Hardtop install help on 87
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Elverson, PA
Hardtop install help on 87
I'm having a little bit of a challenge installing a factory hartop on my 1987 convertible. I have all the bolts and side mounting brackets (L shaped and the brackets that attach to the B-pillar). Everything was going fine until I got to the rear bolts. Does the convertible top need to be out of the car? It is really difficult to manuever my arm to attach the rear bolts while the hardtop is on the car. Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
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make sure you are parked on a level surface, start the bolts , I usually start the rears first, then theres enough movement to 'jiggle' the top and get the front ones started. there is movement in both the top and the screws to allow you to gently start them. Then I always tighten the rears first and then the fronts.,,,,, just realized you were talking bout a 'hard' top and not a targa top, my bad , but yes the vert top needs to be out of the way
Last edited by oldalaskaman; Nov 17, 2010 at 01:11 AM. Reason: more info
- 1986 Original Owner -
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Burning Brakes
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From: Placerville CA
Does the convertible top need to be out of the car? It is really difficult to manuever my arm to attach the rear bolts while the hardtop is on the car.
I removed mine ('94) to glue in a rear window just by removing three nuts from the mounting brackets on each side. You'll probably need a helper to lift it off -- it's not heavy but clumsy to maneuver. Don't forget to unhook the defroster leads on the rear window.
Instructor
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From: La Verne California
Can't answer that but it's very easy to remove the entire soft top assembly and there is little reason to keep it in there if you have a hardtop on -- Lord knows storage space is limited enough already.
I removed mine ('94) to glue in a rear window just by removing three nuts from the mounting brackets on each side. You'll probably need a helper to lift it off -- it's not heavy but clumsy to maneuver. Don't forget to unhook the defroster leads on the rear window.
I removed mine ('94) to glue in a rear window just by removing three nuts from the mounting brackets on each side. You'll probably need a helper to lift it off -- it's not heavy but clumsy to maneuver. Don't forget to unhook the defroster leads on the rear window.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Birmingham AL
I'm having a little bit of a challenge installing a factory hartop on my 1987 convertible. I have all the bolts and side mounting brackets (L shaped and the brackets that attach to the B-pillar). Everything was going fine until I got to the rear bolts. Does the convertible top need to be out of the car? It is really difficult to manuever my arm to attach the rear bolts while the hardtop is on the car. Thanks!
Does your '87 have the welded nut at the bottom of the pin latches? Are you attempting to thru bolt the top to the latches with a bolt and nut on each side? From what you are describing, it seems like you might need to find some '89 and up style latches with the welded nut. Then it will be a bolt from the top without having to work around the soft top.
Anthony
- 1986 Original Owner -
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From: North Yorkshire, England
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Rich,
Does your '87 have the welded nut at the bottom of the pin latches? Are you attempting to thru bolt the top to the latches with a bolt and nut on each side? From what you are describing, it seems like you might need to find some '89 and up style latches with the welded nut. Then it will be a bolt from the top without having to work around the soft top.
Anthony
Does your '87 have the welded nut at the bottom of the pin latches? Are you attempting to thru bolt the top to the latches with a bolt and nut on each side? From what you are describing, it seems like you might need to find some '89 and up style latches with the welded nut. Then it will be a bolt from the top without having to work around the soft top.
Anthony
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
While the B-pillar brackets is what makes the hardtop solid and stiffens the car, the encapsulated bolts in the hardtop locating pins are what snugs the hardtop down to the car so that the weatherstripping keeps out air and water.
These rear bolts should never be used by themselves to hold the hardtop to the car. There is enough flexibility to the vert that the bolts could pull the latches out of the decklid.
As far as removing the soft top, it can be done by removing the bolts at the frame pivot points and that would gain some storage space. But with the hardtop in place, the decklid cannot be raised so anything going into the back has to fit thru the opening.
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Burning Brakes
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From: Minneapolis MN
I don't have much to offer on your issue but can say from the way your descibing the way the top fits,its probley an aftermarket hard top.Aftermarket stuff almost always never fits or aligns properly
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Yea, another good point. It may very well be an aftermarket top. I have no idea how they fix. As C4cruiser implied, the only way to go if you have a factory hard top on an '86-'88 convertible is to use the factory retrofit kit. It has all the parts for the windshield header and decklid mounts as well as the proper B pillar brackets to mount your top correctly. It even came with wiring for the rear defroster! Can't expect they'd be too easy to find now though. I got mine in '89.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Elverson, PA
Thanks everyone for the advice! I used 3/4" bolts for the rear. It was a pain as the top was in the way. I think I'll look for 89 style rear latches so I have the welded nut at the bottom. The top is on and it looks great. No rattle. I love the look!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Elverson, PA
Anthony,
You nailed this. I didn't know the 89 rear latches had welded bolts. This should make it much easier to install. The top is on now. Next time I will have the 89 latches. Appreciate the heads-up.
Rich
You nailed this. I didn't know the 89 rear latches had welded bolts. This should make it much easier to install. The top is on now. Next time I will have the 89 latches. Appreciate the heads-up.
Rich
