Removing the roof

[Jon404]

I have a 2005 XLR, and am thinking about removing the folding roof, so that I can have trunk space.

Has anyone ever done this? Would it be easy to do? Could it be removed without completely confusing the electrical system?

I'd like to end up with the trunk latch and power lift still working as usual.

 

[hawkeye372]

um..... I would think that you would loose some of the structure. especially if and when you went back and put the roof on,it might be bent out of proportion later on from not having that roof frame? I hope this makes since. Other forum users might give you some better advise?

 

[Stella]

I have a 2005 XLR, and am thinking about removing the folding roof, so that I can have trunk space.

Has anyone ever done this? Would it be easy to do? Could it be removed without completely confusing the electrical system?

I'd like to end up with the trunk latch and power lift still working as usual.

First question why? Second do you live in and drive in a rain free zone? Third how much stuff do you drive around with? Cadillac does sell a wagon version

 

[05 GRAND DADDY]

I have a 2005 XLR, and am thinking about removing the folding roof, so that I can have trunk space.

Has anyone ever done this? Would it be easy to do? Could it be removed without completely confusing the electrical system?

I'd like to end up with the trunk latch and power lift still working as usual.

I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS YOUR REAL REASONING OF WANTING TO TAKE A 75-80 $$$$$ THOUSAND DOLLAR CAR AND DO THIS TO IT! I GUESS MY MAIN QUESTION WOULD BE WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO IF YOU STUCK IN RAIN STORM??? YOU CAN NOT CONTROL MOTHER NATURE!!!!........ YOU WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO TAKE A TRIP TO USE THE TRUNK SPACE IN FEAR OF WEATHER CONDITIONS!

 

[05 GRAND DADDY]

First question why? Second do you live in and drive in a rain free zone? Third how much stuff do you drive around with? Cadillac does sell a wagon version

GOT ME CONFUSED TOO!

 

[Jon404]

I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS YOUR REAL REASONING OF WANTING TO TAKE A 75-80 $$$$$ THOUSAND DOLLAR CAR AND DO THIS TO IT!

Well. Sacrilege at the temple of Old GM! And it's not an $80,000 car... it's a $25,000 car

Let's see. First, I live in San Diego, and it just doesn't rain ... for at least the next nine months.

Second, because it would be nice to have a trunk. Not so much for me, but when we travel, my wife likes to take a suitcase. The problem, of course, is that going for a 5-hour drive up to Santa Barbara is way too much for her in an open roadster. Wind, noise, hairdo!

Third, because I drive the car all the time, and going to the store means putting the groceries in the passenger seat. Flying baguettes!

The XLR is a puzzle. I think they made it to appeal to women, but it doesn't feel like a ladies' car. Heavy, powerful. Makes me think of an old Jaguar XK-120 I had many years ago. Not a Miata. And I didn't really understand that when we bought it -- thought my wife would like it after we talked to a Mary Kay rep who had a lovely pink one, a few years ago. But she doesn't like to drive it, although I do.

Cars! Probably should have bought a VW neo-beetle convertible, the chick-car version just before the current one, with the flower vase. But I'm guessing the XLR is highly collectible -- expensive 2-door convertibles made by major manufacturers in limited numbers have been, in the past. We'll see!

 

[Phrede]

I think the 4 sensors would need to stay in place electrically to prevent errors. I think you should just use a sawzall and cut the panels out then let us know how it goes. In the end you could always duct tape a tarp on the frame if it started to rain.

 

[airmike]

"Second, because it would be nice to have a trunk. Not so much for me, but when we travel, my wife likes to take a suitcase. The problem, of course, is that going for a 5-hour drive up to Santa Barbara is way too much for her in an open roadster. Wind, noise, hairdo!"

Hum, so if the top is up her hair doesn't get blown, no noise or wind and trunk space!! Wa-la...your problem is solved...

Then the situation with groceries, if you are buying that many groceries put the top up and drive home from the store and put the top down again. I am guessing you don't shop for a large amount of food more than one day a week. wa-la another problem solved... with the added benefit of that one day in 343 days it does rain, your groceries don't get wet.

"Well. Sacrilege at the temple of Old GM! Makes me think of an old Jaguar XK-120 I had many years ago."
Maybe---Find a Jaguar forum and all your problems are solved!!!

 

[First Robin]

This seems to be what happens when the cars depreciate, pick up an $84,000.00 really fantastic vehicle for $25,000.00 and treat it like a piece of junk. I do not travel cross country with the top down and have all the trunk capacity I need for a several months trip. When I get to my destination, the luggage goes into my hotel/motel room and the top goes down. With the top down I still have plenty of room for groceries, you just need to learn how to arrange things in the space you have with the top down. If your wife has a problem with her hair blowing in the wind, I would suggest you get a Cadillac XLR Wind Screen and the problem is solved. I have also traveled cross country with my Tumi Luggage which fits in the space left with the top down and can be gone for several weeks. When I use my Tumi I can put the top down anytime I want to and not worry about it.

 

[Jon404]

Guys -- thanks for the comments about structural integrity and about the sensors. When the top is down, I doubt that it is part of the frame, so to speak... but will check that out carefully.

@airmike -- As for the Jag XK-120... I wouldn't buy another. It was a good car, but -- one day, outside Hotchkiss School in Commecticut, it just accelerated wildly out of control, a la Prius. Turned out a cheap little plastic clip that held up the hood-prop-up rod broke, and the rod fell right down on the carb linkage. Open throttle! Very lucky that day that I didn't kill anyone.

Tarp and duct tape, after top removal? No. Roadsters without cloth tops used to have something called tonneau covers, which weren't hard to make.

Going to the store for groceries with the top up -- I could, but I love driving with the top down. I never put it up, except when my wife is in the car.

@First Robin -- will look into Tumi luggage -- any particular bag you would recommend for the XLR? Will also check out the XLR Wind Screen... which I suppose is a Cadillac accessory part?

Now. as for treating the XLR like a piece of junk. I value simplicity. My instinct about the XLR is that it is far too tricky. The disappearing top, which they sourced from the same German company that made the Mercedes ones, is a VERY complex piece of work. And complex electro-mechanical parts break more over time. This is sort of obvious... without the top, the XLR will break less and accelerate faster. Less weight. But as for treating it like a piece of junk? Relax! I won't turn it into a 15mph low rider!

What I would be doing is lowering the eventual resale value... considerably. Once out, I doubt that all the king's horses and all the king's men could put it back in easily. Serious alignment challenge! Forget Pebble Beach someday. But -- if I do it -- it will be because I like the car for my own top-down pleasure, and have no intention of selling it, ever. Which says a lot about Cadillac's beautiful XLR design, as the perfect vehicle for warm summer nights in Southern California.

 

[HOMEGAMEROOM]

That's an interesting idea. The weather where I'm at would never allow it!

It would probably work as long as you only removed the physical panels for the top-leave all the hardware and wiring in place, since it won't occupy much space anyway. You probably can't take too much of the other hardware out, since it would only confuse the folding top control module. Leave all sensors plugged in and active. THEN DEACTIVATE THE SWITCH FOR THE FOLDING TOP INSIDE THE CAR, so there are no worries of accidentally fiddling with it (meaning little passengers or valets!), though you'll have to check to be sure it doesn't throw some kind of code.

The ugly part of it is going to be the hydraulic hoses. They can not be removed easily. You'll have to reroute and tie them somewhere in the hardware that remains.

BTW, that's just a suggestion- your mileage may vary!

 

[BoughtTheXLR]

I guess I simply don't understand this problem. If getting groceries with your wife, you need the top up, so you have lots of room in the trunk. If you are going yourself, there's lots of room in the passenger footwell, on the seat (for the appropriate bags), and in the remainder of the trunk. Worst case, the top only has to be up on the drive home. Or make a second trip for more top-down driving.

But hey, it's your car. If these turn out to be collector cars someday, the fewer 100% original ones, the better.

 

[hawkeye372]

I find plenty of room in the trunk with the top down. I just have to figure out if I want sodas or grocery bags. I can fit 5 12 packs of soda in the small area or if I go all out I put the remainder in the passenger seat. I just roll up the passenger window. As for San Diego sometimes when I was there it was raining or windy. I just wouldn't do that to a 80k + car.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[First Robin]

Tumi

I have a Black Leather bag, I think Tumi called it a duffel bag. I also have a carry on with wheels. It is Silver, the same color as my XLR. The Carry on's come in various sizes. I bought mine in Colorado Springs, they were very gracious and allowed me to take them to my XLR to make sure they would fit with the top down. The Silver is made out of material similiar to what the XLR's are made of. I also have the Black Leather Shoulder Bag, (Passport Pouch). When I was young I bought Hartman; carry on, two suiter and three suiter. With the top up all three fit with room to spare. I tried that before I bought the XLR thinking of the trips between summer and winter homes and what I would need to take.

It only takes 28 seconds for the top to go up or down, I always put mine up when I arrive at my destination to keep dirt and dust out and also to keep people honest. When I am running errands that is a lot of ups and downs and am not worried about it as it is not going to wear out anything related to operation. It is better to use it and keep everything working than just letting it be in one position all the time. In a few more months it will have 28,000 miles on it. It has been in hard rains, snow and hot boiling sun and still looks pristine.

 

[johnpbaird]

I have an answer !!

Jon,..........Buy an additional car ! Something that both you and your wife like.
The XLR is a toy, and as a unique automobile, (as a Corvette or a Ferrari) it has it's advantages and disadvantages.

There's NO WAY I'd take that top apart. Yer' lookin' fer' T-R-O-U-B-L-E !!

(IMHO)

 

[hawkeye372]

I agree totally. These cars are in a class by themselves. Unique. Just like the vette. A true joy to drive Don't mess with a good deal, A unique ride.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jon404]

You're right... I give up... the top stays on

Yes -- too difficult all the way around. Would be easier just to tow a little trailer to the store, like the kind they made for the Plymouth Prowler.

I'm not sure I'd call the XLR a toy, though. I drive mine every day, and it is a good solid tough car. Will have to take a note from St Francis and live smaller and simpler... at least for stuff you put in the trunk.

Funny, isn't it? GM cooks up the perfect car for all those country-club golf guys (and their wives)... but you can't put a bag of clubs in the back!

 

[Stella]

Funny, isn't it? GM cooks up the perfect car for all those country-club golf guys (and their wives)... but you can't put a bag of clubs in the back![/QUOTE]

Isn't that what your"caddy's" for

 

[Jon404]

LOL! You know, it's wonderful to be an XLR owner -- can you imagine a Mercedes or BMW owner laughing about some aspect of their Das Reich-mobiles?

But Stella, I promise you I will NEVER drive my XLR out on some sainted golf course, like Augusta, to avoid lugging one of those bags around.