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Tips

Factory Hardtop

alwaysride

Senior Member
Offline
I picked up a factory hardtop for my daily driver TR6.
I've stripped it and am currently filling in a couple divots with bondo.
My first few questions are:

1) How the heck does it mount to the windshield frame? It has 2 nuts which are built into it, but how do I get a bolt to come up through the top of the windshield frame?

2) Does anyone know the threading (tpi) for these nuts and bolts?

3) I need new gaskets for each window. I can buy them from the usual suppliers for about $200. Is there any generic window gasket material I can buy and make the gaskets myself?

Thanks.
 
The hardtop is attached to the windshield with two bolts and spacers that pass through the top of the windshield into the hardtop. You can locate the holes by removing the two rubber plugs on the top of the windshield, then directly underneath are two others that will require you to poke a hole through the plastic that covers the inside of the windshield.

Check the TRF site to insure you have all the hardware components needed to mount your top.

Window gaskets are tough. My recommendation is purchase them new, or try taking the top to a glass shop to see what they can do.

Take your time and insure the top fits in a snug fashion. Do not force or think you can pull it to fit or you chance breaking your windshield.
Drive well and dry.
 
The current TRF "Website Specials" catalog, just got it in the post yesterday, lists all three window seals for the factory hardtop (As well as all the other seals for the hardtop as well).

Oldtimer is correct on the mounting for the hardtop to the windscreen. The rubberplugs hide the correct holes on top. Though if your car has never had a hardtop mounted, or you have renewed the finisher/surround on your windscreen, the corresponding holes on the bottom of the windscreen header will be covered. They are there, you just can't see them. Those are the ones Oltimers referring to 'poking through'.

At one time TRF had a downloadable set of instructions for fitting a factory hardtop. VTR might also have one.

Good luck.
 
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