Striker plates match? SE soft top on an NA

jules · Postby **jules** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:20 pm

Hi Guys,

I just read on the big forum that the NA striker plates may need to be replaced when fitting an NB8B soft top. Can anyone confirm or deny?

Cheers
Jules

aka_juffa · Postby **aka_juffa** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:27 am

I seem to remember some posts around the time the first NBs appeared where pin holes were being found in the same place on either side of the soft top. I believe a number of tops were replaced under warranty. I think there was also a change to the striker plates at the same time?

I think Garry on this forum had the softtop issues.

J.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:37 am

I would have thought there is no difference.

An NB hardtop will happily fit an NA without any modifications, and vice-versa.

aka_juffa · Postby **aka_juffa** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:39 am

Actually now I think about it....and after hks_kansei post I think the issue has something to do with the set plates.....i.e the three curved plates that hold the soft top and rain rail in place.
J.

jules · Postby **jules** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:13 am

I've seen a couple of members put NB soft tops on NA6's in the flesh, but never recall seeing any issues. However I read this http://www.miata.net/garage/hardtop/ and they seem to have issues in the states (at least with hard tops which should be similar).

Jules

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:22 am

A lot of the info on Miata net garage is fairly old.
A few of their NA to NB fitment guides have things that supposedly don't fit, yet in real life fit perfectly fine.

I have an NB8A and have had an un-demisted hardtop happily fit.
and I've also got my own demisted hardtop (which I don't know if it's an NA8 or NB one)

jules · Postby **jules** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:55 am

Sounds like a non issue then.
Oh well, I'll know when the top arrives.

Cheers
Jules

aka_juffa · Postby **aka_juffa** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:03 am

Jules, Are you referring to the 'redesigned latches' link? If so is this related to worn striker plates? I seem to remember previous posts here regarding the soft top not locking properly? Another Garry related topic I think.

J.

jules · Postby **jules** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:09 pm

Yep, that's what I am referring to. Specifically.

"Q) How are the various Mazda tops different?

Mazda changed the hard top design 4 times (so far):

1989-1991 - Original
1992-1997 - Defroster and Headliner - This top has a defroster built into the rear window, along with a wiring pigtail to connect it to the car's electrical system. This top also adds some more insulation to the inside of the top, reducing noise and heat loss.
1999-early 2003 - Pigtail - This top has a different plug style for the defroster pigtail. The L-shaped brackets to hold down the soft top are also longer in the NB top than in the NA top.
Late 2003-2004 - Latches - This top has redesigned latches to match those on the 2003+ cars. See this TSB for VINs. If you want to use this top on an earlier car, you must replace the strikers or they will be damaged and the top may not stay latched! It also has the new defroster pigtail plug and longer L-brackets like the '99."

Jules

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:28 pm

Might be worth noting then that my car is a 1999 model.
So by that list maybe the latches chagned in 2003?

Do you know if the roof is from an NB8A or NB8B?