Suburban convertible

[Hollowman]

I have an '80 Suburban, and was thinking about making a convertible out of it, Blazer style. I've heard rumours about it, but never saw one. If it is at all possible, I would take away the back doors, and make a bed with a lid in the back, behind the rear sofa. Any thoughts or ideas?

[PromiseKeeper]

Someone on here posted some pics of one seen at a car show. I dont remember the details but it was pretty sweet! Maybe do a search to find it or someone with a better memory than mine will chime in?

[PromiseKeeper]

Found it!

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,22372.0.html

[VileZambonie]

I planned to do this to my 91 Suburban before I moved my feet. Maybe one day http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,10372.msg73491.html#msg73491 Right now I use it as a storage shed.

[Hollowman]

That's not a convertible, that's just an Avalanche-copy. 

[bake74]

     The previous thread talked about having to reinforce the roof if cut off a suburban, something about it is made now to support the weight as a one piece, if cut some additional support would be needed.

[VileZambonie]

So you want to make it a hard top or soft top?

[Hollowman]

Well, I don't know! I just got the idea, I don't know if it's a good idea though. 

[gto109]

you could alway use a blazer top on it right?

[velojym]

Or, true convertible style, all the way up to the a pillar... if it's a 4x4 (or you're pursuing the offroad look) would a roll cage be able to provide the rigidity of the missing body parts?

[Hollowman]

The problem is that I want to keep the backseat, or I could just as well chop the roof of a pick-up. A roll cage is out of the question because of that. I could take away the backdoors to make things easier, and I think it would look fine. I don't really want the 4x4 look, since it's just RWD, but about the roof, I would prefer something like this:



Just something to keep the rain out, just in case. 

[VileZambonie]

So you want a soft top all the way up to the windshield is what you are saying right? Here's some pics you can easily photoshop into other creations

[Hollowman]

Oh, thanks! Will do! I will let you know how it works out! I was looking through different files for info about the car, and it seems like it was actually used at a Swedish airforce base far up north from when it was new, until 2007. If I find out more, maybe I will try to get it as close to the original Swedish airforce look as possible.

[bake74]

     I would think it has to be more like a rag top say like on a old bug.  If you completely cut the roof off, I think the 4 doors just sticking there all rounded on the tops would look funny, just my opinion.

[Hollowman]

Sure, the backdoors would have to go! Otherwise I doubt it would look OK.