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Help with top length adjustment

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Old Jun 24, 2020 | 10:12 AM
  #1  
Tootie Pang's Avatar
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From: Los Angeles
Car: 1989 IROC Convertible
Engine: 350 TPI L98
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Help with top length adjustment

So the shop put a new top on. The glass is a huge improvement but makes putting the top up and down harder if the rear seats are up (which they usually are). I am having the same problem I had before with having to push down too hard on the rear bow to the decklid to latch it in (this is after the front is secure). For one thing the rear deck seal doesn't make it all the way down and when driving on a bumpy road, sometimes the rear pin pops out.

So before I take it back to the shop, I thought I might see if there is anything I can figure out. I am thinking about the stops. Is there a stop that allows the top to "open" more? If it could open another 2 inches, the pin would be secured and there would be almost no pressure needed to secure the top.
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Old Jun 25, 2020 | 08:52 AM
  #2  
shaggyowl's Avatar
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From: Ramsey, MN
Car: 1991 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 5.0 V8
Transmission: auto
Re: Help with top length adjustment

The only downfall of having the glass window is that the seats must be down (or at least unlatched) for the top to fold down. The only tradeoff, really.

As for the fit of the pin and the top, I my top is also very tight and requires me to reach across the rear deck and use the palm of my hand and "smack" the frame down for pin to latch. Just last week it wouldn't latch at all. After messing with it for several minutes it did snap in.

So yeah, the fit is tight. I'm not aware of any stop adjustments, however.
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Old Jun 25, 2020 | 05:38 PM
  #3  
yankeecarman's Avatar
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From: Melbourne Australia but from South Carolina
Car: 1991 Trans Am convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto
Re: Help with top length adjustment

Try fitting the front first but dont latch it down completely. Just leave it partially open with the pins in place. Then, latch the back at the tonneau. Then latch the front completely. The top over time should stretch a little more.
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Old Jun 25, 2020 | 10:54 PM
  #4  
84 1LE's Avatar
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From: Oyth
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: Help with top length adjustment

Yes, its easier if you latch the rear first, then the front. I have the same issue with mine.You have to trim just enough material when attaching the top to the front bow, too much and it wont latch down, too little and the top will sag when up. It has gotten a bit easier since i installed the top, but i still have to latch the back first.
I dont however have any issue lowering the top with the seat back up. It does rub the seatback a bit though.
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