Re: Tips on how to get the hardtop cover on (archive)

I install my cover when the top is hanging in the hoist. Place the cover over the front first. Then bring the cover to the rear. The webbing needs to be taunt when bring them over the rear mounting pins. The top needs to hang from one of the rear bars when pulling the cover over first one pin then the other. Replace the bar onto the pin immediately after pulling the grommet over the pin. I always remove the car from under the top in the hoist just in case. I have taken the cover off with the car under the top but it makes me nervous.

The cover assists the security of the top while hanging in the hoist.

Following is a message I wrote regarding that subject.

Egad, the Hardtop is only resting on that front hook of the hoist frame!

The front hook indeed merely has the front edge of the Hardtop resting on it. The balance point for my Y2000 hardtop is very near the rear mounting latches. As a result the front hook only steadies the hardtop with hardly any weight on that front hook. I have discovered that it is relatively easy to install the factory supplied hardtop Cover while the hoist is holding the top. I then bring the front loop of webbing first under then in front of and finally over the top of the front of the hoist frame. I temporarily detach the front hoist latch and bring the webbing behind the clip before reattaching it. As a belt and suspenders, I have a rope attached to the
roof of the garage with hooks that I place through the rear webbing loops of the hardtop cover.

With the loops of the cover thus secured I slightly back off on the tension of the hoist ropes. I am confident that short of California falling into the Ocean, the top will be secured safely above your baby.

Best wishes and Happy Motoring.

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