NB softop into NA help!

mx5lover · Postby **mx5lover** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 3:34 pm

Hi guys

I am going to swap an NB top into my NA, I removed the old top already.
The NB top I bought came with rain rail but it was seperated from the top.
However, the rivets still sit in the holes on rain rail, is that ok just leave it as it is or I have to pull them out and seal them?
I fixed some cracks on the rain rail using sealent and tape.(My old rain rail is dead when pulled off my car).
I have read some tut online, but their rain rail is already attached to the top.
My question is that can I place the rain rail onto the studs first then place the top, or I have to attached the rain rail
with the top as a whole unit then onto the studs.
The rain rail looks very brittle and seems very easy to break, any hints to install it properly.
Thanks.

slug_dub · Postby **slug_dub** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 4:17 pm

You should be able to put the rain rail on and then the top, pretty sure thats how we did it when doing an NB to NA top swap.

Don't forget too that the tension springs in an NB top are different to the NA springs. You will have to extend out one of the ends of the spring by a couple of winds to allow it to reach the point on the NA frame where it mounts... a bit easier said than done as the springs are hardened steel and don't unwind very easily!

Good luck with it... hooray for glass window!

aka_juffa · Postby **aka_juffa** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 4:32 pm

If it was me, I would remove the rivets and seal the holes. You would hate to install the rainrail and top, and then find that it is leaking due to the rivets.

Yes, you can mount the rain rail without it being attached to the soft top. Just remember that the rain rail needs to sandwich the bottom edge of the soft top, i.e. put the back edge of the rain rail over the studs, then put the bottom edge of the soft top over the studs, and finally put the front edge of the rain rail over the studs. This ensures all water is directed to the two drain holes behind the seat belt towers.

Once you have done the above install the 3 metal set plates, tension the soft top and then tighten the nuts on the studs. There is a recommended sequence for doing up the nuts. I think it can be found on the miata.net garage.

Forgot to ask....are you also installing the NB soft top frame. or just the soft top?

J.

mx5lover · Postby **mx5lover** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 5:29 pm

slug_dub wrote:You should be able to put the rain rail on and then the top, pretty sure thats how we did it when doing an NB to NA top swap.

Don't forget too that the tension springs in an NB top are different to the NA springs. You will have to extend out one of the ends of the spring by a couple of winds to allow it to reach the point on the NA frame where it mounts... a bit easier said than done as the springs are hardened steel and don't unwind very easily! Good luck with it... hooray for glass window!

The NB softtop I got is completed with frame, so do I have to worry about tension springs?

aka_juffa wrote:If it was me, I would remove the rivets and seal the holes. You would hate to install the rainrail and top, and then find that it is leaking due to the rivets.

Yes, you can mount the rain rail without it being attached to the soft top. Just remember that the rain rail needs to sandwich the bottom edge of the soft top, i.e. put the back edge of the rain rail over the studs, then put the bottom edge of the soft top over the studs, and finally put the front edge of the rain rail over the studs. This ensures all water is directed to the two drain holes behind the seat belt towers.

Once you have done the above install the 3 metal set plates, tension the soft top and then tighten the nuts on the studs. There is a recommended sequence for doing up the nuts. I think it can be found on the miata.net garage.

Forgot to ask....are you also installing the NB soft top frame. or just the soft top?

J.

I do consider take the rivet out, however, the rain rail seems very weak and the rivet hold quite tight, I am worry to break the rain rail if I force the rivet out.
I wish I have $$$ to replace the rain rail.

slug_dub · Postby **slug_dub** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 5:37 pm

mx5lover wrote:
The NB softtop I got is completed with frame, so do I have to worry about tension springs?

Ah, if you have an NB frame already, nooo worries!

vrmmmpshhh · Postby **vrmmmpshhh** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 5:44 pm

The nb top has 2 straps that get bolted to the rear. Remember to put them in the correct studs or the top will not go completely down on its own... Ask me how I know this....

mx5lover · Postby **mx5lover** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 7:26 pm

vrmmmpshhh wrote:The nb top has 2 straps that get bolted to the rear. Remember to put them in the correct studs or the top will not go completely down on its own... Ask me how I know this....

Thanks for remind, is too dark to complete the job now.
One question, I just bolted up the 3 bolts at each side which are holding the fram bracket. Is that ok if I low the top down
without other attachment at the moment. because my car is sitting on the driveway, and have to put the H/T for secure.

A.Chen89 · Postby **A.Chen89** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 8:25 pm

Just like Juffa said, pop the rivets out. Should be able to drill them them out no worries.

Chuck some new ones on and some sikaflex or something to seal them in!

mx5lover · Postby **mx5lover** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:14 pm

A.Chen89 wrote:Just like Juffa said, pop the rivets out. Should be able to drill them them out no worries.

Chuck some new ones on and some sikaflex or something to seal them in!

when I looked at the rain rail with a light today, there are too much mini cracks between the ruber and the plastic.
Spent a whole afternoon to seal them. I don't have a driller at home, therefore I end up with using the silicone sealent around the rivets and hope it can do the job. I use hard top for most of time, soft top is only for Weekend. And I think I will be Ok at least in Summer.
BTW, Alex your rain rail still better than mine, mine just dead when I pull off my car.