TR6 Looking for tips on folding soft top TR6

[2wrench]

Got a soft top installed. Any tips/advice on folding
the thing down?

I have a zippered window in the top.

Thanks,

2wrench

 

[pa297pass]

Re: Tips on folding soft top TR6

I'll try 2wrench.

1. Unsnap the 3 or 4 snaps on each side behind the doors.

2. Unattach the top from the frame above the side windows (mine has velcro).

3. Some tops have snaps inside to the center top bow (mine doesn't) - unattach this.

4. Unlatch the top from the windshield frame (probably should be #1)

5. Once the cloth part of the top is loose from the frame, start folding the frame down with one hand while holdng the cloth out of the way. You want to end up with the top frame stowed and the cloth all laid out over the trunk.

6. Fold the "sides" of the laid out top toward the center of the car along the split between the side and rear window (try not to fold across the "glass)

7. Fold the rear most part of this laid out / folded top forward and tuck it down behind the seats.

8. Install the "cover" over the folded up top and snap it to both the outside of the car and to the rear interior panel to support the folded up top off the shelf behind the rear seat.

Whew ... that was way harder to type up than to do. This is how I fold mine, and my rear window (also zip in) still looks like it did 17 years ago.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Matt

 

[pa297pass]

Re: Tips on folding soft top TR6

Oh, BTW, that is on my TR6.

Matt

Edit: Oh, maybe I should have read the title ... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazy.gif

 

[2wrench]

Re: Tips on folding soft top TR6

Thanks so much, Matt. I appreciate the help.

Dennis

 

[Guest]

Re: Tips on folding soft top TR6

All good advice. The big thing is not to get the top folded in such a way that any part of the frame gets it into a scissor-effect pinch. Guaranteed to cut your brand new top. I made the fatal mistake of lending my car to my middle son a few years ago to take his girlfriend for a spin. He thought it cool to drop the top somewhere in the middle of the ride to catch some wind and impress the girl. Came back with a nice cut in a brand new top. I have since installed a Sunfast top and find the material much tougher than the standard vinyl material, but still prone to cutting with an improper folding job.

Also, I never lock my car if and when I have to leave it alone (which is very, very rare) in a parking slot. Hooligans think nothing of slicing a top to access the car.
Like most LBC drivers, we tend to park in a spot that we can see it at all times. Kinda like a helicopter-mother at the playground.

 

[Basil]

Re: Tips on folding soft top TR6

ttt

 

[Tinster]

Re: Tips on folding soft top TR6

I place a small hand towel on either side
before I fold in the two side flaps. This
protects the top from scuffing itself.

d

 

[Brosky]

Re: Tips on folding soft top TR6

I agree with all except that I unzip my rear window and let it hang free. It allows the frame to drop down into the well further and I add towels between the folds on the side windows to prevent chaffing and scratch marks.

I usually put my top down in May and leave it down until November, unless I get caught in a downpour by accident.

 

[jackag91]

Re: Tips on folding soft top TR6

I haven't bought a new top, so I am completely ignorant on this.

Are the snaps installed when you buy a new top? The reason I ask is my snaps don't seem to line up between the top and the one's on the car's body.

Is it possible that the PO messed up installing the top or is it possible that the top shrunk so how?

 

[swift6]

Re: Tips on folding soft top TR6

Generally, the snaps are not installed, the snaps are not always in the same position on the car. If they are off by even an 1/8 of an inch it can be a nightmare so usually tops become specific to the car. Snap installation is pretty easy though.

Very possible that the PO messed up and installed the snaps before installing the top on the car.

TIP: Don't use the old top as a template. Get the top attached to the frame and locked in the up position before installing the side snaps.

The vinyl tops can shink AND stretch depending on the temperature. Age can also cause the vinyl to shrink. If its tight, usually an hour or so in direct sunlight can loosen it up.

 

[jackag91]

Re: Tips on folding soft top TR6

thanks. When I get the car off blocks I will sit it out side for a while and give it a shot.

 

[John_Mc]

Re: Tips on folding soft top TR6

The irony of this being that when it is warm enough out to soften the top to put it up, that's when you want it down! And vice versa. I have struggled often to snap those last snaps.