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TR4/4A Soft top - TR4 vs TR4a

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Alex_McMillin

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I have a 63 TR4 that I am rebuilding and I believe it has a TR4a windscreen. I was just wondering if it is possible to put a TR4a convertible top on a TR4? Also, are there any differences in the convertible frames between the two?

Any info would be appreciated.

...........Cheers, Alex
 
Hi Alex! Nice to see another local on the board.
I have a TR4a, which does have a different top mechanism and does not have the shiny aluminium fittibg round the back of the cockpit. I think it should be an easy upgrade; when the factory improved these cars they tried to do so without spending too much money, so made as few changes as were needed to effect the improvement.
I have an extra frame in good condition which is for sale if you are interested, or if you just want to come and take a look to compare. (Newmarket area).
Also, the parts drawings in Moss or other parts catalogues may show sufficient detail that you can tell the differences.
Simon.
 
Why not just retro the 4a screen with a nice new tr4 upper trim??? Then you can use the correct top with less trouble.....
md(mad dog)
 
Thanks for the replies.

I actually have a TR4 screen, just not on the car. It's not in as good a shape as the TR4a(installed), so the idea of swapping the upper trim could be doable.

............Cheers, Alex
 
My first TR (back in '65) was a '63 TR4. I liked the way the whole top came off, and the hood sticks folded under the back compartment trim. It gave a really nice clean look to the car when the top was off. I also have owned a TR4A, and after folding the top, unless you put the boot on, it looked lousey. As much time doing that as just removing the top altogether. If it were my car, I'd stick with the early top.
 
[ QUOTE ]
My first TR (back in '65) was a '63 TR4. I liked the way the whole top came off, and the hood sticks folded under the back compartment trim. It gave a really nice clean look to the car when the top was off. I also have owned a TR4A, and after folding the top, unless you put the boot on, it looked lousey. As much time doing that as just removing the top altogether. If it were my car, I'd stick with the early top.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree... I owned a TR6 w/ a top design similar (if not identicle to the TR4A) and currently own a TR4. I much prefer the operation and look of the TR4 top. It doesn't go up quite as quickly, but then since buying my TR4 a little over three years ago, I've only actually put the top up on it three times. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I also seldom put the TR4 top up but have to take it along on road trips out of town. To keep it from being damaged by all the stuff I pile in the boot (and to avoid always having it on top where I have to move it out of the way) I built a little box that sits in the bottom of the boot and contains the top. The 2nd pic shows the top in there in a canvas bag I found at a camping store.
bootbox1.JPG


bootbox2.JPG

bootbox3.JPG

bootbox4.JPG
 
Very nice Geo. BTW, how did your safari top experiment turn out?
 
I cut the rear window out of the old original top... drove it to New Mexico like that. It was just great, lots of fresh air without roasting me in the sun. Fortunately I also took the new top as we ended up with hail and rain after we got there.

However, that old top had shrunk a bit and put quite a strain on the original top webbing... had one webbing strap break. Fixed that one (with a grafted bit of webbing) when I got home only to have the other one break when I tried it out. Fortunately TRF still carries the tan webbing which looks very close to original. Now have that in hand and once installed will be ready to try the old top again.
 
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