Making my Own Convertable 4x4
Thread Starter
4x4 FB in the beginnings
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Frederick, MD
Making my Own Convertable 4x4
Got a running 85 GSL-SE for $50 with plans to fix it for the road...
we all know how plans go sometimes
Got tired of looking at it so i started planning.
It was hit in the rear light and had toe out issues, and no brakes. (i think there is a leak in the lines somewhere.)
that all doesnt matter.
I wanted a 4x4 RX... so i am making one.
I have a Jeep cherokee that was hit, and i am going to be taking the axles out from under that, and using a suzuki samurai transfer case. actually 2 of them back to back, for really low 4wd. using them cause they are really light, and divorse mount so i can hook it up to the output on the rwd trans in the rx.
Broke out the sawzall the other night, and made it a targa top, and it looked goofy, so i choped the rest of.
I have a roll cage bender, so i am going to be making a cage, and putting a wrangler bikini top on for when its nasty weather. Not a real convertable, but hey... i can take the top off, how many others can say thay about their gen 1 ?
here are some prelim pics, and some after no top pics.
its going to be slow, but i'll post up here as i do stuff.
Anyone know of any other 4x4 rx's ?
or gen one converts ?
lemme know, i would like to see.
we all know how plans go sometimes
Got tired of looking at it so i started planning.
It was hit in the rear light and had toe out issues, and no brakes. (i think there is a leak in the lines somewhere.)
that all doesnt matter.
I wanted a 4x4 RX... so i am making one.
I have a Jeep cherokee that was hit, and i am going to be taking the axles out from under that, and using a suzuki samurai transfer case. actually 2 of them back to back, for really low 4wd. using them cause they are really light, and divorse mount so i can hook it up to the output on the rwd trans in the rx.
Broke out the sawzall the other night, and made it a targa top, and it looked goofy, so i choped the rest of.
I have a roll cage bender, so i am going to be making a cage, and putting a wrangler bikini top on for when its nasty weather. Not a real convertable, but hey... i can take the top off, how many others can say thay about their gen 1 ?
here are some prelim pics, and some after no top pics.
its going to be slow, but i'll post up here as i do stuff.
Anyone know of any other 4x4 rx's ?
or gen one converts ?
lemme know, i would like to see.
So little time and money
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 1
From: NorCAL
Innnnteresting. 
Do you plan on making the cage taper in the end like the original body line, or are you going to continue it out like a wagon? (that would be VERY cool)
As for the 4x4 stuff, I don't know what it'll take, but more power to ya. Best of luck!
Do you plan on making the cage taper in the end like the original body line, or are you going to continue it out like a wagon? (that would be VERY cool)
As for the 4x4 stuff, I don't know what it'll take, but more power to ya. Best of luck!
Thread Starter
4x4 FB in the beginnings
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Frederick, MD
The Plans are to keep only what is needed and tube frame the rest.
No plans for a motor swap. i want a rotary thats fuel injected for rock crawling.
and 13b does the job.
cant go wrong for $50, Plus the sawzall is fun.
Keeping the Motor and all interstructure up front, ditching all the sheet metal
keeping the firewall with all the goodies in the dash.
keeping the floor pan, and the seats.
Here is a Quick Drawing of whats going to be left before i start the cage.
Tubing all around that and then a cage built off the same design on my race car, minus the nascar bars.
4 Link Suspension
Coil Overs
35" swampers Probably.
We'll see what parts come availible as i need them, that the best way to build, and the cheapest.
No plans for a motor swap. i want a rotary thats fuel injected for rock crawling.
and 13b does the job.
cant go wrong for $50, Plus the sawzall is fun.
Keeping the Motor and all interstructure up front, ditching all the sheet metal
keeping the firewall with all the goodies in the dash.
keeping the floor pan, and the seats.
Here is a Quick Drawing of whats going to be left before i start the cage.
Tubing all around that and then a cage built off the same design on my race car, minus the nascar bars.
4 Link Suspension
Coil Overs
35" swampers Probably.
We'll see what parts come availible as i need them, that the best way to build, and the cheapest.
Last edited by SlowmoSU; Aug 12, 2004 at 07:52 AM.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,972
Likes: 37
From: Ottawa, Soviet Canuckistan
Dude, you could sell that sunroof for more than you paid for the car! And you don't need it anymore 
I know a guy who wants it, if you're interested, PM me
Jon
I know a guy who wants it, if you're interested, PM me
Jon
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Full Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 203
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From: NC
I see the jeep and blazer in the background, and being a jeep owner and offroader myself as well, I just have to ask... Why not just make a tube buggy? Looks like from the pics you're going to be tubing most of it anyway. You could make a good profit selling all those GSL-SE parts such as engine, tranny, rear end, etc. That unibody without reinforcement minus the roof isn't something you'd want to take offroad. Just food for thought, do your thing man
I got a thing for silver
I got a thing for silver
Ryan
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, Ca 323/213/818/626
Full Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: B.C., Canada
I have done a convertable conversion to a 1stGen, check out my posts etc., there a couple of pics on this site, and a more detailed writeup/pics on RX7City.com where the car is the "featured car".
You have to brace/beef up the roofless unibody pretty soon or that car will be folding in the middle, even with just it's own weight.
You have to brace/beef up the roofless unibody pretty soon or that car will be folding in the middle, even with just it's own weight.
Thread Starter
4x4 FB in the beginnings
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Frederick, MD
i dont want to part it out.
I'll sell the rear end. im not using that.
and the sunroof.
and some other misc pieces once i get done cutting.
i want to be different.
so i am using the motor and tranny
keeping the dash.
keeping the inner fenders, ditching the fenders,
keeping the cowl, ditching the hood and front bumper.
moving the rad to the back
I am using this, cause thats what i have. and was cheap.
i dont want to make a FULL tube frame, cause that takes too much time and tube to make a engine cradle. why not use the one i have and just wrap some tube around it.
i am not worried about it folding like a taco, cause i am not using the car as it is right now.
just the front section, and tubing the rest.
i just figured for being original i would get some style points. (not making a entire tube frame, and not using a american v8 or v6 or a yota 4 banger, or ANY jeep, like almost everyone else
I'll sell the rear end. im not using that.
and the sunroof.
and some other misc pieces once i get done cutting.
i want to be different.
so i am using the motor and tranny
keeping the dash.
keeping the inner fenders, ditching the fenders,
keeping the cowl, ditching the hood and front bumper.
moving the rad to the back
I am using this, cause thats what i have. and was cheap.
i dont want to make a FULL tube frame, cause that takes too much time and tube to make a engine cradle. why not use the one i have and just wrap some tube around it.
i am not worried about it folding like a taco, cause i am not using the car as it is right now.
just the front section, and tubing the rest.
i just figured for being original i would get some style points. (not making a entire tube frame, and not using a american v8 or v6 or a yota 4 banger, or ANY jeep, like almost everyone else
Thread Starter
4x4 FB in the beginnings
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Frederick, MD
Found another Rotor powered 4x4
http://members.home.nl/johanccc/lj-80_pictures.htm
also, i dont need that much torque, i am going to be rock crawling, not mud bogging.
and it will only weigh like 1200-1500 lbs
http://members.home.nl/johanccc/lj-80_pictures.htm
also, i dont need that much torque, i am going to be rock crawling, not mud bogging.
and it will only weigh like 1200-1500 lbs
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 257
Likes: 1
From: Stony Point NY
Hello "SlowmoSU ""
Your idea of a 4x4 is a neat one...I was almost ready to turn the wrench on my81 a few months ago and make it a 4x4 but never had time.
Although in the "get ready" stage i fabricated all that i needed.
So now i have all the following parts and need sell them..
1 Mazda 4x4 tranny with cutom bellhousing shifters etc to attach to a 13B
2. attached transfercase
3 rear and front driveshafts.
4 NEW oem rear dana 40
My idea was to make it a AWD car and run with the DSM or subarus..
Also Suzuki transfer cases are going to be a problem..they snap with samurai engines imagine a rotary?
Also your mazda rx7 tranny has to low of a first gear (3.62)..you need a rock crawler first and a compairable 2nd.
If anyone is interested in a 4wd tranny for your rx7 email me at jonathan@c2ctech.com
Regards
Jonathan
Your idea of a 4x4 is a neat one...I was almost ready to turn the wrench on my81 a few months ago and make it a 4x4 but never had time.
Although in the "get ready" stage i fabricated all that i needed.
So now i have all the following parts and need sell them..
1 Mazda 4x4 tranny with cutom bellhousing shifters etc to attach to a 13B
2. attached transfercase
3 rear and front driveshafts.
4 NEW oem rear dana 40
My idea was to make it a AWD car and run with the DSM or subarus..
Also Suzuki transfer cases are going to be a problem..they snap with samurai engines imagine a rotary?
Also your mazda rx7 tranny has to low of a first gear (3.62)..you need a rock crawler first and a compairable 2nd.
If anyone is interested in a 4wd tranny for your rx7 email me at jonathan@c2ctech.com
Regards
Jonathan
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 7,855
Likes: 517
From: Behind a workbench, repairing FC Electronics.
Originally Posted by Goopy
Hello "SlowmoSU ""
Your idea of a 4x4 is a neat one...I was almost ready to turn the wrench on my81 a few months ago and make it a 4x4 but never had time.
Although in the "get ready" stage i fabricated all that i needed.
So now i have all the following parts and need sell them..
1 Mazda 4x4 tranny with cutom bellhousing shifters etc to attach to a 13B
2. attached transfercase
3 rear and front driveshafts.
4 NEW oem rear dana 40
My idea was to make it a AWD car and run with the DSM or subarus..
Also Suzuki transfer cases are going to be a problem..they snap with samurai engines imagine a rotary?
Also your mazda rx7 tranny has to low of a first gear (3.62)..you need a rock crawler first and a compairable 2nd.
If anyone is interested in a 4wd tranny for your rx7 email me at jonathan@c2ctech.com
Regards
Jonathan
Your idea of a 4x4 is a neat one...I was almost ready to turn the wrench on my81 a few months ago and make it a 4x4 but never had time.
Although in the "get ready" stage i fabricated all that i needed.
So now i have all the following parts and need sell them..
1 Mazda 4x4 tranny with cutom bellhousing shifters etc to attach to a 13B
2. attached transfercase
3 rear and front driveshafts.
4 NEW oem rear dana 40
My idea was to make it a AWD car and run with the DSM or subarus..
Also Suzuki transfer cases are going to be a problem..they snap with samurai engines imagine a rotary?
Also your mazda rx7 tranny has to low of a first gear (3.62)..you need a rock crawler first and a compairable 2nd.
If anyone is interested in a 4wd tranny for your rx7 email me at jonathan@c2ctech.com
Regards
Jonathan
I have a 1989 B2600i 4x4 that I'm one day gonna throw a 13Bt in... (Way on down the road... No need to start new projects now.) I was wondering what you needed to do to put that 13B bellhousing on? It should just be a simple swap as the Turbo RX-7 and B2600 have the same ribcase tranny.
The 3.7, almost 3.8 first gear along with the 4.3 or 4.44 rear axle makes a decent amount of torque. Put the 2.2:1 4 low on and it's crazy.
Ryan
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, Ca 323/213/818/626
Theres a place here in CALI that does Sand Rails with rotaries. Its called Prowler.
https://www.hi-jumper.com/
useless sorry i didnt find any rotary pics...
https://www.hi-jumper.com/
useless sorry i didnt find any rotary pics...