When my wife was 17 in 1992 she got a Ratical convertible top kit, Ratical Ground effects and UFO under glow light kit for Christmas. Her dad was a streetrodder but she loved Mini trucks. They had bought a hardbody for her and that was to be the build. Life lives quick and the lil dream truck never got built. Fast forward to last winter in New Year’s Eve. We were waiting for The ball to drop and she saw a mini on tv. Suddenly she was like, “I have all this stuff out at my parents in the garage!” She started telling me what was there and I was in disbelief. All this stuff had been stored in in-opened boxes like a time capsule. One thing led to another and here we are present day waist deep in a custom mini build. I’ve cut the roof and everything is ready to be glued, but I’m really glad I found this video because it’s not too late to make that mod to prevent the waterfall. Thank you! For over a year I’ve looked for some kind of video explaining how these tops are done and your video has just saved me. Awesome job, wish you would do an exact step by step but I’ll take what I can get. You just got a new sub as well. Great work!!!!!
Great Video! I’ve been looking for a convertible top kit for my 2003 Chevy s10 but can’t find any, would this kit work for my truck? Or where would I be able to find one?
I watched tour vids on installing this top a couple years ago. My top is done now and I gotta say, had I not found tour videos, it would have been a much more difficult process. Thank you! Keep up the great content!
Your solutions are fantastic! I don’t have a truck project but I want to create a removable hard top on a convertible Smart Fortwo 08. The removable roof frame is there. Just need to tack on a metal sheet to be the roof.
I was never into the ricers but me and a few buddies did a ratical tops conversion on my 87 S-10. I ended up rolling the truck and started rebuilding it but never got redone. Was a good 3 years while driving it though. I also bought an s-10 roller roadster some years ago.
Just came across this video! Thank you for making this! I’m 30 years old and I’ve loved the old school mini truckin stuff for the last few years. Always wanted to see how these kits were installed. Just picked up an 85 XtraCab 2WD to mess around with next to my 87 XtraCab 4x4. Would love to find an old school Targa kit for my 2WD.
Airbagit.com used to sell the kits. Now they sell the bows for the kit. Just not the removable top portion. But I think somebody handy with custom work can make that happen.
You should think about a sliding rag top for your x-cab. Looks sick! And with the x-cab, you could open up a LOT of roof, real estate, without worrying about leaking like the targa top. Just a suggestion!
Cool Nissan Hardbody and good instructional video. I still dig old-school minis with static-dropped suspension, 15" rims and such. My brother had a magazine feature quality Nissan 720 in high school. I felt so cool ridin' with him in it. Fun stuff.
Been looking for a video like this since a kid . Love the info, step-by-step. Super well explained. Huge thank you!! Looking forward for more of these videos. Shout out from SoCal Oxnard #MiniTruckinIsntDead
Nice idea on the door window frame, i done convertible and targa tops, what I use to seal glass on door is the rubber from a 1980s camaro and it worked, i tried using both radical kit and sunshine kits. Dont know if sunshine kits still around , nice work.
This is such a great video and information. Hope you make more. I'd love to see suicide doors on that s10. Hopefully you'll add more videos as you progress onto your build. Happy mini truckin brother!
So glad you posted this video. I have a OG radical kit for my 79 toyota and I really needed some of these tips . Mine did not come with latches or weather striping etc. Just the plastic. Thank you guys so much. Subscribed and 👍!
GREAT, EXCELLENT VIDEO! THANK YOU! Questions: A) The measurements you stated, for the S-10, for the cuts, same on the Nissan Hardbody? (I have a 93 Hardbody) B) Any possibility of you uploading another video on what you did for seatbelts now that your top mounting point is gone? C) Any chance of another video going into more detail of permanently mounting your cut window components to the removable roof? I seen you used self taping screws as a stopper/spacer , and longer screws to secure the two pieces. Is that all you used to line the pieces up, and to secure them to one another? Thank you!! And again, GREAT VIDEO! I can't wait to do mine. You have given me confidence that this is something I can do without ruining my truck.
Excellent video, however can you point me in the right direction? I have 99 ranger standard cab I’d love to do this to, but can’t find any kits past 92 please help
Super Cool Video , i like the look of the Convertible top on a Mini Truck oddly enough when Dodge came out with their Factory Convertible i was suprised you didn’t see many more of them on the road now i am from SouthFlorida and i’ve owned 7 different Converibles typically with Converibles the manufactures strengthen the Frame or Unibody structure to stop flexing out of curiosity why doesn’t the S10 Frames need any ?
Unibody vehicles need bracing because they don’t have an actual full frame. The body and sub sections are the frame and if you cut into that, it weakens it. Fill frames are strong enough.
First off, awsome video, 2nd, where can I get a kit for a Mazda B2200 3rd, my drip rails are on the outside above the door line. Would the rubber on the door still be a good barrier for water if its cut?
Nice video..im 54 now.i want to get a short bed mazda b2000 short bed and get the top cut off like your video.who makes a kit thats good in california area.that door leak fix is awesome.
Thanks for the kind words. The only place I know of that sells remaining leftover inventory is airbagit.com. They still have kits for select model trucks. Hit me up with any questions. And keep ‘em low my friend. 😁👍🏼
Thanks for that , where was you back in the 90s lol good content Minis are making a comeback keep up the content and your channel should do well, i just subscribed
I have a97 s10 ext cab iam wanting to chop the roof.. any tips before I attempt to cut the roof besides what you state in your video..I don't want the body to warp or anything considering chopping it might make it weak..any help is appreciated
hey fella's I liked your custom chevy s 10 converted top model question do guys know of a kit for a early 1995 ford ranger mini truck thanks my name is omar
Great video with alot of info! That looks like a great kit though I would certainly do alot of modifications to some of those plastic pieces to bring in for a tighter cleaner look.
Wow I haven't seen mini trucks done this way in years happy to see it's still alive. I would need a kit for a 2002 Dakota R/T xtra cab. Do they make a kit fir this truck?
When I do my Hardbody, I am. My cousins Mazda B series was convertible, and after SLAMMING the doors for years with no cab brace behind the seat, the door pillars stared to warp inward a little. Made it hard to shut the doors.
@@nemosfate My cousin used a piece of 1.5" square channel steel. The steel electricians use to hang stainless steel electrical pipes in warehouses/plants. He welded a upper and lower piece on his back cab wall. Very top, and very bottom. It looked like the (top) of a "H" welded in behind his seat, along the top and lower back wall of his cab. No more cab flex after that.
@@nemosfate No worries. In the video below (@ 1:27), you can see the 2x4 they used to keep the cab square "Before" cutting the top. ruclips.net/video/x5GCwqgAjUs/видео.html I will most likely just weld my braces in before I cut anything as well.
I hope this can be done on 10th gen f150's. I'm a fan of you guys now! Well done video keep it up keep making them vids.. you guys are all great together. I watched this entire video n was hooked. I'm a house painter but I love working on my cars and trucks whenever I have time and I stumbled upon this video bc I just seen the new 2022 F150 stock convertible coming out later this year. Yes I said F-150 is coming out with a convertible but it's not hard top for some stupid reason they made it soft top
I only removed my bed because I was getting it ready for a dump bed. I cut the top on that aqua Hardbody with the bed in place. You don’t need to move the bed at all. You’re good to go.
Saw your video S15 convertible it was just what I was waiting for someone to do thank you! It is awesome. One question can that be done to a S15 extended cab to?
Thank you. It can be done sort of. They used to sell a kit that had a fiberglass top with it. But it’s no longer available. If you are handy with a cutter and welder, you can still do it without a kit. Many have been made this way.
You can but it isn’t necessary. Those trucks have an external rain gutter so it won’t make a difference. For those trucks you need to make sure both roof bows are siliconed up on the edges and your rubber gasket that goes on your roof sandwiched between the 2 bows extends out as far as you can go side to side overlapping your door. The rain will follow that out and down dripping past the window.
I wish they made it for my truck. The "industry" completely ignored the 84 and earlier Mazda B2000's. It gets weary customizing everything from scratch.
had a buddy with an s10 back in the 90s with a convertible roof kit done.his gf was driving one day and got hit by another car..........the roof came off and the bucket seats were not bolted down and one flew out. she just broke her leg luckily.after that i rolled my geo tracker in 98 and was paralyzed. be careful out there boys
I love the window frame mod. Wish I had known about it 30 something years ago. What did you use for window tracks? That was a big issue when I did mine in the late 80s. Also did you reinforce the back cab wall?
When my wife was 17 in 1992 she got a Ratical convertible top kit, Ratical Ground effects and UFO under glow light kit for Christmas. Her dad was a streetrodder but she loved Mini trucks. They had bought a hardbody for her and that was to be the build. Life lives quick and the lil dream truck never got built. Fast forward to last winter in New Year’s Eve. We were waiting for
The ball to drop and she saw a mini on tv. Suddenly she was like, “I have all this stuff out at my parents in the garage!” She started telling me what was there and I was in disbelief. All this stuff had been stored in in-opened boxes like a time capsule. One thing led to another and here we are present day waist deep in a custom mini build. I’ve cut the roof and everything is ready to be glued, but I’m really glad I found this video because it’s not too late to make that mod to prevent the waterfall. Thank you! For over a year I’ve looked for some kind of video explaining how these tops are done and your video has just saved me. Awesome job, wish you would do an exact step by step but I’ll take what I can get. You just got a new sub as well. Great work!!!!!
I did the same on a Toyota, except I welded the top halves to the top and the a pillar. I'd suggest welding
Always a pleasure to see a dude who really knows what he’s talking about sharing that wisdom on youtube. Great video, great work, keep it up!
Ok I also loved this video. Best roof cutting guide I've ever seen! Your knowledge and experience really shows! Thank you for sharing!
Great Video! I’ve been looking for a convertible top kit for my 2003 Chevy s10 but can’t find any, would this kit work for my truck? Or where would I be able to find one?
It's good to see guys like this keeping mini truckin alive this video is awesome 💪
Excellent video 👍 I watched the whole thing without fast forwarding at all.
I watched tour vids on installing this top a couple years ago. My top is done now and I gotta say, had I not found tour videos, it would have been a much more difficult process. Thank you!
Keep up the great content!
Thank you my friend.
Your solutions are fantastic! I don’t have a truck project but I want to create a removable hard top on a convertible Smart Fortwo 08. The removable roof frame is there. Just need to tack on a metal sheet to be the roof.
I was never into the ricers but me and a few buddies did a ratical tops conversion on my 87 S-10. I ended up rolling the truck and started rebuilding it but never got redone. Was a good 3 years while driving it though. I also bought an s-10 roller roadster some years ago.
Just came across this video! Thank you for making this! I’m 30 years old and I’ve loved the old school mini truckin stuff for the last few years. Always wanted to see how these kits were installed. Just picked up an 85 XtraCab 2WD to mess around with next to my 87 XtraCab 4x4. Would love to find an old school Targa kit for my 2WD.
Airbagit.com used to sell the kits. Now they sell the bows for the kit. Just not the removable top portion. But I think somebody handy with custom work can make that happen.
You should think about a sliding rag top for your x-cab. Looks sick!
And with the x-cab, you could open up a LOT of roof, real estate, without worrying about leaking like the targa top.
Just a suggestion!
Cool Nissan Hardbody and good instructional video. I still dig old-school minis with static-dropped suspension, 15" rims and such. My brother had a magazine feature quality Nissan 720 in high school. I felt so cool ridin' with him in it. Fun stuff.
I was just looking to do this over the winter. Was talking about it yesterday then came across this video!
Been looking for a video like this since a kid . Love the info, step-by-step. Super well explained. Huge thank you!! Looking forward for more of these videos. Shout out from SoCal Oxnard #MiniTruckinIsntDead
Just subscribed. This is the best video I've seen. You sir are a tremendous credit to the mini truck community. ✌️
Nice idea on the door window frame, i done convertible and targa tops, what I use to seal glass on door is the rubber from a 1980s camaro and it worked, i tried using both radical kit and sunshine kits. Dont know if sunshine kits still around , nice work.
This is awesome! I've been wanting to do this on my 99' Sonoma.. hopefully there's a kit for it!
This is such a great video and information. Hope you make more. I'd love to see suicide doors on that s10. Hopefully you'll add more videos as you progress onto your build. Happy mini truckin brother!
Jeep wagoneer front door hinges and latches are hands down the best hinges I have ever used and would hold up a building they are so strong
So glad you posted this video. I have a OG radical kit for my 79 toyota and I really needed some of these tips . Mine did not come with latches or weather striping etc. Just the plastic. Thank you guys so much. Subscribed and 👍!
GREAT, EXCELLENT VIDEO! THANK YOU!
Questions:
A) The measurements you stated, for the S-10, for the cuts, same on the Nissan Hardbody? (I have a 93 Hardbody)
B) Any possibility of you uploading another video on what you did for seatbelts now that your top mounting point is gone?
C) Any chance of another video going into more detail of permanently mounting your cut window components to the removable roof?
I seen you used self taping screws as a stopper/spacer , and longer screws to secure the two pieces.
Is that all you used to line the pieces up, and to secure them to one another?
Thank you!! And again, GREAT VIDEO! I can't wait to do mine.
You have given me confidence that this is something I can do without ruining my truck.
There also some other latches I have found that are aviation latches. “Helicopter window latches”
Wish they made a kit for a 2003 Dodge Dakota.Great video.
Just came across this video and i gotta say great info on how to.
When you make your roof line, is it a straight line or do you follow the contour of the windshield? Thanks and great video 2:34
Thank you. You follow the contour of the windshield.
Excellent video, however can you point me in the right direction? I have 99 ranger standard cab I’d love to do this to, but can’t find any kits past 92 please help
Just found this channel nice job on the top. Will there be more videos on the truck? Keep up the great work!!
Thank your. Definitely going to
be doing more videos on the truck.
That looks bad ass , can't wait too see part 2 hopefully 🙏
Super Cool Video , i like the look of the Convertible top on a Mini Truck oddly enough when Dodge came out with their Factory Convertible i was suprised you didn’t see many more of them on the road now i am from SouthFlorida and i’ve owned 7 different Converibles typically with Converibles the manufactures strengthen the Frame or Unibody structure to stop flexing out of curiosity why doesn’t the S10 Frames need any ?
Unibody vehicles need bracing because they don’t have an actual full frame. The body and sub sections are the frame and if you cut into that, it weakens it. Fill frames are strong enough.
First off, awsome video, 2nd, where can I get a kit for a Mazda B2200 3rd, my drip rails are on the outside above the door line. Would the rubber on the door still be a good barrier for water if its cut?
Super dope video guys. 😎👍🏾👍🏾 I'd like to do this to my 93 GMC Sierra.
Ive got a 89 s15 gmc im doin a minitruck build on, may or may not go this route with it but not sure if i want to cut this one up
Nice video..im 54 now.i want to get a short bed mazda b2000 short bed and get the top cut off like your video.who makes a kit thats good in california area.that door leak fix is awesome.
Thanks for the kind words. The only place I know of that sells remaining leftover inventory is airbagit.com. They still have kits for select model trucks. Hit me up with any questions. And keep ‘em low my friend. 😁👍🏼
I love it! Lots of great info.. only one thing missing.. how did you mount both the window drain pieces to the top and the A- pillar ?
I screwed them in from the backside.
I'd love to see more mini-truck vids!!
Finally found a video on how to do this
Glad to see another minitrucker
Are these similar specs for the 86 Mitsubishi mighty max
Thanks for that , where was you back in the 90s lol good content Minis are making a comeback keep up the content and your channel should do well, i just subscribed
Thank you. I was cutting tops in the 90’s too. Living in South. Carolina. 😁👍🏼
I have a97 s10 ext cab iam wanting to chop the roof.. any tips before I attempt to cut the roof besides what you state in your video..I don't want the body to warp or anything considering chopping it might make it weak..any help is appreciated
Do you install this kit on other people’s trucks? If so what would you charge to install on a 1995 Hardbody ext cab
Do you have any kits for 2004 Silverado single cab been trying to cut my roof
Nice video! Have you done this to car? Wanting to do my Monte but not finding much info.
hey fella's I liked your custom chevy s 10 converted top model question do guys know of a kit for a early 1995 ford ranger mini truck thanks my name is omar
Excellent Video. Could you do a rear power window conversion?
Great video with alot of info! That looks like a great kit though I would certainly do alot of modifications to some of those plastic pieces to bring in for a tighter cleaner look.
Dope! Brings back memories
Did you do anything inside the door panel?
Great video smart hands on dudes. Nice job !
Your work is awesome!
I been a big fan of mini trucks👍
Wow I haven't seen mini trucks done this way in years happy to see it's still alive. I would need a kit for a 2002 Dakota R/T xtra cab. Do they make a kit fir this truck?
Beautiful job i have a chevy full size 1500 i wnt to make a convertable will i have to weld supports for my cab or will it be ok
When I do my Hardbody, I am.
My cousins Mazda B series was convertible, and after SLAMMING the doors for years with no cab brace behind the seat, the door pillars stared to warp inward a little.
Made it hard to shut the doors.
@@PDofLA brace it how? Do you mean a piece of square stock at 45 to the floor or?
@@nemosfate My cousin used a piece of 1.5" square channel steel. The steel electricians use to hang stainless steel electrical pipes in warehouses/plants.
He welded a upper and lower piece on his back cab wall. Very top, and very bottom.
It looked like the (top) of a "H" welded in behind his seat, along the top and lower back wall of his cab.
No more cab flex after that.
@@PDofLA thank you!
@@nemosfate No worries. In the video below (@ 1:27), you can see the 2x4 they used to keep the cab square "Before" cutting the top.
ruclips.net/video/x5GCwqgAjUs/видео.html
I will most likely just weld my braces in before I cut anything as well.
Where can I buy the kit? I have a 1984 Chevy S-10 convertible
Where are you located. And would you consider doing a convertible1991 Mazda b2200 ext cab?
Can this be done on s chevy colorado
Where do you get the actual kit to do it from?
hay do you know if they still make the radical targa top kits for the Nissan king cabs Thanks!!
Dang where are you located this would be awesome for my 82 s10
We’re can I buy ? Or there’s any for a 06 Chevy Colorado. I want to do it to mi Colorado.
I hope this can be done on 10th gen f150's. I'm a fan of you guys now! Well done video keep it up keep making them vids.. you guys are all great together. I watched this entire video n was hooked. I'm a house painter but I love working on my cars and trucks whenever I have time and I stumbled upon this video bc I just seen the new 2022 F150 stock convertible coming out later this year. Yes I said F-150 is coming out with a convertible but it's not hard top for some stupid reason they made it soft top
So glad you made this video! When I cut my Hardbody top will I need to have the bed removed or slid back?
I only removed my bed because I was getting it ready for a dump bed. I cut the top on that aqua Hardbody with the bed in place. You don’t need to move the bed at all. You’re good to go.
Night Stalker Customs awesome thanks! My kit should be here in a few days so hopefully I’ll get to start on it soon.
@@ourpassporttofreedom3987 where did you get your kit.. could you send me the link?
Hey I'm in a wheelchair how much would you charge me to cut it also does it work on all pickups maybe a newer model
I have an 85 Tandem Wheel S-10, the 2 door pieces that you don't use can I purchase them cause im missing one and my truck doesn't have a top ?
Saw your video S15 convertible it was just what I was waiting for someone to do thank you! It is awesome. One question can that be done to a S15 extended cab to?
Thank you. It can be done sort of. They used to sell a kit that had a fiberglass top with it. But it’s no longer available. If you are handy with a cutter and welder, you can still do it without a kit. Many have been made this way.
Can you cut a small window frame (Mazda) the same way as the big window frame trucks?
You can but it isn’t necessary. Those trucks have an external rain gutter so it won’t make a difference. For those trucks you need to make sure both roof bows are siliconed up on the edges and your rubber gasket that goes on your roof sandwiched between the 2 bows extends out as far as you can go side to side overlapping your door. The rain will follow that out and down dripping past the window.
I have a hardbody with this kit, where can I get the replacement door caps and cab back mount that has the dowel pin
I would say your best bet is airbagitcom or else ask on the various Minitruck pages if anyone has a kit or spare let’s.
Were can I find one for a 91 mazda b2200
How much would it cost to build this?
Gangster chris ! Lovin it i love my lo lo.!
I need to know where I can find the dump bed setup
Great job on the video and thank you for sharing !
How do we get ahold of you sir have a few mini truck questions
Great video. Do you have a link to the latches you recommend?
love it wish you were near new jersey to do my truck
I wish they made it for my truck. The "industry" completely ignored the 84 and earlier Mazda B2000's. It gets weary customizing everything from scratch.
What if I don't have the top for the truck
Real nice brother..where do they still sell those kits?
They still sell them for some trucks at airbagit.com
Is there a convertible option for a 2003?
Ah the progressive wheels, brings back much memories!
What company makes the best kit?
Where are y’all located?
Always wanted to do this, I will put this on my to do list
had a buddy with an s10 back in the 90s with a convertible roof kit done.his gf was driving one day and got hit by another car..........the roof came off and the bucket seats were not bolted down and one flew out. she just broke her leg luckily.after that i rolled my geo tracker in 98 and was paralyzed. be careful out there boys
Were can i order a kit from you?
I love the window frame mod. Wish I had known about it 30 something years ago.
What did you use for window tracks? That was a big issue when I did mine in the late 80s.
Also did you reinforce the back cab wall?
Exelent job guys👍🏻.
You do extracab
Can’t wait to see this ride done (subcribed)
Such a great video! Thanks guys!
🔥 love the content.
Thank you my friend. I appreciate you. 😁👍🏼
How much something like this cost
It’s not cheap, I paid $500 and something for my Nissan convertible kit.
I got 90 and 93 isuzu pickups I wanna those old skool wheels
Nice work!
I can’t find a kit anywhere, any help?!
You can find it for most trucks at airbagit.com
I want the shirt you have the low 720s one
I got a D21 mini truck with the top cut I was wondering if u could get ur number or sumn I had sum questions
You can email me with anything you need help with. Combatser@comcast.net
Thank you my man
I have 1974 Datsun I need help
What help do you need?
Grear explanation!
Make more videos on the hardbody
I wañt to buy the kit
Great video