full convertable flex

[kyle.rj133]

im in the process of converting my 86 k5 into a full convertable. i was wondering how bad will the flex really be without a cage and sliders? i have herd that people cant open doors is there places that you can put supports like under the cab?

im planning on wheeling/daily driver.

 

[72blazerguy]

Just out of curiosity, why would you convert to a full convertible and not run a cage? You can support the cab, but then you would be putting in sliders or something equivalent.

 

[kyle.rj133]

well i would like to put in a cage and someday i will for sure do one but i dont have a tube bender to do it.

 

[brian wafer]

when i did mine i plated the inner rocker with a 1/4 inch by 4 ,4 feet long.and installed a single hoop roll bar at b pillar for safty.drove that way for a while but it flexed too much door wouldn,t open a few times.so i got a muffler shop too bend and L like peace from roll bar to windsheild and bolted where the fibre glass top bolts. ran it that way for a few years ,but didn,t off road to hard.installed a front cage winter 2009.

 

[sweetk30]

http://www.swracecars.com/Files/pdf/CATpg20.pdf

 

[Greg72]

I'll give you ONE piece of advice......install the cage and sliders BEFORE you cut the roof off.

Otherwise there's a good chance you won't even get the doors to open and close even on level ground.

 

[Pizza_Man]

The whole doors not opening thing, that's true. I have a 71 jimmy and right now its topless for summer and its got 6 inches of lift (no blocks) and 35's, and it can flex enough not to be able to open the doors.
Not like it stops anyone from exiting the vehicle though

 

[kyle.rj133]

would i be able to get by with just sliders?

 

[blazinzuk]

On my 73 ( so it had the rocker boxes) I put sliders on it and that helped it alot.

on a buddys pickup we did sliders and later he cut off the top and it seemed not to flex much more

so I thing a good set of sliders welded to the body (this is the key here) would be alright for now. Some bracing back to the floor would probably help too. The more surface area the better

 

[kyle.rj133]

ok thanks