Gents, looking for Input. Considering taking my 4-door, buying some doors made for a 2-door, which are 6.25 inches longer, and moving my door post back same distance and welding the rear doors shut and modifying the rear door windows as required. I've searched the different forums and can only find tech articles related to this procedure on the 55-57 Chevys. Has anyone come across an article for the earlier models like this to read over? Is the total body/frame length the same on the 2 and 4 door Belairs with just longer or shorter doors? Thanks
Most, but, but not all, 4 door to 2 door conversions use both the doors and sections of the quarter panel from a 2 door model. That way you get the correct quarter window and all related pieces without having to modify those parts. Were you able to source ONLY doors, then yes, your plan would be the fallback position. And, yes, all body styles use the same chassis/wheelbase length Ray.
Appreciate all the feedback. I will continue searching for tech articles related to this conversion. Once I start, I will be sure to post updates/pics.
I have done it. if selling your 4 door and buying a 2 door is not an option (which would be alot easier). buy 2 door doors and if you can get the B-pillars too then just get to work <a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/user/skyrodder/media/2doorcoversion/1117081648.jpg.html" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/user/skyrodder/media/2doorcoversion/omarsdoors006.jpg.html" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/user/skyrodder/media/2doorcoversion/omarsdoors014.jpg.html" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/user/skyrodder/media/2doorcoversion/omarsdoors026-1.jpg.html" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/user/skyrodder/media/2doorcoversion/omarsdoors006-1.jpg.html" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/user/skyrodder/media/2doorcoversion/omarsdoors014-1.jpg.html" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/user/skyrodder/media/654b5be4.jpg.html" target="_blank"></a>
Well, while the above pics show it CAN be done that way, I would suggest that if you can get the 1/4 panel from a 2 door as afr back as about mid wheel opening, and including the entire 1/4 side window, your conversion will be much easier. In the pics posted above, it appears to me that a 2 door was made from a 4 door but using the 4 door front doors....at least until the second conversion, pictured, began. Ray
To do it right on one of these really calls for the whole roof, or at least the full quarter window and panel area, as the back of the window opening is different.
Same body dimensions, same roof skin, same wheelbase, different doors and quarters. It's a very do-able task, somewhat time consuming but worth it in the end. I definitely suggest getting door pillar/quarter panel sections to go with, or a whole parts car if you can, which will provide rear quarter window regulators and hopefully seat frames and side trim too. Plenty of rotted out picked over shitbox 2 door sedans that would be ideal donor cars out there. Here's my thread where I do a '56, the procedure should be almost exactly the same. Yes, doors only would work too but having done this one plus a couple of Mopars I bet those quarter panel sections would shave 100 labor hours off of a conversion. http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=753008 Be sure to post pics if you take on the challenge.
This pic is in my other thread too but it's a good example of where I put my cut lines on my conversions.
Here's one of my '62 Chrysler in progress, then a link to the corresponding build thread. http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=608094 And the same for my '60 Plymouth. http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78120 All done by me, all done to completion (the conversions at least, not necessarily the cars) and all using both doors and quarter sections. There's a good thread out there on a guy who did a '55 using just doors, which turned out nice but looks like a lot more work, and in that case, the '55 doors won't close on the 4 door pillars without reworking the doors, so keep that in mind when you decide on how you want to go about it.