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carterzest Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008 Posts: 3842 Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 4:01 pm Post subject: Stock Factory Hardtop mounting with Stock Factory Rollbar? |
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Searched, if not enough.....my bad! Just got the Santa Special Hardtop, stock factory 181, at my house for my 1974 Thing.
I have plastic plugs I need to remove as well as swapping the hinges off the soft top until I get the SS TS ones
Noticed when we Oh so gently placed it on top, the stock roll bar seems to be in the way. Hardtop posts seem to be right in the way........Pause. Work on it when we have some time to tinker....<Post on TS>
I honestly have been too busy to go back, but, any wisdom? Remove down bars between seats? Bend or refabricate with Aluminum?
I had a fiberjet with my previous 74 and It had side bars but they worked? Same roll cage, factory 4 point(ok so not really a roll cage I know ). It did the clangity clank over heavy terrain but was solid as a rock.
Thanks in advance. I promise this post will be laden with pictures. Only two years searching to get my hardtop...Keep searchin Y'all!
KMann> any others....? _________________ Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror! |
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yellow73kubel Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2008 Posts: 789 Location: Columbia, SC
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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My hardtop was cut a long time ago to fit in with those bars. The rib that the door post supports bolt to was cut open. I can get a couple pictures of the area tomorrow.
It's not something I would recommend for a perfect original hardtop. Done correctly, the modification could look good, but it won't be perfect. |
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carterzest Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008 Posts: 3842 Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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yellow73kubel wrote: |
My hardtop was cut a long time ago to fit in with those bars. The rib that the door post supports bolt to was cut open. I can get a couple pictures of the area tomorrow.
It's not something I would recommend for a perfect original hardtop. Done correctly, the modification could look good, but it won't be perfect. |
This is why I was thinking aluminum.... please pics, FECK,............. <not at you>thanks! _________________ Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror! |
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yellow73kubel Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2008 Posts: 789 Location: Columbia, SC
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry, the pictures completely skipped my mind today..
By the way, just re-read your post. Mine did not have side bars when I got the Thing. It doesn't seem to have any flex issues. I have thought about the idea of making something that would bolt to the top and clamp to the cage, but the hard top doesn't get used enough right now to worry about it. |
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carterzest Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008 Posts: 3842 Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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yellow73kubel wrote: |
Sorry, the pictures completely skipped my mind today..
By the way, just re-read your post. Mine did not have side bars when I got the Thing. It doesn't seem to have any flex issues. I have thought about the idea of making something that would bolt to the top and clamp to the cage, but the hard top doesn't get used enough right now to worry about it. |
Thanks for looking. I will take pics this week and post up for the next guy! I need to find the sticky foam rubber pad for the back and front. Also, just noticed I have no bolts. Anyone hook a brother up with the size of the bolts?
Ninja edit. I found the bolts in another thread. 8mmx1.25mmx20mm bolt hexhead. I got them in stainless for 1.10 each. I also picked up the weather stripping foam adhesive tape. Any suggestions on width preferred? I got 3/8' thick by 3/4 foam rubber adhesive strip.
Thanks folks. _________________ Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror! |
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yellow73kubel Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2008 Posts: 789 Location: Columbia, SC
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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Ok, got 'em today.. Unfortunately, I do not have the rollbar in the Thing, so I can't show the fit. You can still see where the cut needs to be, and how deep. Please ignore the horrible finish on the top, it needs a good cleaning and repair at some point.
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carterzest Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008 Posts: 3842 Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:12 pm Post subject: |
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yellow73kubel wrote: |
Ok, got 'em today.. Unfortunately, I do not have the rollbar in the Thing, so I can't show the fit. You can still see where the cut needs to be, and how deep. Please ignore the horrible finish on the top, it needs a good cleaning and repair at some point.
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Well, attempted to put the hardtop on after pulling off the side posts yesterday and unfortunately, I am looking at the same thing as above unless I want to remove my factory roll bar which is not going to happen. I am pondering whether or not I want to just sell the hard top now, but after two years of searching.... likely will not.
My previous 74 Thing also had factory rollbar but Fiberjet hard top which fit right over, posts and all. The posts would bang on the roll bar on rough terrain but it was tollerable.
Arrrrggggghhhhh! _________________ Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror! |
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