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Hey guys, my 1974 came with an auxiliary hard top. Apparently this was not factory original, but I like it. My rear deck does NOT have the holes and inserts mounted to bolt the top down behind the seats. At the moment I can only attach using the three front latches and the two rear spring loaded pins. I've read that bolting the top to the rear deck lid will remove a bit of the squeak and obviously secure the top better. Is there a jig or template available for drilling the sides of the rear deck lid to accept the mounting hardware? Seems kinda sketchy just eyeballing it.
Can you post a couple pictures of what you are referring to. My hardtop bolts to the rear of the Deck Lid itself along with the 2 chrome clamps in the front.
Some of the vendors sell the receiving hardware that mounts on the SIDE of the rear deck. You can find them in the Top Flight Catalog, but first you will need the metal brackets and rubber covers that are mounted to the hardtop. You will need to get these from a salvage dealer as no one else sells them. Years ago I reached out to Ernie
at Willcox and he found some for me. That was the type of person he was, I miss reading all his posts!
My hard top has the brackets and the rubber trim covers intact. My deck lid is just not drilled for the appropriate hardware to bolt the top to the car (deck lid).
Some of the vendors sell the receiving hardware that mounts on the SIDE of the rear deck. You can find them in the Top Flight Catalog, but first you will need the metal brackets and rubber covers that are mounted to the hardtop. You will need to get these from a salvage dealer as no one else sells them. Years ago I reached out to Ernie
at Willcox and he found some for me. That was the type of person he was, I miss reading all his posts!
My hard top has the brackets and the rubber trim covers intact. My deck lid is just not drilled for the appropriate hardware to bolt the top to the car (deck lid).
My hard top has the brackets and the rubber trim covers intact. My deck lid is just not drilled for the appropriate hardware to bolt the top to the car (deck lid).
I'll try to take some pics today and add dimensions to the pics for locating the holes and chrome plates.
You are right...don't "guess" about the hole locations...they are also designed for adjusting the hardtop and soft top for a good fit when the windows are rolled up.
I'll try to take some pics today and add dimensions to the pics for locating the holes and chrome plates.
You are right...don't "guess" about the hole locations...they are also designed for adjusting the hardtop and soft top for a good fit when the windows are rolled up.
Once you buy the side mounting nuts/bolts and associated parts, simply mount your hardtop on your car. I like to cover the fiberglass area with Painters Tape. Precisely MARK where to drill the hole, then remove the hardtop. I like start with a small New Drill Bit, then next go to a larger size. You will need a nut driver for the chrome nuts that hold the bracket. Let me know if you want some photos.
Once you buy the side mounting nuts/bolts and associated parts, simply mount your hardtop on your car. I like to cover the fiberglass area with Painters Tape. Precisely MARK where to drill the hole, then remove the hardtop. I like start with a small New Drill Bit, then next go to a larger size. You will need a nut driver for the chrome nuts that hold the bracket. Let me know if you want some photos.
A couple photos would be great. I get the concept, but the hand drawn ASM prints leave a lot tot he imagination.
Here you go You can see the bracket on the hardtop, left front of photo
I made these to keep the long bolts from scratching the rear deck
Thanks. My hard top has the same lock in place pins installed as the soft top. My rear deck is already scratched up from the hard top and will get a repaint down the road. That's how I assumed the threaded inserts went, but this is the first photo I have seen of the side of the rear deck lid with them installed.
All I ever used were the front latches and the 2 rear deck pins. I never bolted mine down. Good luck.
I hadn't either (neither had the PO obviously). It does squeak and chatter quite a bit with just the latches and rear pins, so I'm hoping that this helps quiet it down at the expense of taking an extra 60 seconds to install and remove.
Be extra careful when drilling in the side of your rear deck. Theses cars are old and we don’t know what punishment they have endured. Good Luck, go slow, you may have noticed that one bracket has enlarged hole, adjusted to fit receiver on side of deck.
Be extra careful when drilling in the side of your rear deck. Theses cars are old and we don’t know what punishment they have endured. Good Luck, go slow, you may have noticed that one bracket has enlarged hole, adjusted to fit receiver on side of deck.
I wondered why only one side was adjustable. It seems like both sides should potentially be adjustable.
Convertible Hard Top mounting question
