78 Jimmy Full Roof Removed

[Whistley]

I am looking at purchasing a 1978 Jimmy that has had the "professionally removed full roof conversion". Now I can tell you it looks like they did the work cleanly but is there any thing I should look for that would indicate issues with them doing this. I know this can be hard on the structure of the body.

PS. This is a Woodward dream cruise type of truck, not a mudder...

 

[nvrenuf]

Aside from the obvious rust, poor body work, etc the only thing I can think of would be the body tub sagging. I'd check how well the doors open & close and look for dragging that might be caused from the door opening trying to close in.

Does it have a hard top? If so, is it on the truck? I think it'd be a good way to check for gaps and such created where they cut and capped the "B" pillar and also across the windshield frame.

 

[Whistley]

Thanks for the input,

Yes it does have the hard top installed (would be ordering a soft top in the near future) and from what I can see with the top on there are no noticeable issues where they capped the b pillar and modified the windshield frame. Just worried because this just seams too good to be true for the price... Was looking at later models but this is becoming hard to pass up.

 

[RivMan]

I believe I found the truck you're looking at, and it looks ok. It doesn't appear to have any additional bracing in the floor to make up for the loss of the roof structure, so it may have some issues with the cowl being loose. If it's the one I'm looking at, I wouldn't pay the $17k their asking, it's nice, but it isn't that nice!

-Rob

 

[Whistley]

I believe I found the truck you're looking at, and it looks ok. It doesn't appear to have any additional bracing in the floor to make up for the loss of the roof structure, so it may have some issues with the cowl being loose. If it's the one I'm looking at, I wouldn't pay the $17k their asking, it's nice, but it isn't that nice!

-Rob

I'm thinking that's the one, and I wouldn't pay that price either. Verbally that has come down. It does have a roll bar but its hard to see if it attaches to the a-pillar. I cant find any without rust for lower than 20K and rust is the only thing I'm not willing to tackle . I plan on driving out there this weekend to look it over. These things are becoming harder to find. I was also looking at a red 71 in that same area but they aren't budging on that price. I shouldn't have sold my 87. I will have something show ready by Woodward 2018

 

[RubberFloorMat]

I'd buy the cleanest one you can fine and cut it yourself. Almost did that with a 78 until I lucked into a real 75 full top