I'm posting this so it will be archived just in case someone searches for it one day.

People always ask about doing a targa top or T-tops or want to convert their coupe to a drop top and they are always told "you'll need to get all of the extra bracing out of a convertible for it to work" but no one has ever posted up just what that bracing is, leaving some people skeptical. Some think that it will be easy to weld in an extra brace or two, while others ignore it completely, thinking that it is unnecessary.

Well here they are, straight from GM--scans from the dealer convertible manual. Clickable thumbnails for your viewing pleasure.
























So, as you can clearly tell, there is quite a bit more bracing in a convertible versus a coupe/sedan. From the pictures you can see that pretty much every part of the car has extra bracing in it--accounting for an extra 300 or so pounds of welded-on reinforcement. So before you go cutting up the roof of your car to make a different type of top for it, think about all of the extra bracing needed to keep the car rigid and safe. If you still want to attempt it, then by all means, go for it and have fun!






95+ Cavalier and Sunfire Convertible Service Manual! A must read for vert owners!

STICKY

good stuff Ben

nice find.

very good find, it has my vote for a sticky!

yea, but you didn't post the part numbers.







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- Sold my beloved J in April 2010 -

i havent found the part #s yet and havent ripped my drop top open to get them. ive got one or two things on their way that might help enlighten this




95+ Cavalier and Sunfire Convertible Service Manual! A must read for vert owners!

wow i had no idea the verts had that much extra in them! you can definitely see why they are so heavy.