Hard top fit

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Feb 25, 2018 | 05:50 PM

PatCleary

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From: Boston, MA

Hard top fit

Picked up a hard top this weekend for my ‘94. We got it on, but it’s sitting about 1/2 an inch behind the Frankenstein bolts even when the brackets are pushed all the way forwards. The top fit fine on the seller’s Miata (we tried) and Gesso says a hard top fit on the chassis when he owned it. The car currently doesn’t have side strikers. There’s also a 1/2” step in the seals at the back of the door.

I’m planning on making up hard mount brackets, and I’m happy to do so at the back as well, but currently this things leaking water in around the window seals (using window brackets, not the stock power windows)..

Are there tricks I’m missing?

Feb 25, 2018 | 06:02 PM

gesso

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Feb 25, 2018 | 07:00 PM

PatCleary

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From: Boston, MA

Hey Geoff and Gordon!

Just checked again, no weird panel gaps suggesting the windshield or frame are bent, although I suppose it’s still possible. Is there normally a significant amount of adjustment in the front strikers?

Feb 25, 2018 | 08:02 PM

thumpetto007

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I had to shim my front panels, so the front edge of the hardtop would seal tight enough not to leak water. It fits over the frankenstein bolts just fine, though.

I think you have to push the hardtop forwards after the sockets are on top of the franken bolts, it sort of clicks and moves forwards a 1/2 an inch, which is the amount of gap you have.