Convertible

[Altarium]

This is an oddball question... but has anyone done any research on converting a hard top solara to convertible? I own a 2000 solara and I'm just curious to see if it's even possible.

[Gadgetjq]

Originally Posted by Altarium

has anyone done any research on converting a hard top solara to convertible? I own a 2000 solara and I'm just curious to see if it's even possible.

It's "possible" because that's what the Gen I Solara convertibles are. The coupes were sent out to another factory to have the original top cut off and ragtop installed.

That said, it really isn't a practical project for an individual. It isn't just a matter of going after the steel roof with a Sawsall and dropping a bunch of custom hydraulics in the back seat. There's a lot of work done to the frame welding in reinforcements (none too successfully if the "noodle" nickname is accurate), the windshield header is strenghened and a whole lot more including electrical.

Then, when you're finished, you have the added expense of painting the car.

In the end you'd be far better off just to purchase a factory built Solara convertible.

Cheers

[Altarium]

thanks for the info, I was just curious about the differences between the hard top and convertible. I didn't know toyota manufactured them hard top then sent some off to another factory to be switched to convertible.

[Gadgetjq]

Originally Posted by Altarium

I didn't know toyota manufactured them hard top then sent some off to another factory to be switched to convertible.

Only the gen I.

The '04 and later was designed from the get go to be a convertible and (it's my understanding) partly had its own assembly line so it could receive many more spot welds than the coupe, extra bracing underneath and some other tweaks. Even the amplifier for the radio is modified so it uses a different equalization curve depending whether the top is up or down.

Cheers