Thinking of changing the hood on your mk.1 yourself? Do it!
Discussion
I did! I don't have very much patience, a huge amount of technical knowledge, or every tool under the sun, but with a 'how to' DVD, some determination, a plethora of swear words, and a garage for when it rained halfway through, I did it!
I think it looks pretty perfect if I do say so myself. My top tips:
- get a 'how to' DVD, there's a few parts of the process that aren't immediately obvious that are good to know from the outset.
- get some duck tape, the rain rail, despite not being a moving part and made of plastic, somehow manages to crack and tear over the years, and will need patching up to avoid leaks.
- the vinyl hood that I used needs to be warm to stretch over the frame, I removed the whole hood frame and replaced the vinyl onto it in a nice warm conservatory!
- if the holes don't quite match up, or are miles away, don't panic, stretch the vinyl, open the frame a bit, close it a bit, swear a bit, they'll line up eventually.
- be prepared for it to appear miles too short/small when trying to latch for the first time, again, wedge a foot and a hand somewhere, pull, push, stretch, get some help, it'll latch eventually.
It's very satisfying, and parts (hood, DVD, contact adhesive, rivets and rivet gun) all in set me back less than £200.
I think it looks pretty perfect if I do say so myself. My top tips:
- get a 'how to' DVD, there's a few parts of the process that aren't immediately obvious that are good to know from the outset.
- get some duck tape, the rain rail, despite not being a moving part and made of plastic, somehow manages to crack and tear over the years, and will need patching up to avoid leaks.
- the vinyl hood that I used needs to be warm to stretch over the frame, I removed the whole hood frame and replaced the vinyl onto it in a nice warm conservatory!
- if the holes don't quite match up, or are miles away, don't panic, stretch the vinyl, open the frame a bit, close it a bit, swear a bit, they'll line up eventually.
- be prepared for it to appear miles too short/small when trying to latch for the first time, again, wedge a foot and a hand somewhere, pull, push, stretch, get some help, it'll latch eventually.
It's very satisfying, and parts (hood, DVD, contact adhesive, rivets and rivet gun) all in set me back less than £200.
hornetrider said:
Cracking effort and all credit to you but to be fair I'd rather pay the extra 50 quid and get a mohair one fitted from Jack Smiths!!
Not if like me you lived in Glasgow you wouldn't. A round trip 560 miles of mainly motorway driving, over £100 on fuel, a day off work, and the risk that if it leaks or there's any problems its the same again to revisit them, my choice seemed the easier option for me by far 
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 8th November 12:23
hornetrider said:
Cracking effort and all credit to you but to be fair I'd rather pay the extra 50 quid and get a mohair one fitted from Jack Smiths!!
Link please. And
Will a 2002 car hardtop fit my 1996 eunos?
ETA: Google was my friend.
Edited by Uhura fighter on Monday 8th November 18:12
Uhura fighter said:
Will a 2002 car hardtop fit my 1996 eunos?
ETA: Google was my friend.
I don't know what your Google told you but yes, it will fit but the heated rear window connector is different. I believe you can get an adapter to make it fit though.ETA: Google was my friend.
Edited by Uhura fighter on Monday 8th November 18:12
MX-5 Lazza said:
Uhura fighter said:
Will a 2002 car hardtop fit my 1996 eunos?
ETA: Google was my friend.
I don't know what your Google told you but yes, it will fit but the heated rear window connector is different. I believe you can get an adapter to make it fit though.ETA: Google was my friend.
Edited by Uhura fighter on Monday 8th November 18:12
Replaced the hood on my mk1 a few weeks ago - it took me 2 days but wasn't too tricky in the end, just very fiddly. After struggling with one side I found it much easier to fit the other side with the frame removed from the car and laid out on a workmate, as it made getting to the various rivet spots trivial.
My plastic rain rail was all smashed to bits also, no idea how or why.
My plastic rain rail was all smashed to bits also, no idea how or why.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 9th November 14:44
I wouldn't even attempt it with the hood frame attached to the car, having it laid out made it easier to open and close the frame to allow for stretching the hood and reaching certain rivet and screw points.
Agreed re the rain rail, how does a static part manage to get so damaged, mine is thoroughly wrapped in decent duck tape now and seems 100% watertight so far.
Agreed re the rain rail, how does a static part manage to get so damaged, mine is thoroughly wrapped in decent duck tape now and seems 100% watertight so far.
just wondering if anyone can help as i have just purchased a roof and frame for my mx5 and have no idea how to fit it but see people have done this. I have looked online but to no avail and would appreciate any help or advice to get started on this. im hoping that having to just fit the frame has made my life a bit easier but now im not so sure!!!
thanks
thanks
Does this help? Not sure about the specifics of the hood fabric itself, suppose that depends on what sort you've got, but the basic approach should be identical.
If you've got a new hood attached to the frame then it will be a very easy job, aside from clambering around inside the car to remove and refit the rear of the hood and rain rail. You'll probably find that much easier if you remove the seats first, as it saves the embarrassment of falling backwards down behind the seat and getting stuck....
http://www.miata.net/garage/MiataTop2/index.html
If you've got a new hood attached to the frame then it will be a very easy job, aside from clambering around inside the car to remove and refit the rear of the hood and rain rail. You'll probably find that much easier if you remove the seats first, as it saves the embarrassment of falling backwards down behind the seat and getting stuck....
http://www.miata.net/garage/MiataTop2/index.html
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 23 February 10:18
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