I have a secondhand hardtop to fit and need some advice please, preferably from someone who has done the job.

The hardtop is from a MY2002 - my car is also MY2002.

Now, I have the hardtop which I think would fit straight onto a GT or suitably modded standard car i.e it has the spikes, latch things at the back and front, wiring, quarter panels etc all in place.

So logic suggests that all I need are the parts fitted to the car and not a complete fitting kit.

Can anyone confirm the parts I need and idea of cost please? An idiot's guide to fitting them would also help.

 

Go to the sponsor section and look at the HondA fitting instructions. Should answer your questions. I did my install in approximately 3 hours being extra careful.

 

Fsures - thanks - the instructions will be helpful.

I'd still like distilled advice/views from people who can envisage my situation.

For example, will the hardtop latches on my hardtop clip straight to the existing frame catches? What are the precise components that are fitted to the car only?

 

gaddafi:

I don't have a hardtop, but I'm pretty sure you need a new set of(different ) catches for the hard top.

There have been a few threads that have warned of making sure you get all the bits associated with the hardtop from the donor car.

I seem to recall that Honda can be bloody awkward about supplying the fitting kit without a top and even more awkward about supplying random bits of the fitting kit.

I'm sure they're not insurmountable problems though, but can you get the bits from the seller?

 

Cedric

No, I can't get the bits from the donor car.

I'm rather intrigued as to why Honda would be obstructive in terms of supplying fitting kits or odd bits of said kits.

Eventually, as more cars are scrapped, or sold without their hardtops there will be more hardtops on the secondhand market, and customers needing the odd bits to fit them.

And what would they say to someone who had accident damage and needed bits?

I can't find any of the threads you mention - please let me know if you know where to find them. I'd apprecaite hearing from anyone who has encountered obstruction (as opposed to ignorance).

I like this sort of challenge though. I shall visit my local dealer tomorrow with interest and perhaps remind them that I'm the bloke that paid them

 

gaddafi:

Hope I'm not misleading you mate, but I think you've got the right attitude to approach the dealer with anyway!

The bloke you want is Tif. He definitely fitted his own and is very knowledgable you'll find, about the bits needed.

I can't find the post either, but it was fairly recent and it involved a guy buying the roof, fitting it temporarily and driving a looong way home to find he hadn't got the bits and I seem to recall he had problems getting them.

I'm sure you'll get it sorted! I agree, there have been a few 2nd hand hard tops for sale of late and we'll get more of this as the car gets older and changes hands more.

 

Gaddafi,

As Cedric says, Tifosi Red is the guy to speak to; he did this job all by himself too.

However, I do know that he's very busy just now... new house, new job, and no internet access from his new house yet, so he's not on the baord very often and he may therefore miss this thread. I suggest that you send him a PM with your request and I'm sure he'd be able to assist.

Pete

 

I had the opportunity to buy an apparently very reasonably priced H/T a month or so ago. It did not come with the fixing kit so I thought 'no problem, I'll just buy one from Honda UK' - wrong!
I got a quote from a dealer (supported by a qote Dog Biscuit also got) for ~

 

Pete - thanks for the info re Tif. I'll give him a few days and then perhaps PM as you suggest
Ian - interesting.

I've not been to my local dealer yet (I'm waiting for my very large and scarey looking friend who accompanies me when facing potential 'differences of opinion'). Amazing how people become helpful when he is around. He doesen't even speak, just ambles around slowly picking things up and putting them down. He does like to look at people though, which they seem to find unsettling for some reason.

I won't be surprised if they quote some silly prices to begin with. I've heard our US friends quoted about $480 (that is dollars) for both side catchers, the bits the spikes engage with. Obviously that's a joke and so if necessary I will get some made up by another large gentleman who makes metal stuff.

I suspect then there might be a nice little market for a 'Gaddafi fitting kit' for people like you and me in the future. But before then I need to see Tif's car or a GT with the lid off somewhere.

Will keep you all informed.

 

Right. Objective was to price/obtain the bits needed to fit an otherwise complete hardtop to a MY2002.

Good news - no problem about them selling individual bits from what in total would constitute a fitting kit.

Hardly surprising given the prices!

Basically, from what I have worked out so far, the key bits I am missing are what as known as "catchers". These are the mountings that bolt to the inner rear wing. They hold the spikes on the bottom of the hardtop. Small bit of metal, not exactly complex, held in place by four bolts. Honda price?