6G Celicas Forums

The convertible to AWD would be a much bigger pain. Where would the driveshaft, differential and rear axle go? They have completely different suspension setups and mounting points, not to mention chassis reinforcements etc etc. I've read about even converting a regular GT liftback to an AWD setup and it's pretty much impossible without dumping tons of money and fabrication into it. The frames aren't alike at all under the car for suspension mounts, differential mounts, transfer case, etc. Plus different gas tank and all that.

Given the facts I would rather have a car where the suspension is made for it and mounted to the stock brackets than a car with fabricated brackets and such.

Can you show me one hatchback or liftback that has been converted into a convertible? I can show you one FF 6gc that has been converted into an AWD. I can also show you many many FF cars that have been converted to RWD (albeit not 6gcs). As for difficulty, think of what it would take to completely fab the sheet metal from the bumper to the where the convertible top mounts, then put in the convertible mechanism and top. Even if it could be done, it simply would not be worth it.

I think that's why he wants to do it though, it's never been done. And I think the fabrication part that you mentioned would be half the fun because you could make it exactly how you want it. It's just like custom fiberglassing your own body kit or something, it's exactly how you want it.

And as far as I had known the AWD had not been a good conversion, but I guess I was wrong. Did they pull parts off of a 90-93 Alltrac or wrecked GT4?

I believe it was front and rear clips from a ST205. It was a black car in Miami that was on ebay about 6 months ago.

at any stage in the developement of a project like this there will always be for and against arguments, and whilst all are a considered - i believe it would be easier retaining the gt4 and adding to it, it would be much harder adding to the convertible chassis to make it awd.

once the gt4 chassis is strengthened, the fabrication on the back end wouldnt be a great feat to have it take the convertible - in fact the convertible doesnt have much of a rear bulk head to copy. only manual and electric/hydraulic reclining soft tops with plastic rear windows have the rear bulk head, cars with glass windows in the soft top have to retract in to the trunk space instead of lying on a parcel shelf, so it will have strengthening of course but easier to copy.

I would estimate this project would take me 18 months on my own from taking delivery of the two stock cars to completion, however research wont be finsished until around August this year, i would obviously have the final spraying carried out by a professional body shop as i'm not a perfect spray painter.

that means that the project would be complete end of 2006 or beginning of 2007 by which time the 6GcGT4 will be over 10 years old and the GT4 as a marque will be celebrating its 21st Anniversary.

if i did this it would be a custom project to launch a customising and modification performance company. I would probably keep the car for at least 2 years after which time it would either be sold or kept as a show room piece.

anyhew, thanks again for all the replies, if you have any more angles for this just holler, I am grateful for any input.

thanks goes to Katy aka Coughdrop, 6gc convertible owner from Celica Club UK

Toyota Press Release 18th Oct 1994;
The Cab's body is based on the GT Coupe, a model not sold in Europe........ The conversion work on the car is engineered by the specialist American company ASC, with which Toyota has worked for around ten years. The hood is completely new, and designed for easier operation than the model it replaces (which was not marketed in the UK). It features .......

Under the bonnet.....blah blah.... Torque is 137lb ft at 4,800rpm, and is maintained at high revs, with a flat torque curve. Top speed is 139mph, and 60mph comes up in just 7.9 seconds...(diff to Uncle Bobs figures)...... it goes on...........

that means that the Gen 4 USA and South Pacific version, all gen 5 and gen 6 where all made by ACS.



I gotta try and contact them and see if i can find out what was done to the chassis.

I have the diagrams. They reinforced the car from the lock pillar back by adding structural bracing under the rear seats, on the lock pillar, on the sides of the car in the back, and where the top is stored. There are no structural modifications of the car in front from the door latch forward.

Which book is the diagram in? can you give me the ISBN ?

I'm thinking ACS did further strengthening, the windscreen pillars have to act as a roll bar. ??

windscreen I presume is the windshield. If so, and you are referring to the A-Pillar, the answer is "NO!" the A-pillar will not protect you in the event of a roll over and it was not modified in a structural way by ASC.

There is no book. I have the design sheets from ASC. Someday I will get around to posting them.

This post has been edited by jgreening: Apr 1, 2005 - 5:40 PM

but that explains a FE powered convertible for the USA/Canada.
UK missed out on the gen 5 convertible because it was too expensive to strengthen it to UK spec and the gen 4 convertible didnt sell as many units as toyota had hoped.

The UK 6gc convertible is 3sge powered - it is either strengthened to meet uk regulations or the chassis is strong enough as it is with only a few modifcations like the USA/C version.

I guess the only people who can tell me for sure will be ACS.