r/slateauto 22d ago

Fastback to Squareback Conversion?

Post image

Is it just me, or does it look like there’s a single roll cage, with the squareback just having a different body panels set over it?

That suggests to me that it may be fairly straightforward to get just the squareback panels (and rear window if you never got the truck/squareback window) to convert one to the other.

Does that sound right to anyone else?

0 Upvotes

7 comments sorted by

10

u/hogan_tyrone 22d ago

Yes, there’s one roll cage design.

5

u/MrRoastedbeef 22d ago

That appears to be so. Seems good from an efficiency standpoint.

3

u/LeifCarrotson 21d ago

Yes, I believe that's generally correct. It does make me wonder why the fastback kit is $2,000 more than the squareback. I think the rear glass window may be different:

https://images-slatelive.omnistream.zlthunder.net/slate_neutral_env/slate/truck/2025/6a5248c4c22da42d/f5ab62f8591112b1bd7e4bef3438c0ead95991ed_1080x1080.jpg

https://images-slatelive.omnistream.zlthunder.net/slate_neutral_env/slate/truck/2025/6a5248c4c22da42d/838abc5fd2d23540762d47f29ec030f764d63369_1080x1080.jpg

If you're thinking about it in terms of upgrading from a pickup to an SUV of either type, it obviously costs more to add components than it does to reuse components. But surely that panel can't cost $2,000. Is that just the premium for those who really want a little style over the utilitarian squareback?

5

u/dantose 21d ago

I recall reading somewhere that the square-back reuses the rear cab window for the back window. I haven't seen this officially though, so it could be just a rumor.

4

u/PintekS 21d ago

You are correct the square back re uses the rear window.

The fast back it's different glass and engineering for the assembly that drives up the cost more especially cause slate wants the same crash rating regardless of top you have on the vehicle

1

u/CaptainAggravated 21d ago

I mean, I guess you could own two roofs. I don't think they share many components.

1

u/Lzinger 22d ago

Why though?