Suburban with a shell project

[BigBlueBoy]

OK so here is my plan for my new Suburban. I want to make it like a K5, with a removable rear shell. Some people have told be that stupid and you cant do that but where there is a will there is a way. I have come up with a few ideas myself and want to see what input I can get (Good or bad).

Im thinking with a steady hand the "top" could be removed with ease. For the added support that is needed i was thinking of making the rear quarters like a pick ups bed. Weld in some sheet metal and supports and leave a lip to bolt it down like on a K5. For the top I was thinking weld in a "x" cross member but I'm still stuck on a good way to sure up the sides of the "top". then of course change out my barn doors for a rear gate. When its all said and done I think it will be just plain awesome!!!

[beastie_3]

That would be interesting. You would definitely have to strengthen the roof and find a way to remove it. Perhaps a pulley system in the rafters.

[slammed79]

I'm wondering if a K5 top would fit, you could prolly adapt it to work, like the opposite of my barn door blazer project.

[BigBlueBoy]

Ya thats pretty much what I did with my K5. I put for eye bolts in the roof with steel plates and gaskets so I can hook a come-a-long and a chain with tree branch. Hook it up, unbolt and drive away. I want to do that with my Suburban but place the eye bolts in between the roof rack.

[jaredts]

I love the idea, but I think it would be a big project.  I think you'd need a tubular roll cage.

[BigBlueBoy]

Im just going to mimic what they did with the K5. I'm going to my buddy's junk yard today to rip one apart and get a look of what they did to reinforce everything. I will also be taking measurements of a K5 shell. It might be easier to adapt a K5 shell to my Suburban. Just cant wait to have my first K5 Suburban

[jackjeckel757]

sounds like a difficult project, but I would really like to see it when it's done!

[Da67goatman]

My dad g=has been trying to get me to graft the removable part onto my burb, I keep telling him its more work than its worth. 

[BigBlueBoy]

To have the first K5 Suburban will be more then worth it. And if i can actually use a K5 Blazers to it wont be to hard. If I cant the biggest trick will be reinforcing the top and still making it look clean. Though I am thinking of the roll cage idea as well. If I add a roll cage I could get away with a lot less reinforcements, just enough so that it does rock in the wind.

[Lt.Del]

Convertible type vehicles are engineered with more strength in the frame.  Removing a top off of a non-convertible vehicle will sacrifice strength that has been engineered in the roof.

[KY..Rob]

SgtDel, Makes a good point. I'm kinda along the lines of Jaredts, Maybe a Half roll cage behind the second row seating, and cut the top from that point back. Maybe after taking your measurements on the K5 top you could reinforce the roof where the Blazer top would meet it, Let it overlap a little for weather stripping. Just some thoughts.

[BigBlueBoy]

Yes that's what I was saying. The easiest way may be like he said use a half cage. It would more then sure up the frame I would think. But that's just yet another aspect that I have to figure out.

[wildcatjason]

This is an old post I know, but if you have made any progress or have any pictures. It would be cool to see. I am not convinced you would have to strengthen the frame of a full frame truck to turn it into a convertible. I can't think of a full frame newer convertible car they are all unibody and to be concerned over the frame of a truck is probably just a little over the top. Now reinforcing the body lines would be a good idea or if you're afraid of possible rollover, but that's a possiblity in any convertible. I need my 3rd row right now, but I have been thinking of a possible blazer conversion or a quad cab truck conversion, but for now my wife would kill considering I haven't quite completed my cummins conversion.

[gharris79]

Did you ever do this? I found a build that someone has where they took and grafted a Blazer rear into a Suburban. Here's the link.
http://www.warn.com/blog/2011/02/08/warn_employee_rig_kalanis_blazurban.shtml