I was under the assumption (I know that is dangerous) that they would be interchangable. I just got the AP2 latches in from a member here and they do not fit. It appears that they are different sizes, and the top is not latching. There is a gap between the top and the frame, also it seems I have to force the top to get secure. Is it an install issue (just screwing it in) or is there that much of a difference between the models.

 

You may need to upgrade the strikers as well.

 

Are you sure theyre softop latches? I have a set of latches on my softop and a set of dedicated Hardtop Latches which are much bigger than the other ones.. Check the side of the actual latch and see if it says anything on it.

 

On the left is a soft top latch, new style (long, fat hook).

On the right is a soft top latch, old style (00-01 short, skinny hook)

Hardtop latch will be short, fat hook (not show) It will also say "hardtop only" on the latch.

They are all interchangeable, but using long latches on a hardtop will leave rub marks on the headliner of the top.

 

i upgraded the strikers as well and still am not having any luck. only one latch will fully fasten, and the other side appears not to line up. IF i can get both sides secure, there is a significant gap between the car and the top.

 

You have the latch screws in right? One is tapered, one is flat. Mixing them up will result in crooked latches.

 

i do have the correct screws (1 flat, 1 rounded). I am not sure what the difference was from what I was doing last nigt to this mornining BUT everything fits. I might have had the screws mixed up like you stated above. The fit is SUPER tight, which might eliminate some of the whistle I was experiencing as well. Thanks everyone for your help.

 

So if I understand this correctly, they are interchangeable as long as you have both the latches and the strikers from the same generation, correct? Both the latches and strikers must be from an AP1, or both latches/strikers from AP2 in order for them to work properly. Correct me if I'm not reading that right.