TR2/3/3A Fitting the hood. Soft top.

[DavidApp]

Finally got round to fitting the hood. Was dreading it because there is no room for mistakes. I practiced on the tonneau cover and that went OK.

Got the Lift the Dot fasteners across the back done then did the windscreen Tenex fasteners on. Had the TR outside so the hood would be nice and warm. Carefully raised the hood frame and everything looks good except there is a wrinkle on both sides where the most bow rests. You can see it in the photo. I do not have the 2 LTD fasteners on the "B" post on yet but I do not think that will help the wrinkle.
I seem to remember reading of a dimension for the height of the front bow above the screen frame but can not find that now.
Anyone know what that may be? It seems as though raising that front bow may help the wrinkle.

David

 

[charleyf]

David,
The top bow should be directly under that seam. It looks like your bow is forward of that seam.
Charley

 

[CJD]

The front bow height is set by the length of the 2 straps to the middle bow. Before changing the strap length, though, simply push the middle bow backwards by hand to see if it will help remove the wrinkles. If it does, then you can shorten the straps to the middle bow accordingly. If moving the middle bow back doesn’t help the wrinkle, then raising the front bow will not be worth the effort.

Be aware that the relation of front bow to middle bow is not easily adjusted. They will move together. This brings up the problem of matching the middle bow to the sewn seam in the top. I would set it to match the seam...which pretty much sets the front bow position (height). Guess I’m trying to say that if you middle bow already matches the seam, you won’t be able to do much about the wrinkles, except heat and time to allow the top to stretch.

 

[DavidApp]

Hello Charley

I think you are correct. The middle bow is off a little from the seam. I have not got the webbing secured to the middle or front bow yet so adjustment should be easy. I used a temporary tie so I could check the fit. The rear bow matches the seam well.

David

David,
The top bow should be directly under that seam. It looks like your bow is forward of that seam.
Charley

 

[DavidApp]

Thank you John

I was going to look up your post on the hood so I could see how you finished the webbing on the front bow.

At the moment I have the webbing attached to the rear deck and one screw in the rear bow. The rest is held with temporary webbing (strap) till I get the spacing sorted out.

A few days in the Georgia heat will probable help.
As soon as I got the hood on the heavens opened up. I hope that is not a sign that as soon as I get the TR out with the hood up it will rain.

David

The front bow height is set by the length of the 2 straps to the middle bow. Before changing the strap length, though, simply push the middle bow backwards by hand to see if it will help remove the wrinkles. If it does, then you can shorten the straps to the middle bow accordingly. If moving the middle bow back doesn’t help the wrinkle, then raising the front bow will not be worth the effort.

Be aware that the relation of front bow to middle bow is not easily adjusted. They will move together. This brings up the problem of matching the middle bow to the sewn seam in the top. I would set it to match the seam...which pretty much sets the front bow position (height). Guess I’m trying to say that if you middle bow already matches the seam, you won’t be able to do much about the wrinkles, except heat and time to allow the top to stretch.

 

[Graham H]

Hello David,

To help with raising the hood bows once I got the front two bows to line up with the stitching I didn't attach the webbing to the rear bow, as you know it's very difficult to raise the hood bows so if you leave the rear one unattached it can be pushed back to line up with the stitching after it's all erected and it will stay in place.

Graham

 

[Graham H]

Try this one