|
Why flip forwards?
Most fliptops are made to flip forward because all panels bolted together make up a quite heavy body section.
If this was to flip backwards (using the original bonnet hinge) it would be too heavy to lift and too heavy to support.
Even with gas struts the strain on the hinge is enormous and all panels will start tearing after a while.
It can be done, flipping backwards, but it needs a very comprehensive frame and strengthening of the scuttle on the car.
To keep things simple, this article will only look at the forward flipping option.
So how do I start?
There is a simple general guideline for builting fliptops which works for nearly every car.
Start by bolting together all panels apart from the bonnet.
On the 2cv we bolt the wings to the headlight support (off the car).
Bolt the small panels to the wings.
With the bonnet on top of this the flip front would be complete.
At the rear, a frame is needed to keep all panels together.
A steel strip goes from the upper rear wing mounting along the small panels, underneath the bonnet.
Secure all panels to this strip.
Bolting has the advantage that a seperate panel can be exchanged when damaged.
Welding gives added strength.
Put the front minus bonnet on the car.
The lower parts of the inner wings don't fit over the engine.
Cut loose the inner wing, starting at the front near the lower mounting bracket, go trhough the middle of the humps for the valvecover, then through the middle of the hole for the heater tube.
The inner wing is fixed to the body/chassis.
With the nose on the car the hinge can be made up.
The hinge
The hinge is made up from 2 tubes that fit exactly into eachother.
Not tight but without play.
Some grease keeps rust and dirt away.
The bigger tube is is cut so that it fits inside the supports bolted to the chassis with 10mm room to spare.
The smaller tube is the same length as the total width of the supports.
The supports have to be fitted to the chassis, easiest is on top of the bumper supports.
Another option is fitting the bumper on the fliptop.
In this case the supports are fitted instead of the bumper support, either on or below the chassis.
The bigger tube of the hinge is then welded to the modified headlight support.
Detailing
The coil is fitted to the engine, preferably somewhere on the front cowling in the cold airstream to keep it cool.
The headlight wiring all runs over the hinge so the wires never have to move or stretch (this wil require lengthening of the wires).
The windscreen washer hose also runs over the hinge (for which it needs to be a lot longer then standard).
All that's left is to fit a securing system to the wingtips to keep them from flapping in the wind.
And here's one we did earlier:
The hinge is 2 tubes that fit inside eachother.
Inner tube bolted to the chassis, outer tube carries the original unmodified headlight support.
The wings nead the rear tip modified, the part which normally sits under the footwell needs to be cut off.
With the wings bolted tot he headlight support, the "flip" is clear.
The bonnet is bolted to the headlight support at the front.
The side panels and rear of the bonnet are bolted together.
All panels painted, the wiring for the lights runs down to the hinge and then back up and over the engine. Coil is fitted on top of the engine.
Citroën 2cv Index
Cats Citroën Net Index
| 
