C4 HardTop
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
From: TN
C4 HardTop
Question; I have an '87 vert and want to install a hardtop on it, but as you all know there were no hardtops in 87. What all do I have to do to get an '89 & up top to work? I would like to see pic if any of you guys have done this. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: ELK-MAHA Nebraska
Pending on IF you can LOCATE the HARD-TOP ... You would fold your Convertible top down and the HARDTOP would bolt in @ the windshield and it attaches to the rear BOOT like your convertible top did ( Be warey of the condition of your rag-top now because it will be sitting in the compacted area if you intend to drive with the hard-top mounted on the car....( My neighbor has a ruby red 40Th Ann. and he bought it from someone that had a Hardtop mounted on the car all the time and it took its toll on the convertible top.....
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,168
Likes: 943
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
The installation advice for an '87 given above is quite a bit oversimplified and incomplete. Here's what you're looking at:
You'll need to install '89 or newer decklid bezels (and then figure out a new way to hookup the deck release because the old system is different); you'll need '89 or newer windshield header brackets; and you should also come up with a way to attach the "B" pillar brackets (the pre '89 cars have no angle mounts near the seatbelt towers).
You can get away without the "B" pillar attachment points but you'll lose the intregal rollbar feature of the factory hardtop. The soft top doesn't have the rollbar anyway, so I don't see that as an issue for street driving. The real problem of not using the "B" pillar brackets is body flex inherent in our convertible cars. That can be addressed with the use of an R-D Crossbar......... my car has over 500 RWTQ and doesn't have any flex since I put in the crossbar.
So, there you have it
You'll need to install '89 or newer decklid bezels (and then figure out a new way to hookup the deck release because the old system is different); you'll need '89 or newer windshield header brackets; and you should also come up with a way to attach the "B" pillar brackets (the pre '89 cars have no angle mounts near the seatbelt towers).
You can get away without the "B" pillar attachment points but you'll lose the intregal rollbar feature of the factory hardtop. The soft top doesn't have the rollbar anyway, so I don't see that as an issue for street driving. The real problem of not using the "B" pillar brackets is body flex inherent in our convertible cars. That can be addressed with the use of an R-D Crossbar......... my car has over 500 RWTQ and doesn't have any flex since I put in the crossbar.
So, there you have it
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 7
From: Kanata ON.
"attach the "B" pillar brackets (the pre '89 cars have no angle mounts near the seatbelt towers). "
You have to replace the brackets that hold the soft top on at the B pillar 89 and newer, then the B pillar brackets for the hard top attach (bolt) to the soft top brackets. It is a lot of work finding the correct parts! I picked mine up for 600 US, the extra brackets and hardware were another 300$ US and now I need to get it painted.
John
You have to replace the brackets that hold the soft top on at the B pillar 89 and newer, then the B pillar brackets for the hard top attach (bolt) to the soft top brackets. It is a lot of work finding the correct parts! I picked mine up for 600 US, the extra brackets and hardware were another 300$ US and now I need to get it painted.
John
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
From: TN
My car was damaged when I bought it, the frame for the top was broken in half on the drivers side. So I took out the whole top,frame and all and diposed of it! I have no top at all and thought the hardtop would be easier plus I like the looks alot.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Southlake Texas
C4 Hardtop
Just to add a little more: see my post/reply on C4 hardtops on the tech/perf forum. I've bought 2 hardtops on Ebay for $700 each. (local pick-up)..don't buy without the side brackets! ! ! ! !
Last edited by ballonfoot; Feb 4, 2008 at 01:06 PM. Reason: spelling
