I have what i figure is (very close to) the absolute PERFECT Pinto for my needs... a 76 'MPG' 2.3 4-spd trunk car. The ONLY way this thing could be better for what i want is if it was a hatchback car. I HATE options on cars... i like 'em stripped. This pinto has like, zero options (i mean non-essential 'luxury' options, my 8" rear and 4spd are good options). It was a really lucky find (despite the rust).
I know where there is another 76 non-'MPG' pinto, 2.3, automatic, more options than mine, BUT... with a hatch. This car has been picked at for a couple years now, been through a few imbecile owners (read: bagged and hacked) and is quite a departure from what i want. So buying it and swapping my 4-spd and drivetrain would be a bad idea for many reasons.
So what about turning my trunk car into a hatchback? (sacrilege, i know) Anyone ever done this? My car will be subframe-connected and eventually roll-bar'd so any structural integrity lost wont be an issue. Looking at both cars side by side it didn't look TOOOO hard to pull off. Anyone seen this done?
I know the trunk cars are lighter and structurally stronger, and more desirable... but my vision is a lightened road-race ready 71-lookin' 76 Pinto with a 2.3, T5, 8" and a hatch that i can use to haul stuff around in. For such a tiny little car, the hatchback models have quite a bit o room inside... a surprisingly useful amount ov room. The trunk cars might as well not even have an opening. They make the trunk space in my 70 Challenger look like 67 Imperial...
there is a topic on here from a few years ago about this conversion but i dont rember much about it as i have a wagon so it did not intrest me as much.
Theoretically, this could be done. You would need to fabricate a lip for the taller weatherstripping of the hatchback, and probably get behind the headliner to install the hatch hinges. You'd also have to attach the hatch support struts somehow. I don't think removing the back deck of the sedan would be that hard once the window is out. If you decide to tackle it, let us know, and post some pics if you can. :)
Chuck :afro:
Quote from: discolives78 on July 11, 2009, 11:23:40 PM
Theoretically, this could be done. You would need to fabricate a lip for the taller weatherstripping of the hatchback, and probably get behind the headliner to install the hatch hinges. You'd also have to attach the hatch support struts somehow. I don't think removing the back deck of the sedan would be that hard once the window is out. If you decide to tackle it, let us know, and post some pics if you can. :)
Chuck :afro:
Well... LOOKING AT IT... for what thats worth... it looks about as simple and straightforward as something that drastic can look. My car has no headliner and isn't getting one, so no problem there. I have a complete 76 hatch car at my disposal in a local yard... its already toasted, but the hatch part and body is still there. I could literally 'cut and paste' the deal if i wanted to. I bet that back panel is just a simple sheet-metal deal no different than a header panel between the window and trunk ov a bigger car. Nothing structural? The swap itself seems pretty easy... just dont want to wreck any structural integrity that i'm not replacing with other mods.
I'm thinking that maybe hatch models have a bit more structure in the body to make up for the big hole... this is common in most other cars that offer and hatch and a trunk model. This is what i'd have to fix IF its a problem. Hmmmmm...
Quote from: Pale Roader on July 10, 2009, 06:40:04 AM
I have what i figure is (very close to) the absolute PERFECT Pinto for my needs... a 76 'MPG' 2.3 4-spd trunk car. The ONLY way this thing could be better for what i want is if it was a hatchback car. I HATE options on cars... i like 'em stripped. This pinto has like, zero options (i mean non-essential 'luxury' options, my 8" rear and 4spd are good options). It was a really lucky find (despite the rust).
I know where there is another 76 non-'MPG' pinto, 2.3, automatic, more options than mine, BUT... with a hatch. This car has been picked at for a couple years now, been through a few imbecile owners (read: bagged and hacked) and is quite a departure from what i want. So buying it and swapping my 4-spd and drivetrain would be a bad idea for many reasons.
So what about turning my trunk car into a hatchback? (sacrilege, i know) Anyone ever done this? My car will be subframe-connected and eventually roll-bar'd so any structural integrity lost wont be an issue. Looking at both cars side by side it didn't look TOOOO hard to pull off. Anyone seen this done?
I know the trunk cars are lighter and structurally stronger, and more desirable... but my vision is a lightened road-race ready 71-lookin' 76 Pinto with a 2.3, T5, 8" and a hatch that i can use to haul stuff around in. For such a tiny little car, the hatchback models have quite a bit o room inside... a surprisingly useful amount ov room. The trunk cars might as well not even have an opening. They make the trunk space in my 70 Challenger look like 67 Imperial...
This doesnt answer your question any but i too hae a 76 MPG Pony with zero options but somehow managed to get the 8" axle.... and its not even a traclock. No one really knows why it has the 8". Seeing this post makes me wonder if the MPG's got 8" axles. Maybe 3.00 ratio is'nt available for the 6.75 axle. Who knows. Anyways mine is a trunk model also, and is copper in color. I did add power steering but other than that it has no options.
Quote from: pintoguy76 on July 14, 2009, 03:37:25 AM
This doesnt answer your question any but i too hae a 76 MPG Pony with zero options but somehow managed to get the 8" axle.... and its not even a traclock. No one really knows why it has the 8". Seeing this post makes me wonder if the MPG's got 8" axles. Maybe 3.00 ratio is'nt available for the 6.75 axle. Who knows. Anyways mine is a trunk model also, and is copper in color. I did add power steering but other than that it has no options.
I wondered that too, but the other MPG Pinto i've seen locally had the little diff. Maybe its a 4-spd thing. Is yours a stick car too? I haven't personally looked at too many local Pintos (maybe 5-6) but so far mine is the only one with a 8".
Yes its a 4 speed.
I had my back seat out yesterday to make a back shelf panel, and on looking at it, you can probably remove the back shelf with an air chisel once the window is out of the way. Since the hatch obviously didn't have the rear shelf, I doubt that it's structural.
Chuck :afro:
It'd be way easier to just find a base model Runabout. A project like you're proposing sounds scary. That's just me. ;D
I hacked the roof off an 80 Pony wagon with a sawzall cuz I needed a truck. It's only scary if you're scared. ;D
Chuck :afro:
P.S. I only paid $100 for the wagon, I just needed a tailgate for my 78 wagon I had back then. In the end I used the front clip for that 78 wagon and put the tires on the 72 I sold. I used my 'yard truck' for a year before I scrapped it (it smoked really bad!)
Quote from: discolives78 on July 16, 2009, 11:24:01 PM
I hacked the roof off an 80 Pony wagon with a sawzall cuz I needed a truck. It's only scary if you're scared. ;D
Chuck :afro:
P.S. I only paid $100 for the wagon, I just needed a tailgate for my 78 wagon I had back then. In the end I used the front clip for that 78 wagon and put the tires on the 72 I sold. I used my 'yard truck' for a year before I scrapped it (it smoked really bad!)
I'll bet that was a real sight :lol: :lol: :lol:
Dwayne :smile:
Hey Dwayne!
Which part do you think was the 'real sight'? The roof hacked off or no front clip? While I was using it, it was basically a shell with an engine and wheels. No door glass, gauges, passenger seat, carpet, radio, headliner, back wall, etc. I wish I had a pic of it!
No hijack intended, Pale Roader, good luck with your project! :)
Chuck :afro:
Chuck,
I was visualizing it with the roof hacked off. While you clearly stated that you used the front clip on your wagon, I just assumed that was after its duty as a truck had been fulfilled.
Dwayne :smile:
Quote from: discolives78 on July 16, 2009, 11:24:01 PM
I hacked the roof off an 80 Pony wagon with a sawzall cuz I needed a truck. It's only scary if you're scared. ;D
Chuck :afro:
P.S. I only paid $100 for the wagon, I just needed a tailgate for my 78 wagon I had back then. In the end I used the front clip for that 78 wagon and put the tires on the 72 I sold. I used my 'yard truck' for a year before I scrapped it (it smoked really bad!)
I pulled the front clip in the beginning ( I made the plans for the 78 wagon as soon as I got the 80 home :)), I just used my 'pinchero' around my property, so no hood or lights didn't matter. It already smoked when I bought it. ;D ...sorry if I didn't clarify, it was about 4 years ago. I had 4 Pinto's at that time, the 'yard truck', Buttercup, a 72 sedan 1600 and a 78 wagon. Plus a 2.3 87 Mustang and a 2.3 85 Ranger (with a cracked head and really bad body). That was right before my illness started :(. I used to be a lot more ambitious.
Chuck :afro: