TR4/4A Installing a TR4 Softtop

[Alex_McMillin]

Hi Everybody,

I need to install the softtop and frame on my TR4. I've been driving it all over the place the last three years with no top. I figure it's about time I install the top, just for a rainy day. Now, that being said, I have a new top with no hardware on it and an old top, cracked windows and holes in it, with all the hardware. How difficult is it to attack this job myself? Where might I find some good pictures and instructions to guide me. I am in Southern Ontario and would also be curious if there is someone in the area that may be able, and willing, to do the job.

I appreciate any help you folks can give.

...........Cheers, Alex

 

[TR4]

I'm sure if you ask around you will find an auto upholtstery shop in your area to do the job. I did my own 6 years ago and layed the old top on the new top to give me the location for the snaps but my guess is the old top may not have been done by a professional. My new top fits OK but is not a perfect fit. Tops probably vary slightly in size too so my method would not be recommended if you're looking for excellence. There is a tool for the installation of the snaps that I used. I looked for instructions when I did mine and found none. Hopefully someone on this forum can help with that.

 

[Geo Hahn]

A couple of things that may help...

The main 'hardware' is, of course, the Lift-the-Dot fasteners. Down here in Baja Canada we can usually find them at Ace hardware in that area with the nuts & bolts in little drawers. You may also be able to reuse the ones from the prior top though I find new stuff easier to work with. You can also order from the 'Big 3' though you may find the ones supplied by Moss are do not say 'Lift the Dot' on them. They work but for my money those words should be on there.

There is a special punch tool for installing LTDs, though I have always used an Xacto knife and hole punch to good effect.

Note that on TR4 tops those fasteners along the back edge are mounted horizontally so they release as you pull the top away from the sides (not the lower edge). Easier to remove that way and correct too.

I think that snap on the elastic strap is somewhat counter-intuitive as I believe the strap wraps halfway around the top frame so the snap appears to be on backwards until you consider this.

I did not mount the little metal loops that connect to those little metal hooks at the top of the A-pillar. I use the top so seldom and find that I do not really need that connection. I mention this as you may find those loops and their special rivets a bit hard to find (also, your little hooks may be missing).

If your old top still has the 3 stiffener pieces (2 short, 1 long) by all means re-use them. Some of the replacements are not as stiff as the originals, making the top harder to assemble. If one or both of the short ones are missing, a good replacement can be made from a hacksaw blade (but be sure to grind down the teeth and match the curve).

The assembly is the basic 'start at the centerline and work out evenly on both sides' that applies to almost any top or tonneau... but if you have never done one you may want to enlist some experienced help or just let a shop tackle it.

 

[TR4nut]

Can't add much to Geo's excellent comments, other than to say the TR4 top is in my opinion a little harder to fit than say a TR6 top. You need to get the front lip to seal tight to avoid problems, which means there is no play in the front. On a TR6 you wrap the front and have more flexibility with the fitting. If you don't have a good template to work from I recommend either taking it to a shop, or working very slowly on it to make sure you get it right.

Randy