I've alredy checked out the the link to how to build your own hardtop stand (thanks pfb), but I was just wondering, is it even necessary to have a stand? I mean, is there something that prevents you from just laying the top flat on the ground on some cushioning, besides the fact that it would take up a lot more room?

 

I would think if you set it down like it sits on the car, you would bend the pins that locate it to the car, and if you laid it on it's back you would scratch the paint.

Check out xviper's post on hanging the HT from his garage ceiling.

 

Those pins are quite sturdy, and will not bend if you just set the top down on them. Your main concern is not to squish the rubber seals so that they don't seal properly when you reinstall the hardtop. Since the seals are recessed somewhat, you can easily just rest the hardtop on a flat surface without doing any damage. Put some cardboard or a blanket under the back of it, and it'll be fine. That is how I have mine right now until I get a hardtop hoist built.

 

I sat mine in my apt. for about a month. It leaned against the wall on the bottom edge (ie the edge under the rear windshield sat on the ground) with a couple of folded towels under it and had no problems whatsoever. Doesn't take up nearly as much space that way either.

 

I left mine flat on the floor for the first 6 months I owned it. I just stuck the latch pins into the thick blocks of packing foam that were in the shipping box when it was new. Any dense foam would work if you don't have these. I rocked it back and forth to find the most stable position, threw a blanket over it and it was fine, no problems!

Then I made this, and am happy with the change.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by munckee
[B]I sat mine in my apt. for about a month.