4 door sedan to 2 door hardtop conversion questions!

[Belvedere sweden]

Hi
I have been looking at 2 door sedan conversions and I'll recon thats the way I had thought to go. But now I have bought doors from a 2d hardtop, doors are hard to come by overhere. So I was came to think of some things..

I know the routine about moving the b-pillar/changing the body panels etc. But if I convert to hardtop instead of a 2d sedan, how are the hardtop weatherstripping fastened against the body?? Skrew in och just push in place, like the sedan has?? Are there anything that differs from an ordinary 2 door sedan conversion? I guess the quarter glass and window regulators and b-pillar are obviously a little diffrent.

Any parts from a 1963 Dodge dart hardtop that may fit?? Different bodystyle (A-body), yet the roof area looks alot like mine..On picture atleast!

Got any tips, idees or anything good to know?

My car is a 1963 4 door sedan Belvedere, already got hardtop doors. Know of a hardtop body (empty shell) that I could cut up. Also, old dodge darts are easy to come by in Sweden. Got Ideas of parts that may fit??

Best regards - Peter from Sweden

 

[tpodwdog]

let me get this straight....you want to make a 4 door, into a 2 door ? wouldnt it be easier and make alot more sense to just find a 2 door? WOW... i really dont know where you guys get these ideas from...

you asked for tips....so heres a tip....find a 2 door!:headbang:

 

[Black63]

let me get this straight....you want to make a 4 door, into a 2 door ? wouldnt it be easier and make alot more sense to just find a 2 door? WOW... i really dont know where you guys get these ideas from...

you asked for tips....so heres a tip....find a 2 door!:headbang:

He's in Sweden...might not be a lot of 2 doors to find over there!
Besides...there have been a LOT of conversions done to 4 doors and its actually a fairly well documented job here on B bodies!

I found a shop site a little while back where the owner seems to do a lot of those conversions.
Heres a link to the projects page...he might be able to offer some insight.
Then again, he might not even want to talk to you! I don't know!!! LoL

http://www.customautorestoration.com/Projects.html

 

[tpodwdog]

just seems like alot of needless cuttin, choppin, and weldin' fittin' grindin' ...why do you guys take things so negatively ? the man asked for tips, and i gave him one,,,,whats the problem ?

 

[68sportsatelliteragtop]

just seems like alot of needless cuttin, choppin, and weldin' fittin' grindin' ...why do you guys take things so negatively ? the man asked for tips, and i gave him one,,,,whats the problem ?

It's all about what your abilities are. If you can do these type of conversions, then it is a challenge for you. I wouldn't dream of cutting into one because I know I don't have the skills or talent to do it. I can appreciate the talent involved in a job like that and if you have never seen what Black 63 is working on, take a look. http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?17717-Rust-revival

That project is a serious piece of work! A whole lot more than a "Deluxing" job!LOL.....

 

[tpodwdog]

im gona start charging you guys for using my 'deee-luxxxxin it up " phrase .!:glasses9:

 

[Lenny Arsenault]

Like Black63 said he is from Sweden and were not talking Sweden, Pa. might not be another 2 door in the country and for some people it is an easier task to perform than others can.

 

[70Gtx]

Very easy To Do! I have less than 10 hours in my conversion to get it to this point.

 

[Stumper]

Lots of 4 to 2 door conversions going on as decent 2 door bodies disappear - even here in the States. I've seen it done to a number of early B body cars online here, in magazines and in person. When you are faced with trying to rebuild a rotted out hull that needs, everything replaced vs a solid 4 door that just needs a conversion it can be a no brainer. Heck I've been thinking about doing it myself and I have a completed, award winning, 4 door show car...

 

[hammond472]

Mustang coup to fastback, Firebird to Camaro, 4 to 2 door an hardtop to convertible conversions sound crazy but down the road we will be seeing a lot more of these as the prices for the real deal just keep going up and the cars and parts evaporate. At least the guy has a Mopar and some fab skills. Here in the states this stuff sounds crazy to most of us as we have tons of these but down the road we will be in the same boat. This is a sad look into the future. Now the conversion that I fear is being forced to change from gas to electric.

 

[Bull1tt]

The roof of a 63 B-body hardtop and sedan are the same. As long as you use all 63 (B-body) parts for the conversion, you will be okay. Doors for the 63-5 cars are the same on the outside skin, but the door latches and strikers change for the 64-5 cars, as did the roof style for two door hardtops.

 

[Cranky]

63 'A' body Darts are way different than the B body cars and nothing that I know of will interchange.

And here's a pic of a car that you just can't find in the 2 door body style because they didn't make em!

 

[Belvedere sweden]

63 'A' body Darts are way different than the B body cars and nothing that I know of will interchange.

And here's a pic of a car that you just can't find in the 2 door body style because they didn't make em!

Thanks for the info everybody. The problem is that there only are around 13 plymouth 63's in Sweden. Some two door, most 4 door sedan and these cars in good condition makes big bucks over here. Often to the point that they get exported back to the US because of car collectors havein big bucks over there.

I'm doing some heavy rust work on my own belvedere and the doors are totally rotten. I have found 4 door sedan doors but they are expensive, but also found and bought hardtop doors for 120$ each here in sweden. That combined with my neighbor having a 1964 factory light weight fury and the fact that I got the original rust free rear fenders except b-pillar area makes it alot more interesting to do a conversion. (he's making a pro-touring hemi racer and couldnt find any room for the rear tires ). I think I can get the fury interior from him to put in mine and I already have the engine/trans in a barn waiting for summer.

My metal abilities are way above average compared to usa standards. So the welding and metalcrafting is not any problem at all. The hardest is finding metalparts and modell specific parts. Like hood, seats, interior etc.

My own Belvedere was imported to sweden 1966 and served as a daily driver until 1976 when the salty winters and a collision with a sign pole made the owner put it in a barn for 34 years. It ended up with me after the owner thought the car was to rusty. Gonna update my project page as soon as the winter lets go over here. Now I'm collecting info and parts. And I'm importing another car to Sweden this spring, a 1969 amc Javelin Big bad orange edition. I already have a 1971 Javelin SST with 401/T10 that I work on.

I have made a earlie post on the forum regarding basic 2 door conversions. The thing this time is that I am wondering about a 2d hardtop conversion on my 63 since I already have much of the metal parts. And I have thoughts about roof rail weatherstripping and other hardtop specific things..

And I'm not so easy offended, so I got the jokes above. *LOL*

You know US Navy Seals only got there *** kicked by one country's special forces.. Sweden.. *LOL* :icon_eyes:

Best regards - Peter from Sweden

 

[ply64post]

Doors

The roof of a 63 B-body hardtop and sedan are the same. As long as you use all 63 (B-body) parts for the conversion, you will be okay. Doors for the 63-5 cars are the same on the outside skin, but the door latches and strikers change for the 64-5 cars, as did the roof style for two door hardtops.

Peter from Sweden

The angle of the windshield is different on the 64-65 making the vent assembly different also.The 63 vent glass is pointed at the top where the 64-65 are more flat on top.The 63 B-body latches and strikers are the same.The 64-65 B-body latches and strikers are the same.Peter I am doing a 64 Belvedere 4 to 2 dr and if you find a good rust free 2 dr sdn over here the prices are not cheap even for just a roller.I am lucky that I have found 3 rusty 2dr sdn donor cars for parts and have taken advantage because the yard is crushing all the cars.The conversion is not that hard if you have the donor parts. People replace quarter panels,trunk floors,trunk extensions,wheel houses,or any other panel that needs replaceed and don't even second guess it. So the conversion is just another area of the car, I say Gitter Done. I have done a lot of research in the 63-65 B-bodies as to the parts that will work and the parts books.Will help any way I can. Also here are some pictures that may help,I have lots of pics. The hdtp doors can also be converted to sdn doors with no problem.

Jeff

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[Montclaire]

The swap is not as easy as some would make it seem to be. Not if you want to do it right, anyway.

 

[dvw]

The 2 door to 4 door swap though not simple is not all that big ad deal. Plenty of step by step pics online. I believe the sedan window frames can be added to the H/T doors. The doors aren't exact but can be made to work. Use pieces from the rear door frames to lengthen the fronts. I made all these 1/4 pieces. This was my 1st time making patch panels. I say go for it.

I've done so much with so little for so long, I can make anything from nothing.
Doug

 

[ply64post]

4 dr to 2 dr

Hi
I have been looking at 2 door sedan conversions and I'll recon thats the way I had thought to go. But now I have bought doors from a 2d hardtop, doors are hard to come by overhere. So I was came to think of some things..

I know the routine about moving the b-pillar/changing the body panels etc. But if I convert to hardtop instead of a 2d sedan, how are the hardtop weatherstripping fastened against the body?? Skrew in och just push in place, like the sedan has?? Are there anything that differs from an ordinary 2 door sedan conversion? I guess the quarter glass and window regulators and b-pillar are obviously a little diffrent.

Any parts from a 1963 Dodge dart hardtop that may fit?? Different bodystyle (A-body), yet the roof area looks alot like mine..On picture atleast!

Got any tips, idees or anything good to know?

My car is a 1963 4 door sedan Belvedere, already got hardtop doors. Know of a hardtop body (empty shell) that I could cut up. Also, old dodge darts are easy to come by in Sweden. Got Ideas of parts that may fit??

Best regards - Peter from Sweden

Peter

It sounds like you have the ability to do the work you need to do and I am like you, work with what you have!! I don't see why you
can't do a hardtop conversion the roof line is the same on both cars.

Here are a couple sites that may be of use to you.


http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?20375-my-63-2-door-conversion-alterd

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?26525-1964-dodge-2-door-conversion


Jeff

 

[Larry Hensley]

He's in Sweden...might not be a lot of 2 doors to find over there!
Besides...there have been a LOT of conversions done to 4 doors and its actually a fairly well documented job here on B bodies!

I found a shop site a little while back where the owner seems to do a lot of those conversions.
Heres a link to the projects page...he might be able to offer some insight.
Then again, he might not even want to talk to you! I don't know!!! LoL

http://www.customautorestoration.com/Projects.html

For you west coaste guys,Bob Urban has relocated Custom Auto Restorations to Oregon.Contact info still the same.Excellent craftsmanship,great source of info

 

[Jim's Maxie]

i know most of you guys that are considering this project won't want to hear this but,unless you can do it "all" yourself or have someone do it,either way it is a PITA. I can give you names of three different people who have either started and quit or have dreams of starting and never will.

Good luck to the dreamers !!:icon_rolleyes: