Notices
C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

convertible hardtop

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-12-2018, 11:57 AM
  #1  
Greg Johnson
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
 
Greg Johnson's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2000
Location: Esko MN
Posts: 1,015
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default convertible hardtop

Friends,
I just bought a hardtop for my 94 convertible. I have all the hardware, but not sure how to install it so I can put the top on. Can anyone direct me to any factory instructions or other help? Thank you kindly.
Old 02-12-2018, 01:02 PM
  #2  
c4cruiser
Team Owner

 
c4cruiser's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 1999
Location: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
Posts: 34,873
Received 476 Likes on 423 Posts
NCM Sinkhole Donor

Default

Here's the instruction manual fo rinstalling the factory hardtop:








They may not appear in the correct order, but each step is numbered. You should be able to print each image and keep them in the car.
Old 02-12-2018, 03:00 PM
  #3  
Greg Johnson
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
 
Greg Johnson's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2000
Location: Esko MN
Posts: 1,015
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default convertible hardtop

Thank you, c4cruiser!
Originally Posted by c4cruiser
Here's the instruction manual fo rinstalling the factory hardtop:








They may not appear in the correct order, but each step is numbered. You should be able to print each image and keep them in the car.
Old 02-12-2018, 09:56 PM
  #4  
Maldini
Instructor
 
Maldini's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2018
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posts: 177
Received 26 Likes on 20 Posts
Default

Where does one even find a hardtop nowadays? Just have to get lucky?
Old 02-13-2018, 12:39 PM
  #5  
c4cruiser
Team Owner

 
c4cruiser's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 1999
Location: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
Posts: 34,873
Received 476 Likes on 423 Posts
NCM Sinkhole Donor

Default

Originally Posted by Maldini
Where does one even find a hardtop nowadays? Just have to get lucky?
Hardtops will occasionally show up in the C4 Parts For Sale section. The chances of finding one in the same color as your car will probably be real slim but a good auto body/paint shop can repaint the top to match the car.

Make sure that a top you want to buy includes the two steel mounting brackets (lock pillar brackets). These brackets are what secures to top to the car and increases body stiffness. Without them, the rear locking pins that go into the decklid can rip the decklid lock out!

Also look for a top with the weatherstripping in really good condition! It cost hundreds of dollars for replacement weatherstripping...
Old 02-13-2018, 12:45 PM
  #6  
pologreen1
Team Owner
 
pologreen1's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Received 260 Likes on 239 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Maldini
Where does one even find a hardtop nowadays? Just have to get lucky?
EBAY, Here, Craigslist, anywhere.

I bought the smoothline aftermarket one first from down south, then I sold it local, because I bought a GM one local.

Shipping for many were like 400-500 for me.

I had the smooth line shipped airfreight with a roll bar for 150.

An average top is 500. Some ask all the way up to 1500.

Aftermarket does not tie in to car, GM has the brackets seen above.

Some have defrost some don't.
Old 02-14-2018, 11:40 AM
  #7  
1984Z51auto
Pro
 
1984Z51auto's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2003
Location: Denver Colorado
Posts: 706
Received 43 Likes on 38 Posts

Default

If you need the brackets and hardware, there are two sets on ebay now and usually they are available. The hard thing to get seems to be the carpet deck lid protector.
Old 02-14-2018, 12:08 PM
  #8  
c4cruiser
Team Owner

 
c4cruiser's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 1999
Location: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
Posts: 34,873
Received 476 Likes on 423 Posts
NCM Sinkhole Donor

Default

That decklid cover is a great thing to have so that the paint on the decklid won't be scratched. I would bet that an automotive upholstery shop could make one. IIRC, they were a cardboard base and covered with a cloth material. They were a friction fit so no snaps or ties would be needed.
Old 02-14-2018, 06:28 PM
  #9  
1984Z51auto
Pro
 
1984Z51auto's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2003
Location: Denver Colorado
Posts: 706
Received 43 Likes on 38 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by c4cruiser
That decklid cover is a great thing to have so that the paint on the decklid won't be scratched. I would bet that an automotive upholstery shop could make one. IIRC, they were a cardboard base and covered with a cloth material. They were a friction fit so no snaps or ties would be needed.
You are correct, they are a good idea to save the paint. The OE ones are molded to fit over the latches and seem to be made out of un-obtainum, that rare substance used for a lot of old Corvette parts.
Old 02-17-2018, 12:37 AM
  #10  
KMS88Cal#16
Racer
 
KMS88Cal#16's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 483
Received 140 Likes on 103 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 1984Z51auto
You are correct, they are a good idea to save the paint. The OE ones are molded to fit over the latches and seem to be made out of un-obtainum, that rare substance used for a lot of old Corvette parts.
I bought one of the OE molded ones on EBay last fall for $250.
Old 03-04-2024, 08:17 PM
  #11  
ellis1969
Intermediate
 
ellis1969's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2015
Location: SC
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

The decklid cover for my 89 conv. disappeared over the winter. Would like to replace. Is "decklid cover" the right terminology to search?
Old 03-05-2024, 06:52 AM
  #12  
2011KLR
Racer

 
2011KLR's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2022
Posts: 410
Received 121 Likes on 87 Posts
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by ellis1969
The decklid cover for my 89 conv. disappeared over the winter. Would like to replace. Is "decklid cover" the right terminology to search?
I can't picture what you mean??? Unless you mean the fabric piece that lays on top of the movable piece of the rear deck, inside of the top, when it is up. If so, I didn't think that part is supposed to be removable.

sre

P.S. Howdy neighbor, i'm in Libery, SC. - Triple black '88 convertible.
Old 03-05-2024, 08:37 AM
  #13  
ellis1969
Intermediate
 
ellis1969's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2015
Location: SC
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

What I had was a semi-rigid piece that was a carpet-like fabric over heavier cardboard-like substrate.. It was form-fitted to cover the hold-down bolts at the back of the hardtop and the the entire back deck under the hardtop. About 40" wide and about 16" deep.
Old 03-05-2024, 12:02 PM
  #14  
2011KLR
Racer

 
2011KLR's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2022
Posts: 410
Received 121 Likes on 87 Posts
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Ah yes. I read the thread finally (doh). I've never had a hardtop, i didnt know that was a thing. Good luck finding one. But as the thread mentioned, surely one could be made.

sre
Old 03-05-2024, 12:39 PM
  #15  
ellis1969
Intermediate
 
ellis1969's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2015
Location: SC
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Thanks sre. Veteran? Which branch. Former USAF pilot, here, 1971-1975.
I may have to take a piece of carpet and cut to shape.
Old 03-05-2024, 01:35 PM
  #16  
2011KLR
Racer

 
2011KLR's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2022
Posts: 410
Received 121 Likes on 87 Posts
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by ellis1969
Thanks sre. Veteran? Which branch. Former USAF pilot, here, 1971-1975.
I may have to take a piece of carpet and cut to shape.
Nice. I was USAF. 1989 - 1993.

Wasnt a pilot though

If you tell an Admin, they will give you the VETERAN marker too.

sre

Get notified of new replies

To convertible hardtop




Quick Reply: convertible hardtop



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:47 AM.