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Location:
Dubbo NSW
Registered:
June 2004
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RA23 convertable
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Mon, 09 August 2004 01:57
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hello,
I was wondering if anyone has ever seen or herd of turning an RA23 into a convertable. i wish to turn mine into a convertable and would like to see if anyone has done it before.
Thanks
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Location:
c'town, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Mon, 09 August 2004 02:09
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yes been done theres a ta22 convertable for sale in the for sale section
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Mon, 09 August 2004 03:15
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Please don't butcher a perfectly good RA23!
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2004
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Mon, 09 August 2004 21:45
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I've seen them around. There's one at Celica Spares at whetheril park at the moment i think.
I REALLY don't like the look of it!
If you MUST go targa tops!
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I supported Toymods
Location:
south of the big smoke
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Tue, 10 August 2004 00:47
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yes there are convertable celicas around however i have heard you cant do engine conversions to them anymore cause the rta wont allow it
who knows but
celica john was you car at celica spares a few months back getting work done to it?
if so i seen it, great job
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Location:
Canberra
Registered:
October 2002
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2004
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Tue, 10 August 2004 05:04
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the main thing with engineering is safety and structure, ie, can the car stop! & is it safe to drive incase of accident
therefore convertible is fine, but mass engine mods wouldnt be approved as the structral integrity of the car would decrease from the roof cut
personally i recon they look ugly convertible so i would also say DONT WRECK A BEAUTIFUL CAR
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Location:
Canberra
Registered:
October 2002
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Tue, 10 August 2004 05:14
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it's already a wreck, Trust me, I love these cars, and I do prefer the roof on, but I have one with a roof, why not have one without a roof?  ...
I know that the structure of the car would weaken, but legally, what needs to be done, i.e roll bar, structural bracing?. to drive it on the road?,.. I wouldn't be changing the 18rc, this would be the weekend Celica,
[Updated on: Tue, 10 August 2004 05:14]
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2004
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Tue, 10 August 2004 05:20
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if its stck as a rock and no roof then all that needs to be done is make sure no sharp edges what so ever, doesnt leak at all no matter what and once that is done
GET IT ENGINEERED 
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Location:
Canberra
Registered:
October 2002
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Tue, 10 August 2004 05:27
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Mate,..
chill out, I was asking a simple question that you didn't clearly explain in the first place,.. 
I really don't plan on doing this mod, as it is just a waste of time/money, but I thought it would be interesting to know, as I am sitting here bored shitless at work...
But thanks anyway
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Tue, 10 August 2004 07:01
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| fade-e wrote on Tue, 10 August 2004 15:20 |
if its stck as a rock and no roof then all that needs to be done is make sure no sharp edges what so ever, doesnt leak at all no matter what and once that is done
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Absolutely incorrect. If you don't know the answer to a question, don't confuse everyone by taking a wild guess!
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Location:
Canberra
Registered:
October 2002
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Tue, 10 August 2004 07:13
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You'd have to speak to an engineer first; the job is different on every car so requirements will vary. Generally speaking though, engineering will require very siginificant underbody strengthening (ie big-arse crossmembers welded to the floorpan etc) and possibly a rollbar welded to the chassis.
I can assure you it's not just a case of chopping the roof off with a 9" grinder and smoothing over the sharp edges.
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Location:
Canberra
Registered:
October 2002
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Tue, 10 August 2004 07:24
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yeah, I figured so much....
I knew it was a reasonably big job, that is why I questioned it when I was told it was relitively easy... 
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2004
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Tue, 10 August 2004 10:30
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i didnt mean it to say that it is as simple as chopping the roof and bobs your uncle. when cutting the roof you need to ensure that there are no structural cuts done, and the front windscreen would be a prime example. the metal aroungd the screen needs to be thick enough to be able to still hld the screen properly/structurally and at the back it is cut too low as to make the metal/shell structurally unstable there too.
so there are structural considerations required, but that goes for any conversion or job to be done - common sense
but with that considered as long as there are no possibilities of someone injuring/harming themselves while touching it and that it doesnt leak when roof on then it should be fine
at no stage did i say cut the roof and file the edges or mean to do it like that... thats just stupid
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Location:
Castle Hill
Registered:
December 2002
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Tue, 10 August 2004 13:54
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Hey Guys,
Was going to keep it a secret until my baby was finally complete but I am a proud owner of a TA23 convertable.
Convertables MUST have much body reinforcment around the floor etc. MUST have (my celica atleast) a roll bar to fit seat belts to.
Talked to my engineer over a year ago now. He was cool with all my planned mods of brakes / diff / engine etc. He even suggested putting a little turbo in! But I'm still not sure about the legalities of fitting my dream engine - 13BT. Though I have seen other NSW registered 13BT RA23's on toymods so I am yet to ask the question... because as far as i know the whole body weight / inducted engine capacity made the 13bt illegal...
PS celica's are DAMN sexy, but convertable celica's are EVEN sexier.
Anyway, just though I'd say my piece... Sam.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2004
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Tue, 10 August 2004 22:03
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Sam, Roughly how much did your roof chopping cost?
I must admitt i havnt seen a convertible celica i've liked.
Someone jump on the bandwagon for the targa tops already!
btw craigzze that was mine you saw.
engineer just passed it the other night
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Location:
Madrid - Spain
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Wed, 11 August 2004 03:37
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| fade-e wrote on Tue, 10 August 2004 20:30 |
i didnt mean it to say that it is as simple as chopping the roof and bobs your uncle. when cutting the roof you need to ensure that there are no structural cuts done, and the front windscreen would be a prime example. the metal aroungd the screen needs to be thick enough to be able to still hld the screen properly/structurally and at the back it is cut too low as to make the metal/shell structurally unstable there too.
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Dood, the roof is primary structure. Unless the car is equipped with a full chassis like most 4WD and commercials, there is no way an engineer will approve a roof cut without substantial chassis reinforcement. Incidently the early crowns have a full chassis...... Rod how about we get stuck into that red thing of yours. 
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Location:
Auckland NZ
Registered:
December 2003
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Re: RA23 convertable
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Wed, 11 August 2004 05:15
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i've got two friends over here in nz with convertible TA22's, they're both similar but minor difference's with the bracing and the way the roof locks into place. both have significant amounts of floor bracing, if you just cut the roof off the car will just fold in half when you open the doors (if you can open the doors that is).
one of the guys with the convertible thinks that toyota sold kits to make them but thats the most i've ever heard of it so it could just be rumour. might be worth checking out though.
and as for convertibles looks? i never used to like them but having personally seen a minter and having some idea of what the other one will come out like when its complete (long term project) i'm a bit of a fan.
a few pics of one from aussie, not one of the cars i know but it shows the potential:
http://www.geocities.com/rhyskeepence/celica_conve rt_1.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/rhyskeepence/celica_conve rt_2.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/rhyskeepence/celica_conve rt_3.jpg
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