Converting a car into a convertible is a challenging procedure and requires a lot of expertise. An expert mechanic can do the conversion without damaging the car frame.
Can You Make Any Car into a Convertible? It is not easy to make any car into a convertible because of the different chassis and frame flexibility, the frame keeps the vehicle intact, complicated pillar cutting, and reduced safety during modifications. However, you can convert a car into a convertible by cutting the B and C pillars, removing the interior, and fitting a retractable roof.
It requires a lot of trimming and cutting. I performed this conversion on my Toyota Corolla, and the results were amazing. Many people do this because new convertible cars are expensive.
Why you cannot convert any car into a convertible?
Converting any car into a convertible is challenging and time-consuming. However, you cannot do it because of the following reasons.
Different chassis
Each vehicle has different chassis stability because of the specific design.
The variable chassis do not allow the structural stability of the frame during the conversion. It can break down, and the vehicle loses its strength to perform at the optimized level.
The structural cracks and damages are irreversible, and you cannot repair them. The different chassis of these vehicles make the conversions complicated and lose their integrity during the procedure.
The standard automobile loses its momentum and frame integrity after the modification and does not change into a convertible.
No flexibility in the frame
The flexibility of the car frame is essential for its cutting and conversion into a convertible. However, a few vehicles have rigid metallic frames with no flexibility.
You cannot cut or modify these frames because they can undergo various damages. They do not remain stable during the cutting and trimming procedures.
They lose stability when you cut the B pillars and C pillars. Therefore, you cannot cut them because of their reduced flexibility, which decreases the possibility of conversion.
Frame keeps the car intact
The car frame keeps it intact and protects the cabin and its amenities. It is the foundation of overall vehicle stability and provides structural support from the bottom.
It can withstand the weight of amenities, doors, engines, and roofs. A few chassis cannot withstand the weight of a retractable roof over the cabin.
They lose their stability and cannot keep the vehicle intact. The increased weight over the chassis can damage it, which leads to mechanical defects.
They are susceptible to more damage when you install a foldable top. Therefore, it is not advisable to convert this vehicle into a convertible because it cannot stabilize after the modification.
Complicated pillars cutting
It requires cutting of C-pillars and B-pillars of the frame. It requires excessive structural trimming with an electrically regulated cutter or machine.
However, incorrectly cutting these pillars can damage the frame and reduce the cabin stability. It loses the standard shape after incorrectly cutting these pillars.
Only professional mechanics can cut these pillars through electrically operated machines. These procedures are complicated and expensive from the standard modifications.
Reduced safety during modifications
You cannot convert old and damaged vehicles into a convertible because their frames are susceptible to cracks and sudden breakdowns. Their cutting can decrease stability, and they fall on the floor.
They detach from the vehicle interior, which decreases the mechanic’s safety. These are heavyweight chassis and cause injuries during their sudden falling conditions.
The foldable convertible tops are heavy, and you cannot put this load on the damaged chassis. They can collapse and cause surface cracks and dangerous accidents.
How can you make a car into a convertible?
A few people convert their cars into convertibles through different modifications, cutting, trimming, and installing a retractable hardtop over the cabin.
I converted my Toyota Corolla into a convertible with the following methods. You can use the steel-based brackets, which come with M10 bolts and withstand the weight of a foldable roof.
Tightening these bolts on the windscreen top and roof is better. You can put them with the C-pillars of the vehicle for better support.
Taking the roof measurements is better before the cutting procedure. Then, you can remove the cabin panels and cut the pillars.
Lining up the mounting brackets is essential to drill the holes. You can drill holes for M10 bolts and stabilize the brackets through tape.
Expanding the holes to 30 millimeters makes the bolt fitting less challenging. You can cut the C-pillar and detach it from the interior.
Then, cutting the B pillars is essential for detaching them from the vehicle cabin. You can remove the seats of the cabin and clear the interior.
The mounting brackets can fit the retractable roof over the cabin. You can put the M10 bolts in the drilled holes and stabilize the top.
Its connection with the vehicle’s electrical circuit is essential for electrically regulated performance. A professional person can perform this conversion with expertise and knowledge.
Why would you convert any car into a convertible?
Generally, the conversion is complicated and takes several days. You can convert your standard cars into convertibles for the following benefits.
For stylish design
You can change your car design by installing a retractable hardtop on its frame. However, the procedure is challenging, and you cannot perform it without the assistance of a mechanic.
But, the conversion makes the vehicles stylish, and their designs become appealing.
The doors and cabin become appealing, and the frame modifies from the standard look. In such circumstances, the resale values of these modified, converted, and stylish vehicles improve.
Upgrading the car
Adding a foldable hard-to-soft top on a standard car is a specific upgrade that makes the vehicle appealing.
The upgrade is not essential, but young individuals change their vehicle frames through conversion techniques.
You can remove their old and fixed roof with the help of a mechanic. Then, it is better to change it into a convertible by upgrading the hardtop over the cabin.
It is one of the most appealing upgrades, which makes the vehicles luxurious and attractive. The upgrade makes them different from their old and boring layouts.
Driving becomes fun
You can open the foldable roof by pushing the car button, which sends electric signals to the hardtops.
Driving freedom increases during top-down conditions on different roads. You can freely fold and open these retractable hardtops, which provide more freedom.
The driving experience improves on city roads because the converted vehicle gives freedom of roof regulation, which appeals to other people.
Is it legal to convert a car into a convertible?
It is legal to convert your car into a convertible. You can drive it in the United States of America because it does not violate standard road safety regulations.
However, it can reduce safety during a crash, but police cannot pull over the drivers for these modifications. They have reduced stability because the foldable roofs are not stock parts of their designs.
They can break down in the middle of a road, which decreases the safety of other drivers. In such circumstances, police can stop and pull over the vehicle drivers and ask them questions about the conversions.
But, police cannot charge drivers fines and punishments because these conversions are legal.
How much does it cost to turn a car into a convertible?
Conversion of a standard car into a convertible is expensive because of the frame modifications. The tools are costly and can cut the B-pillars and C-pillars of the vehicle frame.
The average cost of these conversions varies from $20000 to $42000. The price includes the expense of the retractable roof, which fits on the standard cabin.
The conversion costs do not include the prices of your car. However, frame cutting, trimming, and finishing make the procedures expensive.
The conversion cost with a manually regulated retractable roof is $25000 to $35000. However, the price varies with the type of tools and complexity of the procedure.
You can put an electrically operated foldable roof on its cabin. In such circumstances, the average cost of the procedure becomes $37000 to $45000.
According to their layouts and types, the retractable hardtops cost around $2000 to $4000. Mechanic charges are high to install this foldable hardtop on a car with a fixed roof, which makes the procedure expensive.
These hardtops come with electric wires, staples, rivets, and adhesive material, which make their conversion kits expensive.
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