• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

There are some questions that you just can't say no to...

Bignate603

Bignate603

Lifer
Update: Pics of progress in post 11

A friend of mine just called me up and said "I just bought an old saturn for $600. I want a convertible and I've got a sawzall. Are you free on Saturday?" :twisted:

This guy is insane, his previous project was to cut the back half off an izuzu pup and weld on the front half of a Ford Taurus SHO because he wanted a rear engine truck. It's redneck engineering at its finest. It's running but he's trying to figure out how to build a frame to put the sides of a truck bed over the front of the taurus so it doesn't look quite so ridiculous.
 
Last edited:
This can be only one thing - awesome.



Is he planning this in any way or is it just like 'hmm this seems like a good place to cut'?
 
If he picks the right spots to cut, you can make a watertight flange and have a convertible hard top! This would be an excellent time to have an old school spot welder available. Cut the top off and spot weld on some places to re-tighten the headliner, weld on some latches inside.
 
skyking said:
If he picks the right spots to cut, you can make a watertight flange and have a convertible hard top! This would be an excellent time to have an old school spot welder available. Cut the top off and spot weld on some places to re-tighten the headliner, weld on some latches inside.
Click to expand...

I don't think he's even going to try to do that. He'll just park it under the car port. He's got a few other vehicles so this is just a fun car to mess around with .

I'm expecting the body to be about as stiff as a wet shoebox. If it's really bad we'll figure out something to brace it.
 
Bump to post progress...

He decided to turn it into an open top truck sort of thing. We busted out the rear window (not fully on purpose 😉 ) and cut out the top panels between the cross pieces. We decided to leave the cross pieces to keep the unibody from flexing around. The next step is to remove the trunk and cut out most of the panel that holds the speakers behind the rear seats. There's one cross piece we'll leave that spans between the suspension towers to act as a tower brace. It will also allow him to fold up the rear seats and use them if he needs them later. So the back will be completely open between the front seats all the way back to the back of the car except for 2 cross braces on the roof and one right behind where the rear seats would be if they are folded up.

Pictures are on my buddy's blog.
http://joeynovak.com/blog/diy/creating-a-saturn-truck/
 
Bignate603 said:
Update: Pics of progress in post 11

A friend of mine just called me up and said "I just bought an old saturn for $600. I want a convertible and I've got a sawzall. Are you free on Saturday?" :twisted:

This guy is insane, his previous project was to cut the back half off an izuzu pup and weld on the front half of a Ford Taurus SHO because he wanted a rear engine truck. It's redneck engineering at its finest. It's running but he's trying to figure out how to build a frame to put the sides of a truck bed over the front of the taurus so it doesn't look quite so ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Wouldn't it be quicker to use a cut-off saw, an angle grinder with cut-off disk/s, or a cutting torch?

PS. It sound like loads of fun.
 
<Clarkson voice> How hard can it be?

I can't wait to finish school and have money to do this sort of stuff.

/thumbs up
 
iGas said:
Wouldn't it be quicker to use a cut-off saw, an angle grinder with cut-off disk/s, or a cutting torch?

PS. It sound like loads of fun.
Click to expand...

The saw we used worked great for cutting the sections out of the roof. The abrasive wheel chewed through the roof's sheet metal pretty easily. It gave us a very clean line and honestly we only spent about 15 minutes cutting. A Honestly, the thing that took the longest was cleaning up after I shattered the rear window.

A torch or a grinder would have made it harder to get the long straight cuts we wanted. As for a cut off saw, I've always seen that term used to refer to a saw on a stand to quickly cut through tubing or things, not something that's handheld to do long cuts on sheet metal. Also, we didn't have a torch and my grinder is pretty wimpy. :awe:

punjabiplaya said:
<Clarkson voice> How hard can it be?

I can't wait to finish school and have money to do this sort of stuff.

/thumbs up
Click to expand...

He's only got $600 into the project so far but it needs a head gasket. He's getting exhaust bubbles in the coolant but no coolant appears to be getting in the cylinders and the oil is clean.
 
Last edited:
I'd think sawzall. Too much fire damage with a torch. A gas powered demo saw would work (Partner K700 is my weapon of choice).
 
Bignate603 said:
The saw we used worked great for cutting the sections out of the roof. The abrasive wheel chewed through the roof's sheet metal pretty easily. It gave us a very clean line and honestly we only spent about 15 minutes cutting. A Honestly, the thing that took the longest was cleaning up after I shattered the rear window.

A torch or a grinder would have made it harder to get the long straight cuts we wanted. As for a cut off saw, I've always seen that term used to refer to a saw on a stand to quickly cut through tubing or things, not something that's handheld to do long cuts on sheet metal. Also, we didn't have a torch and my grinder is pretty wimpy. :awe:



He's only got $600 into the project so far but it needs a head gasket. He's getting exhaust bubbles in the coolant but no coolant appears to be getting in the cylinders and the oil is clean.
Click to expand...

What you call a cut off saw I know as a chop saw.
 
SooperDave said:
I'd think sawzall. Too much fire damage with a torch. A gas powered demo saw would work (Partner K700 is my weapon of choice).
Click to expand...

While that would have worked we didn't have one of those either. When you're doing redneck engineering you just grab whatever you have and go to town.
 
Bignate603 said:
The saw we used worked great for cutting the sections out of the roof. The abrasive wheel chewed through the roof's sheet metal pretty easily. It gave us a very clean line and honestly we only spent about 15 minutes cutting. A Honestly, the thing that took the longest was cleaning up after I shattered the rear window.

A torch or a grinder would have made it harder to get the long straight cuts we wanted. As for a cut off saw, I've always seen that term used to refer to a saw on a stand to quickly cut through tubing or things, not something that's handheld to do long cuts on sheet metal. Also, we didn't have a torch and my grinder is pretty wimpy. :awe:



He's only got $600 into the project so far but it needs a head gasket. He's getting exhaust bubbles in the coolant but no coolant appears to be getting in the cylinders and the oil is clean.
Click to expand...
I have used cutting disks & metal cutting blades on circular saw to cut concrete, rods, and sheet metals and they do work well on small job in a pinch, but this saw is the way to go if you need to do a lot of cutting or heavy duty cutting on the go.

PS. it look like you guys done a good job on that hood.
 
iGas said:
I have used cutting disks & metal cutting blades on circular saw to cut concrete, rods, and sheet metals and they do work well on small job in a pinch, but this saw is the way to go if you need to do a lot of cutting or heavy duty cutting on the go.

PS. it look like you guys done a good job on that hood.
Click to expand...

I think that would be major overkill for cutting up a car's roof. That saw would have probably cost more than the car we were working on!
 
Bignate603 said:
While that would have worked we didn't have one of those either. When you're doing redneck engineering you just grab whatever you have and go to town.
Click to expand...
Yo comprendo. Don't get me wrong, I was looking at the pic and I think what you're doing and how you are doing it is pretty cool.Just throwing my weapons of choice out there.
 
iGas said:
I have used cutting disks & metal cutting blades on circular saw to cut concrete, rods, and sheet metals and they do work well on small job in a pinch, but this saw is the way to go if you need to do a lot of cutting or heavy duty cutting on the go.

PS. it look like you guys done a good job on that hood.
Click to expand...

Thats what I call a demo saw (or in this case also a concrete saw because it has the wet kit). Potatoes/pototoes I guess. On an off topic note I have a smaller version of that type of saw on craigslist for $200 and no interest at all. Fracking thing retailed for $800+ new. This economy sucks🙁
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top