I'm stumped. What are these strags for? They are somewhat elastic, are attached to the top itself on one side and are screwed into the frame on the other. They always stick out from under the top when it is down and flap in the breeze when I am going down the road.

WHAT ARE THEY FOR??

I think there are added tie downs for t-top transporting and baby seat tie downs as it documents in the owners manual, but I'm also thinking the convertibles aren't covered in my owners manuals... one possiblity
Bill

Anyone else?

Sorry Bill... I need a better answer before I decide to cut these out of not.

Would they be to hold to top in at speed?

I was too busy to check, but is it not shown in any of the sticky docs [ASC, etc.] on this section? I'm of the mind the official convertible third gens still had the lit seperate from the owner's manual. Do you have one?
Bill

No... and I even have the history report. I would pay for that literature. Pay a good bit!

They're meant to help retain the corners at the rear of the side windows. I'm not sure if there's a way to adjust it to tighten or not...

Think I should cut them out?

I liked the pics on yer web site... it's been a long time since I was in Key Largo.

I'd see it there was a way to tighten them when the top it up and/or shorten them rather than try to get rid of them. Then you may have those dog ears at the base of the window flapping in the wind. :shrug: I don't know for sure though.

They are called "Elastic Stays" and are required to give support to the Tonneau (convertible top) cover when it is in the raised position. The elastic will sometimes start to get weak over time and start to lose it's elasticity and sag. To correct this will require replacing them.

Yeah, I think replacement, not removal would be in order. Regarding Key Largo.... Love the place! Been here for six months now; it's a quirky, but fun place to live.

Should be detailed in the blown-out view schematics. I had recalled someone mentioning a liner on these cloth tops I think, mine has side type reinforcement material on both sides, so that sounds like something that may be on mine, but no liner, specifically. Right now, no real way to open mine up without attending to the bent trunk/hinges.
My towel and chamios (sp?) that I put in my cracked window froze up during the recent icestorm here, it's not much concern as snow (what made it in vs the same amount as rain)...that would be disturbing. I assume all the material that is on the inside is included when ordering a new top to attach to the bow structure?
I've got that high on my list of new items to buy
Bill

Thanks Mr. K! Since these appear to be sewn into the top itself, I'm going to opt for cutting them out. I figure I'm under a year or two away from replacing the entire top anyway.

Thanks gang!

I took out my protective plastic layer last night that was attached to the top rear bow, it provided a catch surface for water or snow outside of towels and chamois used as well. My top is in super poor shape, but in reality, only around the rear window and sail panels. It's too bad, but it was starting to come apart when I bought mine with 42K on it!