hard top installation tip

[bgl]

Hi

Since the top-down weather is drawing to a close here in Minnesota, I thought I would pass along a suggestion for getting the hardtop on. It is simple, but can help in getting the top on without paint damage. My friend thought of the idea, and made me a set.

It is 2 small 2x4 pieces, perhaps 4 inches long, which are covered with carpet. We set these on the car in the approximate area where the back of the hard top rests. We initially set the hardtop on the 2x4s as we position the top. It allows us to move the top about, without damaging the paint, until we get it into place.

Getting the top on can be a bit of a chore.

Bye,

Bruce

[Babsman]

Re: hard top installation tip

Great suggestion. I might give it a try. For 7 years I have put mine on and taken it off by myself. Can't do it anymore...(without possible damage) maybe a 6 ft. carpet covered 2x4 across the back would help. hmmmmm.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: hard top installation tip

I don't care how strong you are.........the problem isn't weight. This top can be handled by any man of reasonable strength. I can carry mine pretty easily from, the shed where it lives for the summer, to the driveway on my own too. Thing is though, no matter how many ways I've tried to imagine how I'd do it......I can't seem to come up with a way to get it on the car that leaves me confident that it's actual physical dimensions of length and width don't become a problem.

Carrying it without fear of dropping it on the driveway when walking with it is one thing.......trying to wrangle it into place above the painted surfaces of the trunk and rear fenders is quite another.

This is a job we all look at and think, "Gee, there must be a way!"........but in the end it's just so easy and so much safer with two people.


Still, my wife hates helping with it so I'm open to suggestions. I'd love to hear of a way that seems safe enough for the car's painted surfaces.

[Babsman]

Re: hard top installation tip

The top is stored in my shed and the floor is elevated about a foot or so. To installal the top I back her up to the shed door, lay a soft blanket over the trunk and then a thick moving blanket. Tilt the top over onto the trunk and then slide it into position. go to one side and set it into the locking holes and then the other side. Removal is just the reverse. Make sure your wheels on the top stand are locked or it will roll backwards. BUT you are so right, it is much easier with two people.

[Ediron]

Re: hard top installation tip

Move to Florida you don't need a H/T were just going into top down weather

[Babsman]

Re: hard top installation tip

It's top down weather most of the year here in Charleston as well but we like the look so much better with the top on. So Dec, Jan and Feb are top on months.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: hard top installation tip

2 Needs will accomplish this task. either work great.

1. Hoist
2. Neighborhood Teenage Boys.

[Treken]

Re: hard top installation tip

I just put my hardtop on this morning. A buddy came over to get something, so it was a good time to ask to help with the top. Easy and best with 2 people...

The best part of that job is the smile afterwords, with the hardtop on, you can't help but smile at the looks of your bird after the hardtop has been off for awhile...

[steelblue5505]

Re: hard top installation tip

Instead of 2 x4 s wrapped in carpet which really isn't soft enough, it could still scratch.

My wife & I use bath towels rolled up and held rolled with a rubber band. We put 2 on the sail panel for the rear and two up on the windshield, this allows plenty of slip/slide movement with out pinching our fingers.

[Gobird]

Re: hard top installation tip

Mike, Haven't looked at it for years now but when the 02's came out Ford gave you a DVD on how to install the hard top and the convertible top. Don't know if they gave these away with the 03's and above. This is the method they advised to use. I have an elect. hoist so I don't have to worry about this.

[islandtime]

Re: hard top installation tip

Mike, Haven't looked at it for years now but when the 02's came out Ford gave you a DVD on how to install the hard top and the convertible top. Don't know if they gave these away with the 03's and above. This is the method they advised to use. I have an elect. hoist so I don't have to worry about this.

Both of my '05's came with the DVD.
We enlist the help of a neighbor, and I "back-seat drive" while he & Charley ignore me.

[bronzebird]

Re: hard top installation tip

Both of my '05's came with the DVD.
We enlist the help of a neighbor, and I "back-seat drive" while he & Charley ignore me.

Yeah..... well I would like to see someone ignore Elle!!

Not possible.

Bronzebird

[Treken]

Re: hard top installation tip

Come on Rick, you are going to have to add some mods to your new avatar ride...