Half vinyl top to full top conversion?

[gschmidt211]

Has anyone converted your '71/'72 half top to a full?  The studs for the trim need to be installed.  I just picked up a parts car with all the trim in good shape and I am considering a conversion?  What would be the best way to add the studs and locate them properly?

[71_Charger_R/T]

The best way to add them is to use this type of tool.....



With this kind of stud....



I would use the parts car for reference on where to put them. Use some sturdy paper and trace along the body lines and reference points then poke the original studs through the paper, now go to your good car and line up the paper with the references and mark the panels through the holes. 

[gschmidt211]

Well, I think I am going a different route as I do not have access to a rivet welder.  After removing the trim from the parts car, I found the fastener to be a threaded stud that goes through 1/4'' holes in a few places.  Rather than using the weld on studs for the clips, I figure I will not use the clips at all and just use all of the threaded stud.  I think the factory used the clips as a matter of easy of installation.  I am not going for quick installation as I am not running a production line with 1000's of cars to produce each month.  So, I can reach behind the quarter and access each hole to attach a nut.  I made a template out of cardboard construction paper to transfer the holes.  It looks like it should work out pretty well.

Thanks for the advice on the stud welder, that is probably the proper way, but I figure my idea "should" work.

Thanks

[71_Charger_R/T]

Lookin good! Just be sure to put a dab of sealer around the holes/screws when you put it together. 

[ChgrSteve67]

Great template.
Go man Go!

[gschmidt211]

A friend at work told gave me a hint on how to do it so the holes line up a bit better.  If you notice in the pics, each hole has blue tape around it.  That is because I cut a larger area around the hole to be transferred.  Then I took another piece of cardboard transfer paper and punched a 1/4'' hole in it with a hole punch.  Then I lined the second piece with the 1/4'' hole directly over the hole to be transferred and then tapped that in place.  Every hole lines up perfectly.  I will post more pictures in a week or two when I transfer the holes to my car.

Everyone have a nice Memorial Day weekend.

[richRTSE]

Lookin good! Just be sure to put a dab of sealer around the holes/screws when you put it together. 

you don't need any water getting in there...

[gschmidt211]

Well, I have successfully transferred holes to the passenger's side.  I put the trim on and it looks pretty good so far.

[gschmidt211]

Something has dawned on my with this post.  When I used the emblem holes as a stationary set of points, I found that when I put the transfer template from the parts car to my car, the emblem location on my car was much lower.  Actually, the emblem is about 2 inches lower than the parts car.  When I first saw that, I figured it was the difference of one factory to another.  Looking at the photos I have posted, I think it may be intentional.  If I use the holes in my car for the emblem, the emblem will be much closer to the trim and not really centered on the c-pillar between the trim and the roof.  However, if I remove the trim, the emblem looks more "centered" on the c-pillar from the roof to the body line.

I wonder if the vinyl top cars had the emblem a bit higher, while the painted top and half vinyl top cars with a painted c-pillar had the emblem lower so the emblem looks more "centered" north to south.  Anyone know for sure if the c-pillar emblems were in different locations for the full vinyl top cars?

I may transfer the holes for the emblems as well and weld in the existing holes.

Thanks

[doitmopar]

Do you want to sell your half roof trim?

[gschmidt211]

So I decided to move the holes.  After some thought, it made sense that the emblem should be a bit higher to be centered north and south between the roof and the trim.  I think it looks much better.

[gschmidt211]

.

[gschmidt211]

The drivers side template is done and in place, but I was running out of light and the lighting in my front garage is poor, so I will wait until Thursday to center punch and drill the new holes.  Then all I have to do is the dutchman panel holes and I am done with the hole transfers.