Quick top

[bciesq]

I live in Florida, which means that I am subjected to rain storms that arrive suddenly and leave suddenly. Whenever I take the Thing out for errands, I am faced with a dilemma w/r/t putting the top up or not when I arrive at my destination. As we all know, putting the top up (and down) is a PITA if done properly; and if I leave it down, I am always looking out the window to see if it's raining.

So I've been thinking back to the "boot top" on an old roommate's 71 MGB. I googled for some pictures and posted them here:

http://homepage.mac.com/beniseman/PhotoAlbum4.html

Is anyone aware of anything similar for the Thing? I guess I could get a convertible top shop to make something that attaches to the rear clips with a bar that attaches to top of the windshield "pup tent style" -- or I could mount clips to the dash and replicate the MGB boot top. The cool thing about the MGB boot top is that it had separate zip out sections for the driver and passenger. In the winter, you could zip out the driver side only, run the heat and stay warm even at highway speeds.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Ben

[ThingDriver]

You should have a lot of options available to you, living in Fl. There is such a huge vendor market for yacht services there, you shouldn't experience too much trouble finding a shop to build you what you are looking for. Shouldn't bee too difficult for an experienced shop. I'd try one of them as they might be more affordable than a conv shop...

Good luck with it.

[P'ville'74Thing]

I just made something like that, to keep it cooler inside and to keep the leaves and such out while parked. I used sun shade material (the net like stuff that is suppost to keep the under side cooler than the outside). It has a 'pocket' on both ends, one that goes over the folded top (like a top boot) and one that goes over the windshield (in the down position). To hold the sides in place I used baby locks you put on cabinets to keep kids out. I sowed them on the material where the side curtains go, put a little piece of tubing on the ends and push them in the curtain holder holes in the doors. I put the windshield down, slip the cover over the top of the windshield and strech it over the folded down top. Them push the side holders in and presto. It does keep it cooler inside and keeps the windshield cleaner too. But it would not keep it dry like you need (I was not concerned about that) but you could use the design.

[MedicTed]

I have a car cover from the Thing Shop. It is waterproof. I takes a couple of minutes to put on and take off. I just try to keep it off of the engine compartment vents to allow air movement.
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Ted Wojton
70 VW Bus Westfalia camper
2003 GMC Sierra