Just bought a new soft top

[bonnietiler]

My Soft top is pretty good but I like the look of this one so bought it via the good offices of a well known Internet auction web site.
I've never fitted a TR7 top is there a knack...or will it all end in tears!

[toneinblack]

Was this the £300 or near offer one ? , please post how you get on with fitting it as I'll have to do mine sooner rather then later.

[bonnietiler]

That was the one.
No problem.
Bonnietiler

[saabfast]

Its not too difficult, there is a description in Roger Williams book 'How to Restore your TR7/8' which I used as a basis along with some googled articles. If it like most it will not come with instructions for some reason. Just look carefully as you take the old one off and take your time.

If its a PVC hood wait for a warm day ( if one comes this year). When you glue the front to the header rail stick it on 20mm short so that it tightens up when you erected and in place. There rear rail slides inside a pocket in the back and is fixed to the rear deck with nuts behind the interior trim. You will need to remove the old hood bag popper things and then feel the holes through the new hood material, gently drill and re-rivet the poppers. The riveted strip in the seal on the front header rail needs to be drilled out, check the seal and rivet strip condition.

I found the most difficult bit to get tidy was at the ends of the header rail where the material gathers and there are several laps to be glued together. You need some longer than normal rivets for the front header rail seal strip and short ones for the rear bar poppers IIRC. Do not make any popper holes until the hood is in place or they are likely to be in the wrong place. Good luck!

[john 215]

Hi,

As my learned friend wrote, I also marked my cover and header rail with chalk and also rear so could keep everything central, you will also need a tool for the poppers. Afternoon's work at the most.

Cheers John

[andyf]

Just did mine a couple of weeks ago, easy enough. An extra thing to add is when you fit the rear bar that bolts through the deck into the interior, make sure that is central in the hood.
When I put the first rivet in, the bar moved about 10mm which I didn`t notice until I put the hood on and started to fit the press studs, so the hood sits very slightly off centre now, it does not notice unless it is pointed out but I know it`s there.
Good luck.

[john 215]

Hi Andy,

Exactly why I marked mine to keep central, easy said after though. Although doubt they were even when they left factory new, nothing else lines up so why would the roof ! Yours is just more authentic than mine !

Cheers John

[Clara]

http://jclay.me/jclay/New_Hood.html