Removing Soft Top for Winter
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 446
Likes: 13
From: Nine Mile Falls WA
Removing Soft Top for Winter
Does anybody completely remove their soft top when putting the hard top on for the Winter?
I used to do this with my '66 'vert because it was really easy. Big bonus - it gave me tons more storage space in the back for the (limited) good weather driving during the winter months. I've lived through two winters with my '93 leaving the soft top folded in place and would like to do it this winter if it's not too bad. I'll look more closely at how difficult it may be, but I wonder if anybody else does this on a regular basis and can comment on the time / value they think of the job. Thanks,
I used to do this with my '66 'vert because it was really easy. Big bonus - it gave me tons more storage space in the back for the (limited) good weather driving during the winter months. I've lived through two winters with my '93 leaving the soft top folded in place and would like to do it this winter if it's not too bad. I'll look more closely at how difficult it may be, but I wonder if anybody else does this on a regular basis and can comment on the time / value they think of the job. Thanks,
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
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From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I started to do this but the torx bolts holding the top to the body are really a bitch to get to. There is not enough room to get a ratchet and torx bit in there. They there is the issue of storing the soft top somewhere.
It would be nice to do though as you would actually have storage space for a trip. Good question!
It would be nice to do though as you would actually have storage space for a trip. Good question!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I have folded the soft top down and kept it there for as long as 4 months when I had the hardtop on my 92 vert. The soft top didn't have any nasty creases in it and the plastic back window survived without scratches as I laid a soft clean bath towel in the fold.
You would save the 6" or so of room where the folded top would sit, but with the hardtop on, you are still limited to putting anything in the storage area that will only fit thru the opening behind the seats. That's still a small area.
I had thought once about getting another decklid and cutting the material out around the inside edge of the hardtop. It looked like you could remove about a foot deep and as wide as the glass window of the hardtop and that would create a pretty big open space.
The decklid doesn't provide a lot of structual rigidity for the hardtop except at the edges. Leave the outside edge where the decklid body latches are and the locator pin latches but cut the rest out. Trim the new decklid to be smooth and you have a sort of a fixed roof coupe inside like a Z06.
The decklid itself is easy to remove with only the 4 bolts holding it to the hinges and a single wire for the release button at the driver's side corner.
You would save the 6" or so of room where the folded top would sit, but with the hardtop on, you are still limited to putting anything in the storage area that will only fit thru the opening behind the seats. That's still a small area.
I had thought once about getting another decklid and cutting the material out around the inside edge of the hardtop. It looked like you could remove about a foot deep and as wide as the glass window of the hardtop and that would create a pretty big open space.
The decklid doesn't provide a lot of structual rigidity for the hardtop except at the edges. Leave the outside edge where the decklid body latches are and the locator pin latches but cut the rest out. Trim the new decklid to be smooth and you have a sort of a fixed roof coupe inside like a Z06.
The decklid itself is easy to remove with only the 4 bolts holding it to the hinges and a single wire for the release button at the driver's side corner.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
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From: Slidell Louisiana
I scoped the job out yesterday and removing the top does not appear too daunting. I think the reinstallation will be a little challenging however, that is many months away. Since no one has claimed that they have removed the soft top prior to installing the hard top; I guess I'll try this when it gets cold and stays cold and post the results.
Last year I bought a case of 16oz bottles and could not get it to fit it the boot intact. So I stood in the parking lot and put the bottles in the car one at a time. I will not be limited to 12oz servings off soothing elixer this winter!
Mike
Last year I bought a case of 16oz bottles and could not get it to fit it the boot intact. So I stood in the parking lot and put the bottles in the car one at a time. I will not be limited to 12oz servings off soothing elixer this winter!
Mike
Last edited by aboatguy; Oct 1, 2005 at 05:05 PM.
