mx5cartalk.com

Hi all. Im interested in trying on some of my mates hard tops on my mx but i dont have the frankenstein bolts or side latches. So I was wondering what is the process for getting them fitted? Is it an easy self-install or should it be done professionally?

eg: should i really be drilling holes for these side latches myself and how do i know exactly where to put them?

why not just try one of your mates cars if you want to see what it is like. Seems a lot of trouble to go to.

yes you must have the frankenstein bolts because the hard top has 2 rear latches that wrap around these bolts.

there are side catches (that should be screwed to the interior of your car, near the seatbelt towers) and side latches attached to the inside of the hard top; ditto with another set of catches and latches where your soft top latches to.

people drive around without the side latches and catches but i'm of the view these should be on there when driving. the last thing you want is your hard top flying off and causing a major accident, let alone damaging your hard top.

the side latches aren't hard to install.. there ought to be a template on here somewhere

Here is how I mounted the side latches.

I later found out that if you take the trim piece off there is a template on the back, showing you where to cut.

bumping up an old thread.

will i have any clearance issues if i have a brown davis roll bar and the oem side latches?

thanks in advance.

Catch 22 here Mike.
Most of my customers who bought BD Roll bars back in the day have reported no problems but there are a few guys on here who have said that it rubs. I reckon that if during installation, you make sure that the bar is sitting as flat as possible on the rear shelf and test with the hard top, you should be fine. You may need to trim carpets for this purpose.

Oh and if you have roll bar padding it may come into contact with the hard top.

Les

cheers