Adapting a late C4 targa
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 849
Likes: 1
From: Shelbyville IN
Adapting a late C4 targa
Help, help. How can I make the mounting hardware for a later C4 acrylic top work on an early car? I've got a later top I'd like to install on an '84.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
You will also need the correct year header trim or re drill your trim panel for the offset holes.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1996-C4-ROOF...item27b38deeaa
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1996-C4-ROOF...item2a08c1b1e6
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170484903594...84.m1438.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170484902046...84.m1438.l2649
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
To install the correct year header brackets, remove mirror, header bracket trim and sun visors.
Remove the windshield header panel and remove the header brackets with the correct torx bit, they are very tight so push hard as you undo them so the torx bit does not slip and strip the torx bolt.
Loosely fit the brackets and install roof (forget sun visors etc for now)
fit the rear roof bolts and tighten to just snug, then the front targa bracket to the roof just snug then get a friend to push the front of the targa down 1/8 of an inch to depress the weather strip so you can tighten the torx bolts to the wind shield header frame.
when that has been done remove the tara roof and refit, check all the bolts fit square and easy to tighten roof. Then use a hose and lightly spray water to check the roof and weather strips seal correctly.
You may need to adjust the brackets for more weatherstrip compression its a job that takes time to do well.
Only now you can remove the targa and fit the header trim, mirror, latch trim panels and sun visor and targa top again.:thumbs
Now the test drive
Remove the windshield header panel and remove the header brackets with the correct torx bit, they are very tight so push hard as you undo them so the torx bit does not slip and strip the torx bolt.
Loosely fit the brackets and install roof (forget sun visors etc for now)
fit the rear roof bolts and tighten to just snug, then the front targa bracket to the roof just snug then get a friend to push the front of the targa down 1/8 of an inch to depress the weather strip so you can tighten the torx bolts to the wind shield header frame.
when that has been done remove the tara roof and refit, check all the bolts fit square and easy to tighten roof. Then use a hose and lightly spray water to check the roof and weather strips seal correctly.
You may need to adjust the brackets for more weatherstrip compression its a job that takes time to do well.
Only now you can remove the targa and fit the header trim, mirror, latch trim panels and sun visor and targa top again.
:thumbsNow the test drive
Last edited by gerardvg; Dec 9, 2012 at 06:01 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 849
Likes: 1
From: Shelbyville IN
To install the correct year header brackets, remove mirror, header bracket trim and sun visors.
Remove the windshield header panel and remove the header brackets with the correct torx bit, they are very tight so push hard as you undo them so the torx bit does not slip and strip the torx bolt.
Loosely fit the brackets and install roof (forget sun visors etc for now)
fit the rear roof bolts and tighten to just snug, then the front targa bracket to the roof just snug then get a friend to push the front of the targa down 1/8 of an inch to depress the weather strip so you can tighten the torx bolts to the wind shield header frame.
when that has been done remove the tara roof and refit, check all the bolts fit square and easy to tighten roof. Then use a hose and lightly spray water to check the roof and weather strips seal correctly.
You may need to adjust the brackets for more weatherstrip compression its a job that takes time to do well.
Only now you can remove the targa and fit the header trim, mirror, latch trim panels and sun visor and targa top again.:thumbs
Now the test drive
Remove the windshield header panel and remove the header brackets with the correct torx bit, they are very tight so push hard as you undo them so the torx bit does not slip and strip the torx bolt.
Loosely fit the brackets and install roof (forget sun visors etc for now)
fit the rear roof bolts and tighten to just snug, then the front targa bracket to the roof just snug then get a friend to push the front of the targa down 1/8 of an inch to depress the weather strip so you can tighten the torx bolts to the wind shield header frame.
when that has been done remove the tara roof and refit, check all the bolts fit square and easy to tighten roof. Then use a hose and lightly spray water to check the roof and weather strips seal correctly.
You may need to adjust the brackets for more weatherstrip compression its a job that takes time to do well.
Only now you can remove the targa and fit the header trim, mirror, latch trim panels and sun visor and targa top again.
:thumbsNow the test drive
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 146
Likes: 1
Progress?
How did you make out?
Did you modify the top? change location of the bracket?
Or
Did you modify the car? change the bracket?
I have an 84 with a cracked top that fits the car
and an 89 with a good top that does not fit the car.
Just trying to find the best approach.
Did you modify the top? change location of the bracket?
Or
Did you modify the car? change the bracket?
I have an 84 with a cracked top that fits the car
and an 89 with a good top that does not fit the car.
Just trying to find the best approach.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
The car needs to be changed. You should be able to look at the tops and see that it's NOT possible to alter the top for the earlier mounts. Simple as that - just look at what you mention you have! The install is quite straight forward using the information in this post. You buy the correct header hardware and there's no issues.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL