So I had a large post but when i tried to post i got an error and it all went bye bye.

In a nut shell i love the 1st gen 4runner look, i have 3 in my day. (1 crashed, 2 stolen)
My goal is to end up with a 3rd gen 4Runner with a top that can be on or off.
The liftgate is the tricky part. I figure cut the hatch in half with the top welded to the removable lid. The issue comes up when trying to turn the remaining gate parts into a tailgate with a window that goes up and down. (similar to the 1st or 2nd gen tailgates.

I have called almost all shops in sac to see if they can be creative and they all wont even touch the idea. Looking for any information you folks can share: concerns, ideas, places to get help. i dont have any fabrication experience.
I want to retain the stock look of the 4runner as best i can. keep that in mind when submitting ideas.

I dont want to have anyone tell me this can't be done. Bring a problem, bring a solution.

let the brainstorming begin!

 

Have you seen the mossy oaks build up? that might give ya some ideas.

 

Sorry to hear about your problem posting...

I'm not surprised the body shops won't touch it... it's a pretty big and involved job...
there are a few members who have bobbed their tops completely and one (if I remember) who converted a 2gen to a canvas back....
The roof is structural to the body so removing it completely would weaken it somewhat...
the tailgate would have to be converted to a 1gen type lower half the upper half could remain attached to the top but would have to be remade out of fibreglass most likely to allow for the custom fitting that would be needed. the rear doors would have to be welded shut probably since you would have to loose the upper half of the doors...
it would be very tight but you might be able to install the seat tracks off an xtra cab pick up to allow for rear seat access...
the top itself would be a total custom job... you might be able to use the existing top as a starting point to make a fibreglass mold...
as I said it would be a huge project... you might try to get in touch with a custom coach builder (limo mfg.)

 

Would be cool. And definatly do-able.

Just one concern. Dont be like many other people out there and get in over your head. Start small, learn to do body work, weld, paint, all that fun stuff. Unless you want to pay out the ass for a shop to do it. Which personally i would never do, because then its not something you created.

 

There is at least 1 guy on Pirate4x4 who did this. Check out that site for information about chopping away.

 

yeah i have seen his build up on pirate4x4, those who want to see it search for (exo chop top). He started out great but an dropped roof and rear hatch off a forklift end the thought of it going back on. he fabed a tail gate but it was the equal of a truck gate, no chance for a windowed gate.

i have a feeling this is going to take forever.

 

As sweet as it would be, i am not so ambisious that it will be removed all the way to the front seats. Only the cargo area will have the removable section. this way i can still have and operate my sunroof. with the majority of the roof still intact the overall strength should still remain. Then again i am not an engineer.

 

You want a removable top, and your worried about a operational sunroof.

 

Yes, i would like to keep the sun roof operational. I want to also keep all the doors working so welding the back doors shut is out of the question.

 

With this in mind, I'd do at least a few smaller projects first. Build a bumper or something. IMO having your first fab project be chopping up a 3rd gen is a recipe for disaster. Just saying.

 

I get what you have in mind now you want to make the rear load area removable...
def doable... x2 on welding practice first...

 

i think you looking for something like the honda ridgeline .. lots of work and good luck .

 

dude! i love your avatar!!

 

weird thread bump^^ but good thread. i plan on doing this in the spring.
this is mossyrocks build. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=557102