DIY Network

xB Rag-Top Conversion: Cut a Hole In Your Roof Scion xB goes alfresco!, Part 2 of 4 From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-310

(Continued from page 1)

Figure D

The Grand Opening: Cutting the Roof

Take a deep breath and summon your courage. You're now ready to cut a hole in your roof.

• Use a punch to divot a hole inside one corner of the roof (figure D), then drill straight through with a large enough bit to get your cutting tool started.

• Repeat that process at all four corners of the taped outline.
  

  advertisement

  
  
  

• Insert the cutting tool and slowly work your way around the roof (figures E and F). Be careful not to put too much of your weight on the roof because you could dent it.

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  

  	Figure G
  	Figure H

  Important: Take care when you're cutting through the supports. Maneuver slowly so the tool goes all the way through the support. It helps to have someone support the roof as it's being cut.

• Once the cuts are complete, carefully remove the roof panel and lower it slowly onto the drop cloth inside the car (figure G).

• Use a flat file to remove any sharp edges from the cut, and then drop the frame into the new hole (figure H). If it binds going in, use your file to trim away the excess metal until you have a smooth fit.

• In the Scion, the roof supports are thicker than the ragtop frame, so you'll need to remove them completely. For the ragtop, a thick foam spacer will be added later to support the headliner in place of the supports. It's easiest to remove the factory supports from inside.

• The best way to remove the supports is to simply bend them up and down until they break off at the outer end. Because the metal in these supports is thin, it will take a little time for them to heat up and break off.
  

  Figure I

• Once the supports have all been removed, you'll need to address the raised ribs on the back of the roof. Use a pair of metal snips to make a three-quarter inch cut into the ridges about halfway up the peak on both sides (figure I).

• Then use a pair of duckbill pliers to flatten the ridges so you can achieve a nice seal with the ragtop frame.

• When you're finished, wrap the edges of the drop cloth around the factory roof panel and carefully pull it out through the rear hatch.
  

1 | 2

RESOURCES :

Racing Innovations, Inc.
We apologize no contact information is available.

Street Beat Customs
www.streetbeatcustoms.com