Hardtop with only front latches?
 

Gonna pick up a hardtop here soon and it's looking like I'll be buying the thing before my hardware comes in the mail. Would any of you dudes chance it and run it with just the front two latches? I don't think I'd be driving it all that far. Totally don't need the thing flying off the handles though.

There are plenty of folks who chance it every day - front and rear latches only is fine. You don't NEED the side latches, but they do knock out some of the vibrations and stuff you'll get.

I drove mine all winter (including 125 mile drives to & from my GF's place every other weekend) without issue. I suspect the back latches might make it a little quieter, but I think you will be fine.

I'll 3rd the fact that the side latches pretty much only reduce vibration and noise. I drove with mine for about 6 months with just the front latches and Frankenstein bolts without a problem.

I probably should clarify I don't have the frankenstein bolts either.

Yeah, you have a problem then. lol

LOL, give it a shot, but I don't think you will be too happy. The front latches hold well as long as nothing else is moving around. I would imagine the rear lifting from wind would be enough to maybe cause the front latches to slip out of the little "cups".

Damn. I guess I could rig up some studs in place of the frankenstein bolts as a temporary thing. It really just needs to get to my house. It can come off after that.

Or I could duct tape that bitch down. Chicken wire and duct tape, baby.

I think you should drive with your arm out the window and hand on the hardtop like you are holding it down. Hey it works for all those guys who strap mattresses to the tops of thier car with a piece of twine and hold it going down the damn interstate.

depending on how far u have to go u could just limp it home like that...but i'd be weary bout also damaging car/top or both...

anyone near u to maybe ask to take the drive? or friend with a pickup?

Everyone I know that has a larger car drives an SUV. Liberties ETC. Probably too small for it to fit.


Like their arm is going to do shit if the wind starts to take it. See that shit all the time. Once today actually. Little beat CRX with two mattresses. People gave that dude a lot of space.

I can verify that a HT WILL fit in the back of a Jeep Liberty. A buddy picked mine up for me from the seller in NJ and met me halfway with the top in the back of his mom's Liberty.

without the bolts don't do it. But on Miata #2 when I installed the HDSD bar in it the side latches became un-usable. I drove around for 5 years with the front latches and rear bolts only. And the new owner has driven around for at least 4 years that way too.

I think you should be fine for just getting it home. Just keep the windows closed so you don't get any lift from the wind.
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Local guy lost his doing this...be very careful.

But doesn't air moving over a surface already cause lift/low pressure? I still wouldn't do it.

I respectfully disagree. Even hitting a pothole could be enough to lift the top up high enough to pop off the latch(es).

I would look at it as how fast you might have to travel to get it home.

I would duct tape the side and back down, and travel that way, if you arent going over 40-50 mph.... beyond that. I would truck it and not risk it

But some tape down the sides, onto the quarter...Ide go that way

Goodluck

-you could always rent a truck/van from uhaul/home depot for like $20-$30

-if you have a rollbar (dont see in ur sig), you might be able to strap it down securely enough.

I wouldnt do 40-50 with the rear taped on. When I bought mine, the inside of the rear latches were totally loose and basically not doing much at all, but it was something at least. 60 mph was resulting in a decent amount of flapping in the wind. This could damage the hardtop itself if severe enough, and damage your paint depending on where its hitting, and of course fly right off the car.

Seriously there's lots of options...you can delay pickup till your hardware gets in, do one of the suggests listed, come to an agreement to have seller deliver, find another local miata guy, etc etc...

dude who the fuck are you with 18 fucking 1 word posts??
GTFU and stay out you cock jockey

seriously 18 fucking posts and counting, my faves:

cool
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weird
prolly
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Y8's, weren't you waiting to break in that stick???

Otherwise hustler, just go over there and skull fuck him