Full top conversion

[patches85]

Hey guys I just scored a 74 blazer for 50 bucks. It's scrap but I just want the rears and the top and the window pillar. I have a bunch of questions though. How hard is this to do , I am a pretty good fabricator and have access to al the tools I need , are there year specific doors or do I just modify the doors I have , do I have to strengthen the bed sides in the front of my 85. Maybe my question was a little vague I want to make my 85 a full convertible. Has anyone done this and what problems will I encounter? Any pics and input would be great. Thanx

 

[84gmcjimmy]

Search, there was a thread on this topic a few days ago...

 

[patches85]

I did search but there was not enough info for me

 

[84gmcjimmy]

here are a few...
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136058&highlight=convertible+conversion
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113044&highlight=convertible+conversion
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95370&highlight=convertible+conversion
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93681&highlight=convertible+conversion

For the doors, you can use some off of the 1st gen k5's that already had a rull top..or you can hack yours, which of course will be more work. Bedsides should be okay, but you will have to add a rollcage or something to strengthen the front around the windsheild, it will sag since it doesn't have the rest of the roof supporting it.

 

[patches85]

Thanx a ton man!!! I didn't find those searches.My next problem is the hardware for the doors. The donor has cut 76 up doors on it with nothing done to them. The body on the donor is scrap. I can,t complain though Im getting the rears and transfer case too for 50 bucks, also a good windshield. Also found another top for free just have to pick it up .

 

[HarryH3]

Doors from a 1st Gen won't fit a '74.

But doors from '73-87 pickups, '73-'91 K5's (or the front doors from Suburbans) will work. The factory doors on the '74 were just cut versions of the pickup doors.

 

[84gmcjimmy]

Doors from a 1st Gen won't fit a '74.

But doors from '73-87 pickups, '73-'91 K5's (or the front doors from Suburbans) will work. The factory doors on the '74 were just cut versions of the pickup doors.

Alright thanks for correcting me.

 

[tRustyK5]

Upper and lower door caps can be found at www.lmctruck.com

Rene

 

[73k5blazer]

The 73-75 doors for blazer/jimmy have re-inforcments in the rear by the door handle to compesate for the lack of window frame. These ones I cut out of my old original doors welded in my new ones, which had to be cut for the 73-75 style.
Without these, when you go to pull the outside door handle, the door is really flimsy.

Like

 

[patches85]

Where can I get those?

 

[73k5blazer]

If your new 74 has doors, you have them, you jus tneed to carfully cut them out. That is if you plan on replacing the doors.
Otherwise, it's a fab job...