Mostrom, Paul wrote:
>
> Now that I have acquired a hard top for my '77 1500 I need some help/info. I
> know I still need to get the mounting hardware and that seems to be available
> through Vicki Brit or Spitbits (probably some others). The Hanyes manual
> shows 6 mounting points for a hardtop, but looking at the catalogs, I can
> only see 2. Looking at the top I see the mounting points back by each 1/4
> window, nothing along the windshield or across the back under the back window
> (like it shows in the Haynes manual).
>
> 1> Can some one out there fill me in on how this thing attaches?
> 2> Vicki Brit lists two types of mounting posts, one with and one without a
> soft top installed. Just what does that mean? Can the soft top be left
> on when the hard top is installed?
Paul,
There are 6 mounting points. These parts are illustrated in VB's
HARDTOP COMPONENTS section of their catalog. The catalogue doesn't show
the actual location of the mounting points but looking at the underside
of your hardtop you will be able to spot them. There should be two
brackets near the 1/4 windows, two threaded holes at the front, and two
open holes at the rear.
Four Chrome Hardtop bolts (VB# 14-239) - two at the front and two at the
rear are needed. The front two also need Distance tubes (VB# 12-4065)
so that the
chrome frame above the windshield is not damaged when you tighten the
top down. The rear two mounting points, if I recall correctly, are two
open threaded holes in the soft top retaining bar. There are also plain
and locking washers
needed.
The other two mounting points are the tie bars near the 1/4 windows. If
the soft top remains in the car you need the shorter of the two types
(VB# 18-095), the longer one (VB# 18-097) is used if the soft top is
removed. The reason for this is that with the top removed you have to
use one of the holes that the soft top frame used to attach to the
body. With the soft top in place, the shorter tie bar attaches to the
soft top frame. There are also an assortment of washers and bolts
needed here as well. Hopefully, the hard top you purchased still has
the Hardtop Body Brackets attached (VB#'s 18-099 and 18-098) near the
mounting point by the quarter windows. The tie bar and a bolt go
through this bracket to tighten the top down.
Shop around for these parts, or ask the list for used pieces, added
together they are expensive. I believe that I paid about half of what
the VB catalog wants for these parts.
Regards,
Ron Fowler
'80 Inca Yellow Spitfire with Overdrive
|