fbs63
Well-Known Member
Anyone do this conversion? I have 2dr sedan doors and quarter window frames. Just wondering what else is needed. Any pics?
I did it the other way- went from 4 door station wagon to a 2 door hardtop wagon(62 Dodge) I found it very easy although it took some time and I've never done body work before. yours should be easier as you dont have to change door opening. I had to remove the B pillar post install the hardtop doors and then install the quarter panels.Anyone do this conversion? I have 2dr sedan doors and quarter window frames. Just wondering what else is needed. Any pics?
no I sure dont. threw them away when I built the car in the 90's. they came out easy 6 spot welds and they were on the ground.if you have the hardtop quarter panels they should have the post built in?Nice! You don't still have the b-pillars do you? Just realized I would need them also.
Wow,that looks good! I had a dodge 440 wagon and a polara 2 door hardtop,both 63s. I wanted to do that also. Both cars had 383s with automatics. Was surprised to find the same wheelbase for both. But it didn't work out. Hey, can I ask what engine? I noticed the scoop. So I need to know! ThanksI did it the other way- went from 4 door station wagon to a 2 door hardtop wagon(62 Dodge) I found it very easy although it took some time and I've never done body work before. yours should be easier as you dont have to change door opening. I had to remove the B pillar post install the hardtop doors and then install the quarter panels. View attachment 669347
sedans more closely seen as a drag race car?Ok,... I'll bite. Can I ask why you want to go from Hardtop to Sedan. Usually people want to go the other way and go from Sedan to Hardtop to get rid of the post.
Just curious if there is a reason that you want to change your Hardtop to a Sedan?
you can use lexan just get thicker and add the front trim. I do like trimming weight from the cars, every 100 lbs is a 10th of a second. thinking about back halving the dodge with a 2 x 3 -24" wide frame. ladder bars and coil overs-then it can be tubbed and run funny car tires if I want (don't want). there isa decent shop locally that can do that for me.No, but lexan windows are easier to install in a sedan because of the window frames. The quarter windows will be fixed and the front will operate with a strap like the SS Cuda's and Dart's. DVW did it in his 64 Plymouth sedan and it's really nice and still looks stock.
hangn0ut,Wow,that looks good! I had a dodge 440 wagon and a polara 2 door hardtop,both 63s. I wanted to do that also. Both cars had 383s with automatics. Was surprised to find the same wheelbase for both. But it didn't work out. Hey, can I ask what engine? I noticed the scoop. So I need to know! Thanks
the only dimension needed to determine if the car in question can be interchanged is the diminsion from the A pillar post to the C post in my case changing the 4 door wagon to a 2 door hardtop wagon was checking the distance from the base of the windshield post to the bottom rear most of the back window opening. the two door and 4 door are the same, and the changeover was EZ for me and I had never done body work of any kind before- but I was determined.hangn0ut,
FYI, your 63 Dodge 440 wagon is 116" wheelbase. Your 63 Polara 2-door hardop is 119" wheelbase. Not the same wheelbase. All 62-65 B-body wagons are 116" wheelbase and the 63-65 Dodges were built with Plymouth wheel opening lip 1/4 panels. The tail lamp end cap is the only piece that makes the body shell uniquely a Dodge or Plymouth. There's a lead/solder-filled weld seam just below the rear of the side glass. 63-64-65 Dodge 2-door and 4-door hardtop, 2-door and 4-door sedan, and convertible are the only 119" wheelbase cars. All the rest of the 62-65 generation are 116" wheelbase cars.
Going to be a very fast street-strip car. Want to use lexan windows side and rear. Lot easier to make them stock looking in a sedan.
you guys are fast making me want to turn my dodge into a race car-I had lexan in my 63 Dodge H/T. Car ran a best of 10.15@132. Lexan was only 1/8". Even glued the metal rim on the back of the front glass with clear RTV. They went up and down with a strap. At high speed they would pull away from the weatherstrip. I never even noticed. Someone took a picture going through the traps. Didn't hurt anything.
Doug