Sup all, got a crazy idea in my head I'm hoping others can provide some constructive input on. But PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD, AND SOME OF THE BAD, don't use the dreaded and very much useless "anything can be done with enough time and money" line (or anything similar). Looking for input, not an obvious general statement.
So I got the bug a few days ago after being offered a slightly beat up 99 sedan fixer upper for $700 to see if I could wagonize it. At first I figured I could simply reuse the factory rear windshield, chop up the trunk to fab the rear hatch, fab hinges and cover up the rear third window areas with sheet metal. But it'd look too much like a hearse and that's kinda no bueno. But the idea still stuck and I kicked it around in my head further.
Then I realized something...aren't Odysseys build on a heavily modified accord platform? So it got me thinking...if the widths aren't too vastly different...could I steal rear end parts from the minivan (c-pillar on), and fabricate a wagon rear end? Maybe not part for part, but enough to work from. I realize the odyssey is like 5" wider but the rear hatch may not be. Anyway I was thinking of taking the rear windows and possibly surrounding body/frame, and the rear hatch. Chop the hatch from below the window and weld it to the rear of the sedan's trunk lid and fashion a new hatch that would line up with the original trunk latch point. New roof could be made from sheet metal, and the extended body frame could be fabricated using square bar stock at the body shop. Basically I want to extend the roofline, add windows and a hatch. I want to retain the tail light arrangement as I rather like it. And then eventually J-swap to back up the new look.
I called the Albany DMV technical office to ask about the procedure to register a body type change, and he said just register it. No inspection, no custom car status. They'll note the change in the system and it'll pop up if say, the police run the VIN on a pullover. He also said it wasn't really a major change so it would be fine. I'm not certain of course but it is coming from the technical offices.
*takes breath* phew. That was a lot. So, what do you guys think? Can anyone provide any insights?
So I got the bug a few days ago after being offered a slightly beat up 99 sedan fixer upper for $700 to see if I could wagonize it. At first I figured I could simply reuse the factory rear windshield, chop up the trunk to fab the rear hatch, fab hinges and cover up the rear third window areas with sheet metal. But it'd look too much like a hearse and that's kinda no bueno. But the idea still stuck and I kicked it around in my head further.
Then I realized something...aren't Odysseys build on a heavily modified accord platform? So it got me thinking...if the widths aren't too vastly different...could I steal rear end parts from the minivan (c-pillar on), and fabricate a wagon rear end? Maybe not part for part, but enough to work from. I realize the odyssey is like 5" wider but the rear hatch may not be. Anyway I was thinking of taking the rear windows and possibly surrounding body/frame, and the rear hatch. Chop the hatch from below the window and weld it to the rear of the sedan's trunk lid and fashion a new hatch that would line up with the original trunk latch point. New roof could be made from sheet metal, and the extended body frame could be fabricated using square bar stock at the body shop. Basically I want to extend the roofline, add windows and a hatch. I want to retain the tail light arrangement as I rather like it. And then eventually J-swap to back up the new look.
I called the Albany DMV technical office to ask about the procedure to register a body type change, and he said just register it. No inspection, no custom car status. They'll note the change in the system and it'll pop up if say, the police run the VIN on a pullover. He also said it wasn't really a major change so it would be fine. I'm not certain of course but it is coming from the technical offices.
*takes breath* phew. That was a lot. So, what do you guys think? Can anyone provide any insights?