I was wondering if anybody here would be able to answer my question.

I have a full 2wd saffy engine and running gear in my garage doing nothing...
Since i was a little kid i wanted a 3 door cossie. I have the escort so why not a 3 door now.

anyway.. I have been looking at 3 door shells even 1.6 3 doors. but nothing decent, my mate has a 3 door rep xr4i, with all gen cossie bits, minus engine. and i can buy it at a very resonable price,

So if i cut out this pillar.... (ps not the car in question just a google pic)
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Will the car lose any structural strenght, and if so, if i was to install a rollcage, would that make up for it,

The car will only see track use anyway, and the accasional sunday blast, so probably would cage it etc anyway.

 

its deffo dooable matey , in fact its hom many usa merkur ( yank xr4i ) get rond importing a 3 dr , as you cant have three door shells in us,

just need to find 3dr quarters , glass n seals , to do a proper job

shouldnt need additional bracing

beef

 

cool, so its not that far fetched then. i will try and probably do it without having to replace the quaters though, to much like hard work lol.

 

noo not far fetched at all , in fact its been done lots of times ......

the only reason i say you me need the quarters is that im not a 100% sure if the profile of 3dr quarters is the same as the base model , or if it was slightly different , ( sure someone will clear that up like ) but i suspect finding good condition rear seals will be the hardest task , from what jacko said b4 they have locating tabs in them wich tend to break with heavy handed removal ,


seems like an easy way to get what you want mate , although its never going to be a cossie on the book , done right im sure it will pass to 99% or the joe public ,

good look with it mate , get a resto post going ,


beef

 

easy to do imo you won't need qtrs those areas can be easily fabbed up

Do it

Paul

 

Seems a pity to destroy a unique shell - only the XR4i/XR4Ti had that extra pillar.

 

Yeah but it looks shite

 

Leave them in, they look cool.....

Dan

 

if you cut the pillar what window will go in as the shape of the cossie window is different to what you will be left with

 

i can just get some perspex made to fit anyway.
its only going to be for track + accasional weekend use, and i dont care what the log book says. and that extra pillar looks wank.
cant think why ford put the extra wankey piller in

 

We'll agree to disagree then.

No-one ever mistakes a 4i for a 1.3L!!!!

 

Must admit iv owned a few xr4is and dont mind the pillar but each to there own, if its only for track days is it worth the hassle for very little gain.

 

I think a 4i shell is stronger (stiffer) than a cossie anyway so would be better left as it is for a track car.

Who wants a replica anyway.

Steve.

 

keep it as 4i shell, i think cossie powered 4i's are uber cool

 

Steve.

 

easily done this just need windows and inner and outer trims

 

Xr4ti pillar cut out, you ca see the rear corner is not the same shape as the 3 door shell



This is a side view, one off windows are needed