Hardtop Project

Post by **spl310** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:27 pm

Alvin,

When installing the side windows, you should not need any adhesive. On the headliner, I would suggest a gray rather than a black. Most of the aftermarket hardtops came with a white gloss finish inside. The factory hardtops that I have seen had a gray terry cloth headliner (ghetto!!). I have driven cars with white inside hardtops, black inside soft tops, and the blue/green inside soft top that the OEM 1500 tops used. I will tell you that the lighter colors are MUCH more pleasant to drive. You don't feel like you are locked in a dungeon...

ole skool · Post by **ole skool** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:57 am

That back window has a slight bow in it, slight, but it is there. I would hate to have to replace that thing. Use adhesive on the side triangle windows, you will need it in the upper corner and lower rear corner that are less than 90 degree angles, the adhesive will take up any slight weatherstrip distortion as it attempts to splay out fro mthe glass making these angles. How do I know this? I have the same hardtop and restored it.

3M # 77 spray tack is what I used on the dyna mat and headliner if my autism on numbers serves me right.

Good luck Alvin and PM me if you need anything else.

Wade

FergO2k · Post by **FergO2k** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:06 pm

Wade is right, Spray 77 is the best, well worth the extra few bucks.
Lite gray might be better, it seems like black magic, but black surfaces attract heat, so the inside will get hotter than if you pick a slightly lighter color.

Alvin · Post by **Alvin** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:01 am

Many thanks to everyone for the advice!
I'll run to the store and pick up the 3M spray an dadhesive.
Here is a teaser pic:

Man I hope I don't ruin this pretty thing!

here's a shot of William's roadster...somewhere in there!

shifty · Post by **shifty** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:50 am

That looks really nice! Can't wait to see it on the car.

Post by **dbrick** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:02 pm

Looks great. Any plans on how to protect the car's paint from the hardtop? I was thinking about the clear gravel guard you can stick on where the top touches.

Alvin · Post by **Alvin** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 1:24 am

"measure twice, cut once"

Ha!
Never thought weatherstripping would be this frustrating!

Looking into 3M Clear Armor, left over from 350z application.

Post by **dbrick** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:08 pm

Oh it's LOTS of fun, especially with the Gorilla Snot sticking to everything.

Alvin · Post by **Alvin** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:43 pm

Update
I put weatherstripping on the rear window and one side window, will post pics.

I'm not completely happy with the top, it had to be re-inforced but in direct sunlight/heat the metal plate used would raise/sink becoming visible I thought I could live with it but I can't!
William will take out the entire top and re-lay some 'glass to make it stronger.

Alvin · Post by **Alvin** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 12:41 pm

I recently saw these pics of Wade's restored hardtop and I thought I'd post them for inspiration.
I will try getting back to this project!

67Racer · Post by **67Racer** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:14 pm

Alvin and all
If you recall I have been working on the new smooth Japanese hardtops for way too long but that being said and the fact that I was about to send out an update on what we have been up to here at the shop I guess our 1 time a year update was about due. Our tops are almost done and we are taking a car up to the do the final fitting and after talking to Mike Unger who owns the high window top we are molding we decided that it would be best to make the top be able to use the same latches as your wxisting convert top and so a minor redesign of the inside front edge is in order. We are also doing the low window top next which we are going to make fit both the 1500 and 1600 style cars. I do not have much time right now but will be glad to do the follow up as I know we had a bunch of guys that really wanted the smooth japanese tops. Almost ready.
Thanks
Les

windy311 · Post by **windy311** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:24 pm

When i seen the Ebay ad for that car i thought the top looked real nice.
I realy like Eddie Wu's hard top the shap lines above the door glass look real fitting on his silver car.

Alvin · Post by **Alvin** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:55 pm

Les,
At least tell us the pricing for the high or low tops!
I am already $400 into my top and I haven't installed a headliner yet.
If you can tell me that your low windsheild top, in gloss black is less than $800 then I can kick myself

Thanks for making the tops!

Post by **Chris66** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:10 am

I just had a look at this ad, maybe someone could snatch this top, http://portland.craigslist.org/yam/cto/1279285840.html

Chris

Alvin · Post by **Alvin** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 12:58 am

Back to work on the top
I dropped off the top for paint and kind of .... forgot about it

Looking to rig the rear latches like this:

or this(Eddie Wu's)

I put new weatherstripping on the 3 glass windows, but now I need to sort out the headliner, insulation, and chrome trim/header strip

Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Hardtop Project

3m 77, yep

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