Thread: Removable Hardtop

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I just purchased a custom 41 Chevy Pickup and am playing with the idea of making a removable hardtop. I've searched high and low and done the search feature on the forum but have found no info on doing this. I know a lot of the new mini trucks do it and are quite successful.
I'm looking for articles or advice on doin this. I'd probably use latches like http://www.speedwaymotors.com/product.ASP?wc=true&strBase_List=&hilt=&source=2192&base_no=91007316&str_base_no=000%2DCATALOG+STREE T%2C5501016%2C5501017%2C751A702352%2C751A76819A%2C91004061%2C910045%2C910046%2C91004600%2C91007%2C91 007310%2C91007315%2C91007316%2C91052800%2C91052851%2C91052855%2C91052860%2C91052862%2C91052865%2C911 02510%2C&header_title=Street+Rod+Products%2DHinges+%26+Latches&page_name=prod%5Flist%5Fdisplay%2Easp &search_type=L2%7E423&search_option=&deptsearch=&dept_id=L2%7E423&dept_id_p=&dept_name=&dept_name_p= Street+Rod+Products&ShowImages=yes&sq=0&cont=1&intPgNo=1&redirect=
I'm hoping to go about 3" above the windshield as the first cut. And cut flush with the bed in the rear. I know there are going to have to be weather stripping issues resolved and all sorts of goodies. Looking for advice for a newbie.

Not a single person has anything to say on doing this?

Sounds cool. use pre made latches and. It may look a little funky but, it looks cool on the SSR.

We did a Mini Truck years ago........ It's kinda one of those things ya just gotta do as you go along
We boxed the windsheld frame and across the back of the cab. so we could seal it. We cut the door window frames off the doors and welded them into the top so when the top was removed there was no frames on the doors The frames also had to be cut so as to allow the door to open with the top on and the windows up I can't get the link to open to see the latches you were talking about and I can't remember what we used latches off of the guy that owned the truck got them at the junkyard but not sure from what I think something like a MG

MM64

I can't quite figure out how I would cut the upper part of the doors off so that I could open the door with the windows up. I was just planning on leaving the doors as is. Figured it'd be to much work.

I've seen a lot of old Chevy pickups with removable tops. I've seen a few articles on it in Truckin magazine. None of them left the doors uncut. If it's too much work don't do it. It's easy to make the doors open with the windows up. If you gave it a lot of thought and still can't figure that out then the job is beyond your abilities. The back should be cut at the beltline. Even with the top of the doors. Not even with the bed. The 41 Chevy bed is about a foot below the beltline.
AL

Actually for mine it's about 5" below the beltline . The roof is already chopped 4", body is channelled 4" and the bed narrowed 3".

I sat inside today and tried to just figure it out. I know how I would cut it, but just not sure how good it would look nor how effective. Makes me wish I had a darn mentor for all this. Guess I'll just keep searching.

Framing the rear will be easy enough, but I've come up w/ 3 designs for the front that I'm not quite sure about. Weather stripping is going to have to be my best friend . If I come up with anything ingenious I'll post it.