Hard-Top info. needed

[Leroy]

At Last, I've made a deal on a Hard-top for my bird. I finally found one that's only about a 4 hour drive from me. I found it on Craigslist.com. It was in a Storage Locker and the renter hasn't paid the rent and the owner hasn't been able to contact him so they cut the lock and are selling everything that's in there. It's an 2003 Shadow Gray and I got it for $500.00. No stand and no dust cover, no tool, and it's missing the Front Interior Molding. $99.00 at my Ford Dealer. My car is Evening Black so I'm thinking I'll have a NM clone or down the road I'll get it painted Black. But I've never had a Hard-Top on my car and would like some pointers on the best way to do it and the guy that's going to be helping me doesn't know either. I have a DX tool that fits the front screws. Do you line-up the front screws first and lower the back down into place. What position should the back levers be in when you're lowering the top down? Also I would like to know the dimetions of the stand. I'm going to make my own out of wood or pipe, I've got a flux core wire feed welder out in the garage. Appreciate any advice anyone can give me.
Leroy

[AZTB]

Re: Hard-Top info. needed

Hi Leroy...glad you found the top you were looking for, and for a great price at that! I lower my top via the hardtop hoist, (http://home.earthlink.net/~garbiso/menu.htm), position the back pins first & then lowering the top into place. Following the instructions on the CD that came with the car/top, I move the levers in the back 1st to the half-way position. I then tightened the front screws to the half-way position, after when I full tightened the back levers followed by the full tightening of the front screws. You might want to see if you can locate a copy of this CD somewhere as it's worth all the information on it! Good luck.

[MATBird]

Re: Hard-Top info. needed

You got a great deal!!!
First you should have two, able, strong bodied people. You will have 85 pounds that will rapidly become awkward for the wrong persons and you do not want to damage your car.
On the hardtop, pull the levers all the way out and lower the pins into the rear holes on the deck. Do not force it. Then rest the hardtop on the header. Now pull the two levers, halfway, until you fasten the front two screws, then tighten the two levers all the way in. You'll fell it pull down as you move the lever the final time
It's been 4-5 years since I put mine on so if I'm wrong on any point, I'm sure someone will correct me.
Good luck

EDIT:
Sorry Jim I guess we posted at the same time....

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: Hard-Top info. needed

Here are a couple good links that I have found helpful:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ardtop+fitting

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ad.php?t=17053

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Hard-Top info. needed

On the hardtop, pull the levers all the way out and lower the pins into the rear holes on the deck. Do not force it. ....

, position the back pins first & then lowering the top into place. .

Well I do it in reverse, I drop the front pins in first { it's easier to see what your doing} this makes it easier for me to the lower the back pins into place as the top is aligned with the car. But then I always do things a little different than most folks.

[oldgrunt]

Re: Hard-Top info. needed

I use this lift. I put it in two week ago and love it.
http://www.topcaplift.com/

[Leroy]

Re: Hard-Top info. needed

Well I guess I can say " Mission Accomplished " I left last Thursday morning about 7:30 AM for Saginaw. Mapquest estimated about 4Hrs and that's about what it took me making two rest stops for me and Heidi my minature Snauzer, After reading all the threads about installing one of these tops I was concerned that the two mounting blocks weren't on the top becuase I couldn't see them in the picture that was on Craigslist. So late Wednesday afternoon I called the guy and asked if they were on it and he said he would take some close up pictures and Email them to me. About an hour later I got them and an Email telling me while taking the pics he found more damage and that he would take A $100.00 off the $500.00 that we had agreed on if I still wanted it. So now it needs a new piece across the front leading edge on the outside. I checked on-line and I can get one from Ford, so I called him and told him I would take it and be there the next day. When I got there the top was filthy inside and out but the guy helped me and we got the inside cleaned up before we put it on. The only damage on the inside was the front molding missing. And I'm glad it was off becuase there was no way that top was going on my car without loosening those three screws on each mounting block so the front screws lined up with the holes. I think hardest part is getting the back pins to drop in becuase you can't see them. But once we got everything started it pulled down real nice and fits perfect with the windows and no windnoise or rattles. There are also some light scratches on the top but nothing that can't be buffed out ot touched up. And the greatest part is everybody that sees it loves the Grey top on the Black car. I call it my Neman Marcus Clone. The Black with partial Red interior goes good with it too. Heidi and I then went to my place near Allegan, Michigan and stayed there till Sunday. It was a great trip. My next project is to build a stand for the top to set in when it's off. I don't think I want a hoist?
Leroy

[Ediron]

Re: Hard-Top info. needed

Looks great ,I know I would have a hoist if # 1- I had a garage
# 2- I had a top
# 3- I didn't live in Florida

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Hard-Top info. needed

Looks great Leroy, first time I've seen that combo, but looks like a factory original option. Now you won't want to take it off. I know I think mine looks better with the top on, but I love DA BREEEESSSE!

[Leroy]

Re: Hard-Top info. needed

JAB02LHS, Yea! Everyone says leave it that way. But the best advice I got was to adjust the mounting blocks by loosening the three screws on each one. I hope, when it comes time for the Hardtop Relay, that the molding on the inside is off on the top, so it will be easy to fit on the car and not put it on in a bind or have to force it and take a chance on cross threading or stripping the mounting screws on the windshield, as they appear to be made of plastic. The molding just pops off and then back on, no big deal.
Leroy

[islandtime]

Re: Hard-Top info. needed

Leroy - that is a really nice color combo. Now you need to change your profile from "hardtop n/a" to ""hardtop MSG"!

[5bird7]

Re: Hard-Top info. needed

Looks good, Leroy. Wheels really compliment it, too.

[VELOCEBYRD]

Re: Hard-Top info. needed

Looks nice, I like the color combo! Thanks for the pictures!!!

[MintTbird]

Re: Hard-Top info. needed

not the same as a NM special edition... IMHO yours looks better... the NM had a silver top more like the silver that came on the cars in 04-05 im not sure if its the same or not... -dot? anyway yours looks top notch and i love it..

[MintTbird]

Re: Hard-Top info. needed

p.s. do the ford circles on your rims in MSG... would be hot