Okay, so I'm an idiot thread - Hardtop removal

[livinginthepast]

I admit it - I'm a clueless dweeb.

Now that that's outta the way... The bugeye came equipped with a hardtop. I want to remove said hardtop and drive topless!

But after I got in and looked around last night, I said to myself, "I'll be damned, its not as obvious as I imagined it would be. That aint no convertible top!" (actually, the thought-bubble contained a couple 'what the f-words,' but self editing is good).

It looks like some screws have to be removed. Do I remove the screws holding the front brackets on the HT (those that latch on to the windshield)? Or do I remove the small chrome brackets on the rear deck behind the seats? Both?

In my defense, I've never had a car with a removable hardtop before, so this is a brave new world for me.... ;-) I just want to make sure I don't screw something up (I'm notorious for inflicting some kind of damage on all new purchases - usually within the first couple weeks.)

 

[Trevor Jessie]

This has the clamps that clamp over the front edge of the windscreen frame?

 

[livinginthepast]

"This has the clamps that clamp over the front edge of the windscreen frame?"

That's correct. There is one clamp on each side of the windscreen.

 

[bill_young]

You shouldn't have to remove any screws that I can think of for a Bugeye. Just unclamp the front clamps and slide the top to the rear about an inch to release the rear attachments and it should lift off.

 

[John Kuzman]

Bill -

If your hardtop is similar to the one I have, the clamps for the front are actually on the outside, top of the top. Lift the back of the outside clamp forward on each side and it will release its grip of the windscreen top rail.

For the rear, I have J-threaded rods that extend down through the recepticles for the soft top frame behind the seats. There are wing nuts below the recepticles on both sides. Remove the wing nuts and lift the top off.

 

[livinginthepast]

Great! So it sounds like the clamps are hinged and just need to be released (yes, they are on the top/outside of the HT). Then look for any additional secured points that may exist - possibly threaded rods near or common to the frame recepticles.

I'll take a look when I get home from work tonight and if I run into anything weird, I'll come running back for help

Thanks all!
Bill

 

[Silverghost]

"Ok, so I'm an idiot..." See, you just proved yourself wrong!

A REAL idiot would have taken a crowbar and/or a jackhammer to the roof trying to get it off, made a mess of EVERYTHING - THEN come on the forum and seek help! :laugh:

Give yourself credit for being wiser than you think. I think it was Socrates who said the wisest man is the man who can admit he doesn't know everything.

 

[bugimike]

And...the dumbest question is the one that is not asked!!!

 

[RickB]

I've personally tried to change my ways and come ask here before doing something 'stoopid'.

So far it's working great!

I look at something like a MK1 Midget choke knob and think: 'how do you get the knob off?'

Then before taking a pair of vice grips to it I come and ask and someone points out that there's a spring loaded dealie on one side that you push in to release the knob and now I don't have a mangled knob in several pieces on my hands.

Or there's the time when the distributor wouldn't come out...

Or the time when...

 

[Monark192]

And...the dumbest question is the one that is not asked!!!

This place has saved time, money, and my wife hearing some colorful language......

 

[Silverghost]

The ONLY stupid question is the one that is not asked.......



Well, that and "What was the color of George Washington's white horse?".......or "When was the battle of 1812?"...... :laugh:

 

[livinginthepast]

The ONLY stupid question is the one that is not asked.......

Well, that and "What was the color of George Washington's white horse?".......or "When was the battle of 1812?"...... :laugh:

Or who is buried in Grant's tomb. I learned that one in fifth grade and it kind of stuck. I must not have been terribly bright as a child; I can't seem to fool my kids with it... Ah well. ;-)

Thanks all - kid related stuff kept me out of the garage tonight - but I'll have a go at the hard top tomorrow.

Cheers!

 

[PHerder]

How long was the 100 year war?

(116 years ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundred_Years'_War)

:wink:

 

[Silverghost]

Who is buried in Grant's tomb is actually a trick question - President AND Mrs. Grant are there...

Ask your kids this one:

A rooster sits on the peak of a hen house roof. The ridge of the roof runs south-west and there is a wind blowing from the north-east. Which way will the egg fall?

OR

There's a man in the middle of a cabin in the middle of a woods. He is all alone and is dead. How did he die?

OR

There's a man who is half way through a doorway. He is dead. How did he die?

 

[Silverghost]

1) Roosters don't lay eggs!
2) His plane crashed
3) He was hanged.

I never said these were GOOD!! LOL :laugh:

 

[JPSmit]

If a man speaks in the forest and his wife doesn't hear him, is he still wrong?