swapping a 3rd gen SE to a hardtop (finally pics!)

[74charger360]

OK folks for the people who have been asking me how i deleted my opera windows in my SE and converted to roll down quarter windows  i finally have pics to help out on what to do.  I am still undergoing this on the passenger side and i haven't figured out the ordeal with how the weatherstripping will work but, when i do, i will post it here.

On the 73-74 SE model chargers the infamous "opera windows" are actually bolted over the quarter panel window opening as you can see in this picture, meaning that if you remove it, and fill in some of the mounting holes and remove the B pillar then voila!!! would will pretty much have a hardtop charger!!  


OK first things first.  This is what i had to start with now granted the previous owner molded (or should i say bondo"ed") the opera windows to the quarter of the car.  didn't look too bad but it was bubbling underneath the paint and i was sure there was some rust in there.



now the average person shouldn't have to go through all this, theoretically, you should only have to remove the vinyl top, then the plastic opera window frame along with window and the hole will be there.



i had to cut most of the bondo and plastic frame out of the car being as it was all molding in.  I used a dremel and took my time and made sure not to cut through any metal.
and in the next pic i carefully and with some persuasion pushed the glass out (if anyone needs it let me know)


AHHH RUST MONSTERS!!!
after you get the window out all you have to do is cut out the B Pillar to look like so


i just sprayed some primer on the rust area to make sure any bare metal was protected untill the next time i can mess with it.  also the bracket that u can see on the bottom of the opening needs to be removed, i removed it later and started replacing some of the metal,  those pics will be posted as soon as i can find them.  after you get all of the metal straight,  the rolldown regulator, and glass will just drop in with the bolt holes already in place!!  here is a picture of the finished drivers side


and like i said i'm still undergoing this project and being that i work full time and go to collage i don't get as much time to work on the charger as i would like but, any updates will be posted in this thread.  If anyone has any questions feel free to ask!!!

[klutch]

Great Thread, this will help many people!

[Axels73Charger]

YES!!!!! I've asked like 200 people how to do this... And until recently with your 2 messages I thought i'd have try to just buy a standard or something... Thats a pain in the rear... Well not anymore!!!! You've helped so much !!!! Thanks i'll be watching for more pics and info!!!!!

[Nacho-RT74]

I allways have told what is a pain in the ass is GET ALL the right parts at once ( all window and interior trim ) and elongate the drip rail... the job itself is allmost a plug and play job.

Thats the moment when I say, if you get a donor parts car then you are done... but then, if you get a donor parts car and you can save it... why not get the right deal and save it instead mix parts ? just my opinion

this is the second time as far what I have known this job is being made AND POSTED on the board, what doesn't mean has been done by lot of ppl out of the board.

never said imposible

[74charger360]

I allways have told what is a pain in the ass is GET ALL the right parts at once ( all window and interior trim ) and elongate the drip rail... the job itself is allmost a plug and play job.

Thats the moment when I say, if you get a donor parts car then you are done... but then, if you get a donor parts car and you can save it... why not get the right deal and save it instead mix parts ? just my opinion

this is the second time as far what I have known this job is being made AND POSTED on the board, what doesn't mean has been done by lot of ppl out of the board.

never said imposible

agreed, it is a pain in the arse and mostly the only reason i decided to persue this was because the previous owner had moulded in the quarter windows and i figured well i gotta replace the metal anyways so what the hell.

I also got a deal on the whole rear window assemblies for cheap!

[Axels73Charger]

I guess I understand what you guys are saying. But when I look past all that I see 1 thing. Have one very custom mopar. Granted I dont know how many people have done this... From what I've seen very little people have tryed this. But in the end it'll be something you worked on and really made your own. Thats my thought any way. Plus its hard to find a SE that has all its roof and window peices that arent already gone. So ya know. Plus I might have found a 73 Se with a 400 I may try to buy. We'lll see what happens but it looks like yours... So I might follow.

[74charger360]

It was and is a pain in the butt, but also i went into this having no body work experience, and just a general knowlege of cut and weld.  so if i can do it than i would guess most anyone with general body work knowlege could.  just do your homework before you start cutting if you do decide to persue the conversion.    ....  also more pics comming soon!!!!

[Axels73Charger]

Well i guess thats why your here with this thread. Im getting some summer homework in... I hate homework... But I like this so... Ah what the hell. 

[her73]

where can i find all the window trim,felt u-channel and the chorme outside. but nice job keep posting pics. because it does help me

[Axels73Charger]

Hey hows it coming along? I want to know how its done lol.