Re: Hartop installation

Hi all,

I am wanting to buy a hard top for my B,

can any one tell me how it fits, dose it just bolt on and is this a long or short process.

will i need any special kit or conversion or will it fit directly to my car.

mine is a 1996 model. many thanks for your replys!!

Re: Hartop installation

First you open the soft top and put the safety belts on when folded. Then you install two mounts on the sides behind the seat belts (one on each side, which you never remove again). Then the hardtop steps on these mounts and locks at the front just as the soft top. Finally you clip on the rear safety clamps. Taram! hardtop installed!!!
The hardtop is not that heavy but you need a second person to assist the put on take off process. It should only take 30 secs. Easy stuff
In the pics you can see the rear mounts and the fuses. The connector for the rear screen is next to the drivers seatbelt connected to a dummy. Make sure the hardtop you get comes with them as well as with a fuse for the rear screen!!!!

Re: Hartop installation

hi, thanks,

i have just won a hard top from ebay germany.

should all the fitting bits come with the hood. the clamps you mention and safety belts.

dont think i have these.

Was planning to drive there, put it on and drive back.

would the seller have to give me these clamps. take from his car.?

Re: Hartop installation

That's a question only the seller can really help with so email him.

Re: Hartop installation

Hi

These are part no 0047300168 - striker plate.

I've got 2 brand new ones still in their wrappers.

They cost £20.17 each. Say £43 the pair including postage if you want them.

cheers

Mick

Re: Hartop installation

Hi mick, How you been ? well i hope.


Thanks! I might just need them, have a slight communication problem with the seller , i still have your no. though and will call you.

Re: Hartop installation

Hi,
The clamps are on the hardtop and should be there. The mounts should be provided extra(the things in the photo). Without them the hardtop will be squicky and not so secure in case of a roll over god forbid!!!

Re: Hartop installation

HI,
The clamps are fitted so cant be taken off the hardtop. You dont have to fit the two little mounts as I had a hardtop on my B for a year and did not have a problem without them.

The one thing you must get with a hardtop is the two cover trim panels as Fiat dont sell them anymore. If you dont have them you can see the clamps the hold the top on.

You will also need a special fuse to get the rear window heater working.

Hope this helps.

PS The fun/hard part about having a hardtop is getting the windows to fit so you dont get any wind noise above 30mph. Then when you take the hardtop off for the summer the softtop does not fit the windows anymore as you adjusted them for the hardtop. Happy days heheheeh

Re: Hartop installation

docorangepeel said:

I had a hardtop on my B for a year

Click to expand...

That must have been a pain during the summer

docorangepeel said:

PS The fun/hard part about having a hardtop is getting the windows to fit so you dont get any wind noise above 30mph. Then when you take the hardtop off for the summer the softtop does not fit the windows anymore as you adjusted them for the hardtop. Happy days heheheeh

Click to expand...

Happy days indeed, don't have this problem as the hard top was factory fitted[re the above, it wasn't glued on and comes off for nine months off the year ]but over the years the wind noise started to appear after you open and close the window, tis fine if you open and close the door with the window fully up. Not at speed on the road I hasten to add.

There must be instructions somewhere on how to adjust windows?

Re: Hartop installation

To adjust the windows you have to take the inside door panel off.

Re: Hartop installation

docorangepeel said:

To adjust the windows you have to take the inside door panel off.

Click to expand...

I like that...Simple and to the point

Re: Hartop installation

See attached pdf

Re: Hartop installation

Thanks guys,


for all the info. it always helps

KC

Re: Hartop installation

hi. guys,

Ok. will be on my way to germany on sunday to pick new hard top up.

Will i be ok to just clamp the hood on and drive back or would i need to have these other clamp /clip pieces.

Best regards, KC

Re: Hartop installation

KC3 said:

hi. guys,

Ok. will be on my way to germany on sunday to pick new hard top up.

Will i be ok to just clamp the hood on and drive back or would i need to have these other clamp /clip pieces.

Best regards, KC

Click to expand...

All four clips should be on the hardtop and you should be able to drive back. When you adjust the back clips however make sure it is evenly tight on both sides to avoid vibration!

Re: Hartop installation

The reason you should have those striker plates is to support the hardtop clear of the body shell. The manual advises that you adjust the clearance with packing pieces which are then removed and the seals should do their job.

Clamping the hardtop directly to the bodyshell is not the way to go.

Re: Hartop installation

Hi Mick,

Trying to call you.

I.ll have them from you. if you can get them to me b4 sunday.

best regards, Kiry

Re: Hartop installation

magicmole "The reason you should have those striker plates is to support the hardtop clear of the body shell"

Well I did not have them on my car and I did not have a single problem with my hardtop. If you can get the mounts for a few ££ then Its not going to hurt to get them.

Re: Hartop installation rear heated screen

Hi guys, Re connection of heated rear screen.

the doc has kindly told me how to connect this up.

but i dont seem to be able to find the cable to be able to do this.

The top is on the car, do i need to remove it again so as to find this mystery wire.

Re: Hartop installation

This should help you out. The panel is not fitted correctly as I have been working on my car but you can see the cable sticking out and the holding plug in the middle of the plastic panel.