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Convertible Top; Top suggestion last GEOPalooza
Topic Started: Jun 7 2017, 09:14 PM (373 Views)
meyer3660
Fresh Fish
[ * ]
I had a great time at last year's Geopalooza but then drove home, lost my notebook, and got distracted by a million different things. I haven't been on the forum since. Shame on me....

It's warm weather time so I am out with my vert with the top that is nearly impossible to close - it takes two people. While at Geopalooza last year I had a conversation with the owner of an awesome turbo-charged convertible. He had a top made of, I believe, German sail cloth. He could close the top with one hand and easily latch it closed. I dream of having a top that closes like that! If you are that guy, please, contact me and let me know where I might purchase a similar top.

For everyone else, have any of you solved the problem of a hard-to-latch top? When I say hard-to-latch, I mean it takes a guy on each side pulling as hard as possible then laying on the roof while the other turns the latch shut. This means when I'm traveling alone, and it begins to rain, I am totally screwed...and soaked...
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

T3Ragtop is the member with that car. Sounds like you just need a new top. Yours has shrunk.
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MR Bill
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Sounds like a project for GeoPalooza called install a new ragtop.
Edited by MR Bill, Jun 7 2017, 09:54 PM.
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Woodie
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meyer3660
Jun 7 2017, 09:14 PM
I haven't been on the forum since. Shame on me....
Exactly! Now go stand in the corner and think about what you've done.
Quote:
 
For everyone else, have any of you solved the problem of a hard-to-latch top? When I say hard-to-latch, I mean it takes a guy on each side pulling as hard as possible then laying on the roof while the other turns the latch shut. This means when I'm traveling alone, and it begins to rain, I am totally screwed...and soaked...
Very common for the top to shrink like this. Don't know if you're aware, but that huge amount of tension breaks the latch blocks on the windshield header. Often happens at 60 mph, you don't want that. People have made metal blocks to prevent this from happening, but the root of the problem is a shrunken top. You might try loosening it at the base of the rear window in order to decrease the tension until you get around to replacing it.

Edited by Woodie, Jun 8 2017, 06:19 AM.
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MR1 Kingsbury
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Exp. builder/rebuilder

Is there no way to restretch a shrunken top??? Like some "shoe stretch" product?? Tension and smoking hot water? stretch and press? Maybe even a heat gun followed by some resealer? IDK. Never had one.
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t3ragtop
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Turbo3 and Twincam Tweaker

the haartz vinyl tops start shrinking the day you put them on and are toast in 2 years.

a cloth top is the way to go but it takes patience and skills to install one properly. ;)

in my opinion the german sail cloth or canvass is the way to go. those look better, are easier to take care of, and they last way longer.
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meyer3660
Fresh Fish
[ * ]
Thanks all...my top issue has been with me as long as I've owned the car. When I purchased it in '96 it had had a new top installed a few months prior. When I replaced the top in 2009 the installer said he could do nothing to make it latch easier (hmmm, could he have lying to me?) In any event, it has gotten worse - definitely shrinking. I'm thinking the canvas or sail cloth option is the way to go. Where would I find the sail cloth top? Is it a custom thing?

Also, I've learned about the windshield latch. I've replaced one and have a spare for one side. Hoping the right side stays strong...
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geogonfa
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Top latches...he also sells them on ebay...usually gives forum members a discount...
http://geometroforum.com/topic/5801127/1/

Top canvas...best one I have found/installed so far...
https://www.convertibletopguys.com/convertible/655/1990-93-Geo-Metro-Suzuki-Cultus-Swift-Pontiac-Firefly
Edited by geogonfa, Jun 8 2017, 01:32 PM.
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t3ragtop
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Turbo3 and Twincam Tweaker

here's a link to my preferred seller and the rag i like.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/geo-metro-Pontiac-Firefly-suziki-90-93-convertible-Soft-Top-Stayfast-cloth-/310566029190?fits=Year%3A1991%7CMake%3AGeo%7CModel%3AMetro&hash=item484f2d8786:g:UO8AAOSwqu9VFd44&vxp=mtr
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

t3ragtop
Jun 8 2017, 01:37 PM
I really like your rag :stoner
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91 ragtop
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If you look inside at the rear bow on your top frame you should see either a cam lock or a snap. If you unhook the strap and let the bow down you can pull the top into place without fighting it. Latch the header and then pull the bow up and hook it.


Ken.........
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