Will you have self control when choosing add-ons?

[sodamo]

Good point. I could see building a little hoist in the garage to remove/install & store the SUV tops when not in use. I’ve seen people do that for Miata’s and Z3s that have the optional hard top.

Have had similar thought. Don’t expect to take it off often. My challenge so far is how to manage with the overhead door.

 

[Whitesands]

I'm not sure about the fastback, but I think they intend the SUV kit to be a flatpack and should stack easily on the side. I saw in a video from the launch that the sides and top were separable panels.

 

[Swinefuzz]

Good point. I could see building a little hoist in the garage to remove/install & store the SUV tops when not in use. I’ve seen people do that for Miata’s and Z3s that have the optional hard top.

My old Jeep hardtop was a solid 200+LB piece of equipment and a tiny chore to install, uninstall and store. I kept it hoisted up to the garage ceiling and only used it in the winter and got rid of it after about 3 yrs. It was always in the way and I don't miss it one bit. The soft top is a completely different story. The frame + fabric together are only a fraction of the size and weight and can be stored on wall hooks or an open shelf.

Slate's SUV shell kits are multi-piece. SA has not released video of the process, yet, but I believe all the individual pieces attach to the rollbar in only minutes. If this is so, they would not need storing as one big assembled piece. It might not even be possible to install or uninstall in one piece. It would be very, very heavy, probably 150-300 LBs of glass and fiberglass and that might just be the weight of the shell WITHOUT the rollbar, which is all steel. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole thing topped 400 LBs. And then there's the seats, if optioned. But wait. There's more. The SUV kit w/ seats also includes interior wall panels that look like the interior panels of the 2 front doors with armrests and cupholders, so that's even more to consider for storage.

If the intention is to keep the rollbar on the vehicle at all times, that makes it a lot easier. Just remove the side windows and roof panel(s) and rear hatch and store the 4 or 5 pieces. Maybe.

 

[cvollers]

My old Jeep hardtop was a solid 200+LB piece of equipment and a tiny chore to install, uninstall and store. I kept it hoisted up to the garage ceiling and only used it in the winter and got rid of it after about 3 yrs. It was always in the way and I don't miss it one bit. The soft top is a completely different story. The frame + fabric together are only a fraction of the size and weight and can be stored on wall hooks or an open shelf.

Slate's SUV shell kits are multi-piece. SA has not released video of the process, yet, but I believe all the individual pieces attach to the rollbar in only minutes. If this is so, they would not need storing as one big assembled piece. It might not even be possible to install or uninstall in one piece. It would be very, very heavy, probably 150-300 LBs of glass and fiberglass and that might just be the weight of the shell WITHOUT the rollbar, which is all steel. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole thing topped 400 LBs. And then there's the seats, if optioned. But wait. There's more. The SUV kit w/ seats also includes interior wall panels that look like the interior panels of the 2 front doors with armrests and cupholders, so that's even more to consider for storage.

If the intention is to keep the rollbar on the vehicle at all times, that makes it a lot easier. Just remove the side windows and roof panel(s) and rear hatch and store the 4 or 5 pieces. Maybe.

A folding soft top (with removable soft side panels) would be a great option for the Slate Open Air. I’m sure some enterprising 3rd party is thinking about offering this and can’t wait to scan a production Slate with the roll bar installed.

 

[Swinefuzz]

I thoroughly agree.
I'm not planning on any SUV kit upgrade. At this time, I've no need for a second row of seats or rollbar or shell at all.
But I do brainstorm stuff like a soft top shell over the bed as opposed to a tonneau cover or a truck tent or camper shell.

 

[Just some guy]

Yeah I'll have self control cause I'm always just a step away from broke all the time. Bills are paid but have little for extras

 

[Luxrage]

I did a DIY “SUV conversion” to my ‘74 GMC K1500 about 20 years ago and have used it twice for passengers. Sure, it comes out, but then it’s taking up garage space.

My apartment-living friend had a second 'sofa' in the living room that was the rear bench seat to his Toyota Previa. Needed the seats out for the rear cargo space and didn't have a garage to store them in!

If the hard top roof panels are all separate it wouldn't be too difficult to have a vertical stand to hold them all in. But I'm with the others that if I had the hardtop, I'd probably keep the seats and roll bar in it the whole time like old 4Runners.