hardtop installtion on convertible
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Madison In
hardtop installtion on convertible
When installing the hardtop on a 92 convertible, is it possible to remove the soft top? Trying to get some storage space while the hard top is installed. If so, how hard is this to do?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: hardtop installtion on convertible (Stevebra)
There are two bolts on each side that attach the top mechanism to the body. You could probably remove those bolts and remove the folding top as an assembly, but once the hardtop is on, you cannot raise the decklid. The gap between the decklid and the panel behind the seats is only 8 1/2 inches high and is the limiting factor on what you could put into the storage area. Even with soft luggage it real hard to stuff anything through that opening.
I have thought about finding another decklid and cutting it back to the edge of the hardtop frame, leaving the decklid hold-down strikers on the sides and the top pin latches in the back. Then I could remove the soft top, install the trimmed-back decklid and it should open up the area behind the seats. It might be more money/hassle that it's worth, but you could have the security of the hardtop, the increased body stiffness, and the neat look that the hardtop provides plus usable storage room.
I have thought about finding another decklid and cutting it back to the edge of the hardtop frame, leaving the decklid hold-down strikers on the sides and the top pin latches in the back. Then I could remove the soft top, install the trimmed-back decklid and it should open up the area behind the seats. It might be more money/hassle that it's worth, but you could have the security of the hardtop, the increased body stiffness, and the neat look that the hardtop provides plus usable storage room.
