Removing Convertible Top Completely... For. ever.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, OH
Removing Convertible Top Completely... For. ever. Got a 2000 ss and am wondering if removing the entire, or most of, the convertible top assembly is possible. Well I'm sure it's possible but does it give structure to the car even when it is down? Main reason I am wanting to remove it is, my stupid self left her out in a snow storm and forgot to clean the snow off and what was a newer top got stretched down and separated from the rear window, Also I never have the top up anyways because it is hard to see out of for a taller dude. I have 5 vehicles and a few motorcycles so I dont really have the need to drive it unless the weather permits. Also have plenty of garage space to keep it in year round now. Aside from me not needing or really wanting the top, the weight loss should be decent I would imagine. This again all hinges on if the top actually provides structure preventing me from removing. I could always add a cage/bar to make up for it ehh?!? Also correct me if I'm wrong but dont the verts come with extra bracing underneath? Thought I read that somewhere years ago. Anyways thanks in advance for any replies. Appreciate it.
No structure in the top. There are 2 large pins that attached the hydraulic cylinders to the top, one on each side under the plastic trim. Remove the cylinders, plastic lines and pump as an assembly. Top is attached to the rear of the car with a series of bolts around the bottom bow. That's it.
Make sure you keep the trips short.
Make sure you keep the trips short.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, OH
No structure in the top. There are 2 large pins that attached the hydraulic cylinders to the top, one on each side under the plastic trim. Remove the cylinders, plastic lines and pump as an assembly. Top is attached to the rear of the car with a series of bolts around the bottom bow. That's it.
Make sure you keep the trips short.
Make sure you keep the trips short.
I can't imagine removing the top will help resale value, 99.9% sure it will hurt it. If you don't want the top up because the rear window is busted-out, just put it down and leave it down. You won't save more than 100 lbs in weight by removing the top, pump and mechanism.
The 'verts do come from the factory with a thin metal plate that bridges across under the trans to help stiffen the floor board, but it is nowhere near as structural as a sub-frame connector. A driveshaft loop probably works just as good as the factory bracing (in fact, most loops bolt in place of the bracing).
The 'verts do come from the factory with a thin metal plate that bridges across under the trans to help stiffen the floor board, but it is nowhere near as structural as a sub-frame connector. A driveshaft loop probably works just as good as the factory bracing (in fact, most loops bolt in place of the bracing).
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, OH
I have seen these before and would love to get one if the price was right.
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I can't imagine removing the top will help resale value, 99.9% sure it will hurt it. If you don't want the top up because the rear window is busted-out, just put it down and leave it down. You won't save more than 100 lbs in weight by removing the top, pump and mechanism.
The 'verts do come from the factory with a thin metal plate that bridges across under the trans to help stiffen the floor board, but it is nowhere near as structural as a sub-frame connector. A driveshaft loop probably works just as good as the factory bracing (in fact, most loops bolt in place of the bracing).
The 'verts do come from the factory with a thin metal plate that bridges across under the trans to help stiffen the floor board, but it is nowhere near as structural as a sub-frame connector. A driveshaft loop probably works just as good as the factory bracing (in fact, most loops bolt in place of the bracing).
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Teching In
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
From: east central Indiana
in search of convertible top and frame assembly, and or removal info. Now that is just silly talk, Why would I ever want to sell it? Never going to happen unless I'm dead lol. I do agree with you though but it doesn't bother me, plus I'll just toss all the vert parts in storage in case my future grand kids want to sell it.
I have seen these before and would love to get one if the price was right.
I have seen these before and would love to get one if the price was right.
Banned
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 393
Likes: 55
It is very easy to take off as is the electric motor. Hangs now open from the roof inside my garage. Remove the trim panels and it is obvious. Did so on my 01 SS and carefully used silicone to seal the tonneau cover. We get 310 days of sunshine here (officially). My other cars get driven when it rains. Once all the unnecessary weight was removed, along with the spare tire and jack, I relocated the battery to the tire well. Perfect fit, improved weight distribution.
Banned
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 393
Likes: 55
Got a 2000 ss and am wondering if removing the entire, or most of, the convertible top assembly is possible.the weight loss should be decent I would imagine. This again all hinges on if the top actually provides structure preventing me from removing. I could always add a cage/bar to make up for it ehh?!? Also correct me if I'm wrong but dont the verts come with extra bracing underneath? Thought I read that somewhere years ago. Anyways thanks in advance for any replies. Appreciate it.
Fact: GM added extra bracing only to the 4th gen convertibles, not any other.
This is the current off the shelf solution even with the extra GM braces. UMI weld in SFC for convertibles.
Massive tubular connector welds to the F+R sub frames, optionally welds to a jacking rail welded to the pinch weld under the doors. Completely changes the car with a roll bar into what feels like its carved from a solid block of steel. This photo is NOT mine but an UMI photo. Permanently delete the top, a homage to the first gen Viper.
Last edited by LSX Thunder; Aug 22, 2023 at 02:42 PM.