Convertible top assembly removal
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: SoCal
Originally Posted by mikegarrison,Sep 18 2007, 08:36 AM
For what? It's not very useable. And it will expose a lot of wiring and such that could be screwed up if you start tossing your extra golf clubs or track tires or whatever into it.
It will also make the interior of the car a LOT louder.
I pulled the soft top out of my car because I welded in a roll bar that would not have worked with the soft top anyway. But that ruined the car for anything except track driving. Really. Don't do this unless you are really making the car a dedicated track car. You'll regret it.
Besides, the hard top mounts are designed to bolt in to the soft top structure. If you pull it out, you need to fab up a replacement. (I have a replacement mounting point welded onto my roll bar.)
But no, it's not that hard. Took me about 3 hours. Worst part was finding someone else to help lift the top out -- that's not a one-man job.
It will also make the interior of the car a LOT louder.
I pulled the soft top out of my car because I welded in a roll bar that would not have worked with the soft top anyway. But that ruined the car for anything except track driving. Really. Don't do this unless you are really making the car a dedicated track car. You'll regret it.
Besides, the hard top mounts are designed to bolt in to the soft top structure. If you pull it out, you need to fab up a replacement. (I have a replacement mounting point welded onto my roll bar.)
But no, it's not that hard. Took me about 3 hours. Worst part was finding someone else to help lift the top out -- that's not a one-man job.
sounds confusing I know but once you see how it's supposed to work it will make sense.
BTW - I removed 3 soft-tops with no DIY - it just took a long time to make sure all the pieces were not damaged. It's a 5+ hour job.
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
Originally Posted by rikhemi,Sep 19 2007, 08:13 AM
Just to clarify, is that black piece the top sits on the rain rail?
Or is it the piece the convertible top is connect to by the bottom when you take out the rear panel in the area the convertible top sits when its down.
Also, have taken mostly everything off, but got stuck at one area. I didnt know you had to take out the roll hoops to get to one screw which holds the panel for the convertible top. Is their any way around this or do I have to remove the roll hoops with the glove compartment.
Thanks for any help
Or is it the piece the convertible top is connect to by the bottom when you take out the rear panel in the area the convertible top sits when its down.
Also, have taken mostly everything off, but got stuck at one area. I didnt know you had to take out the roll hoops to get to one screw which holds the panel for the convertible top. Is their any way around this or do I have to remove the roll hoops with the glove compartment.
Thanks for any help
Not sure what you are talking about on that last question.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: SoCal
Originally Posted by rikhemi,Sep 19 2007, 10:34 AM
Also, I read a post that their are two welding points on the convertible top. one on each side that you need to use a dremmel to take them off. Is this true??
the whole assembly comes out in one piece - easier to reinstall if you don't cut it up. the 2 motors are easy to unbolt.
my advice - find a local who has done this and buy him some dinner or pay him to help you.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Miami, FL
Yea might have to do that. But I have the helms manual so I think I might be able to finish it off.
Infront of the convertible top motors, there is a piece of metal which hides them. This is the piece im talking about. One of the bolts are underneath the roll hoop. Im just trying to find a way to take out that nut without taking out the whole glove compartment/roll hoops.
Ive already done most of the work. Unless i have to take out the glove compartment, then it would probably add another 30 minutes to the job.
Infront of the convertible top motors, there is a piece of metal which hides them. This is the piece im talking about. One of the bolts are underneath the roll hoop. Im just trying to find a way to take out that nut without taking out the whole glove compartment/roll hoops.
Ive already done most of the work. Unless i have to take out the glove compartment, then it would probably add another 30 minutes to the job.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Orange County CA
You dont need to remove them, but it would make it easier to pull the soft top out without breaking any of the plastic trim around them 
I left mine in and cracked a small piece of plastic trim at the bottom of the roll hoop
.
I left mine in and cracked a small piece of plastic trim at the bottom of the roll hoop
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 4
From: Miami, FL
Oh.. Ok. So the piece im talking about, the one that covers where convertible top motor goes(the faded red piece), has a screw underneath the roll hoop, I can move that piece around a bit since thats the only nut holding it to the housing and lift up the top?
If thats the case it makes it easier. Hopefully everything goes smoothly.
The good think is once thats off, to put all the panels back should be a piece of cake since I have all the room, but I can imagine if i ever sell the car the hassel it would be to put the convertible top assembly back.
If thats the case it makes it easier. Hopefully everything goes smoothly.
The good think is once thats off, to put all the panels back should be a piece of cake since I have all the room, but I can imagine if i ever sell the car the hassel it would be to put the convertible top assembly back.
, but my friend has removed his then put it back and removed it again 