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Long&Low
12-18-2008, 06:30 AM
Ok, with numerous thoughts drifting in and out of my head. I got to thinking. How hard would it be to convertablize a J10 truck? :rolleyes:

Let's assume one could get access to a M715 rag top, pieces and parts. I realize one would have to get the windshield from the M715 mounted on the J10 (and that's probably not an easy task in and of itself), and then also work on grafting the rest of the pieces parts into the cab, lots of cutting, grinding, welding, fitting, cussing, finger cutting and smashing, and beer drinking.

But is it basically do-able (sure with enuff work and time or money anything is do-able)? But is it realistically do-able?

Or would a more realistic approach be, using the cab of an M715 and replacing the J10 cab with the M715 cab?:confused:

I'm thinking cab replacement...as J10 doors would not work with the M715 windshield, plus the myriad of fab work.

Are the cab mounts on an M715 the same as cab mounts for a Jtruck, I'm thinking yes, but for an earlier verions Jtruck, not my mid 80's version, correct?

There is probably no way I can use the M715 bow and convertable pieces with still using the J10 doors and windshield. As the windshiled placement and width are a lot different between the two trucks.:banghead:

Any thoughts? This is probably more of a pipe dream than anything else.

See I'm still tossing the ideas of how to complete my build. I like the idea of the retro older style / farm truck look that I'm working on with my J10. But, I'm liking the idea of an M715. So, do I just deter this project into a bastardized version of a morphed soft top Jtuck?

Or do I stay with my original plan, and then work on picking up an M715 and fixing that up down the road.... You folks with endless stables of FSJs are gonna tell me to opt for this path of delight.

(Random Ravings of a Jeep Nut, and Sophmoric FSJ Fan)

Chrome
12-18-2008, 06:38 AM
Or would a more realistic approach be, using the cab of an M715 and replacing the J10 cab with the M715 cab?:confused:

Consider in then amount of time to do the conversion as to swapping cabs plus with the M 715 cab everything will fit tighter. Not saying that you can not do great fab work just another one of those headaches that comes with altering a vehicle.

As for the look I think it would look pretty cool. I remember back in the late 80's and early 90's when just about every custom truck you saw had a convertible top.

Elliott
12-18-2008, 06:56 AM
Oh I'm sure I still have pics somewhere of that Zebra truck that got whacked here in TX somewhere.... it was ugly. The M715 cab would be the way to go, then you can lay down the windshield and your dash would bolt in too.

Casey
12-18-2008, 07:00 AM
Consider in then amount of time to do the conversion as to swapping cabs plus with the M 715 cab everything will fit tighter. Not saying that you can not do great fab work just another one of those headaches that comes with altering a vehicle.

As for the look I think it would look pretty cool. I remember back in the late 80's and early 90's when just about every custom truck you saw had a convertible top.
I thought about doing 715 windshield on my Chief, but they suck when there are headlamps behind you. It would be cool as all get out tho'.


I had a '74 Datsun p-u with a converted ragtop. Sure was a cute little thing.

FSJ Guy
12-18-2008, 08:30 AM
Just get a 715 cab. Loads easier, IMHO. The only thing you "might" want to swap out is the dash. But some people like the 715 dash. Doors are easily swappable. See my website in my sig file for details.

Yes, headlights reflecting on the windshield is a problem. But that's why the rear window on the soft top is so small! LOL!

Casey
12-18-2008, 09:43 AM
Yes, headlights reflecting on the windshield is a problem. But that's why the rear window on the soft top is so small! LOL!

er...I don't even have a roof. :o




:D

JeepBountyHunter
12-18-2008, 09:54 AM
I've wanted to do that, and liked how one of the J's I parted out and cut down to look like a convertible looked..a friend of mine had a Dodge Dakota convertible..and it was awesome...

AKAMC
12-18-2008, 10:05 AM
How about a removable hardtop? I'd think it would be about as much fab work as swaping cabs and look alot cooler with the top off...

Casey
12-18-2008, 10:19 AM
How about a removable hardtop? I'd think it would be about as much fab work as swaping cabs and look alot cooler with the top off...
I'm going to take the roof off of a junker Honcho and fab it to make a removable half top on my topless Chief.


:rolleyes: Some day.

I'll start by cutting off the roof and leaving it in the 'pile'. :o

Long&Low
12-18-2008, 10:46 AM
How about a removable hardtop? I'd think it would be about as much fab work as swaping cabs and look alot cooler with the top off...

A Roadster may be a good idea. If you could incoporate the side window frames into the top, so you would get a frameless look with the top off.

Tack, Weld, Cut......

skeletor
12-18-2008, 11:49 AM
do you have to fold the windshield down? if not than just cut the top of your cab off, make some sort of rollbar and a top.

Long&Low
12-18-2008, 12:13 PM
do you have to fold the windshield down? if not than just cut the top of your cab off, make some sort of rollbar and a top.

I'd like to be able to use some sort of "factory" parts and not have to custom make anything at anytime I need to replace something. My thinking is there is a FSJ pickup soft top parts out there, why not use them?