Top frame plastic covers, is this right?

[Technut27]

I picked up a pair of used top frame covers for fun from thingparts.com and have been refurbishing them this past week. Is this how they are supposed to go on? I still have to make new straps.

A lot of wet sanding with 400 then 1200 grit sand paper has them looking pretty good, I have all but the deepest scratches removed.

[kenj06]

Looks a little crooked. Your top frame is probably bent. Mine is a little bent but the cover should look closer to this.

I took my frame apart and did some tweaking to it so my windows fit better. Still a little out of whack but better than it was. There was someone selling a kit of parts to replace the rivets you drill out when taking the frame apart. Works much smoother afterwards.
I'll see is I can find where I got them from.

[Technut27]

Yea things seemed wacky when I put them on, both sides look exactly the same. I probably won't mess with the frame though. My top fits nice & meets the windows well. The last thing I want is to introduce issues there over accessories I don't really plan on using My list of accessories I don't have for it is getting short so why not right?

My speedo cable broke last week and may have damaged my speedo on its way out. I replaced the cable but the needle bounces around at low speeds now and it gets clicky/squeeky at at the low end, that's my next "never taken one of these apart" adventure.

[Technut27]

I stared at my top frame a lot closer than I have in the past today, it doesn't seem to be bent and if it is its bent somewhere, its bent in the exact same fashion on both sides to match. All the tubular parts seem correct and the steel portions seem OK, the joints are sturdy look un damaged too. IDK maybe I have a late model replacement frame that isn't exactly right, I don't have the positioning straps either.

Is there a part number or any markings stamped on them?

Something to write down in the notebook I keep for later. My top is in pretty good shape and since it all works well the smart answer is probably to not mess with it

[mondshine]

T27-
It might not make any difference in how the top frame lays when it is folded, but your top will last longer if you start folding it as the owners manual illustrates.
Alternatively, you could fold your top as the Thing Shop suggests (search YouTube for their video).

Either method is best done by two people, but folding the top "correctly" will add years to its life.

Good luck, Mondshine

[74 Thing]

[wbailey2112]

Couple of comments...

You need the straps and buckles for the top hinge covers otherwise you're guaranteed to lose them the first time you leave your driveway. I was able to purchase replacement strap material from my local full service hardware store and made my own replacement straps that I pop riveted into place but I was lucky enough to have the original buckles to work with.

As for your speedometer needle "bouncing"...you need to lubricate the inside of the speedometer cable. Just disconnect it from the both ends and shoot some oil inside of both ends. This should lessen and even eliminate the bouncing that you're are seeing at low speeds.
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'74 Thing
'83 Westfalia

[FJBLF]

Is this how they are supposed to go on?

According to the owners manual, the buckles go on the outside.

Here is a video I made using the pics from the manual. Feel free to suscribe to my chanel


Link

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1972 VW 181 SAFARI 1500 cc GRB Trans-axle