Multi piece targa roof discussion
Discussion
Hi chaps,
I've got a spare targa and removed the fabric and window seals etc so I am ready to create a split secion roof.
I've obviously got my own idea which is at the bottom of here, but I'd like to hear your ideas before i start in case anyone else has a great idea I can use/incorporate (steal)
there has been some secrecy about split roofs, and I admit I've been secretive about what I had planned.
But sod it, if I get something out of it and someone else nicks the idea what do I care, I'm unlikely to ever put my roof idea into production anyway and if someone else can, and make a few quid out of it, then good luck to them.
So here is my idea to get things rolling. Your comments, suggestions and ideas, both for my roof idea and any ideas of your own for a split roof will be most welcome.
Ian
++++
I plan to cut the roof into 3 sections with the cuts running front-to-back roughly mid point of each sun visor.
the important measurement is the width of the centre section which should be less than the width of the rear lip of the boot lid.
the idea of this is so the 2 outside sections will each fit behind a seat and the centre section will fit on top of what ever is in the boot, thus I don't have to fight to get to the roof if I need it and I will therefore carry it more often (the front-to-back depth of the boot is just enough to accomodate the panel)
the panels will join together using locating pins which I will glass into the void which is behind the bump at the front and the back of the panel.
a rubber seal will be glued to the cut edges.
soft covered overcentre catches will pull all 3 panels together to provide strength and to crush the rubber seal to make the cuts waterproof.
the locating pins and seals will be attached in a way which will allow the two outside edges to be clipped together so they can be stored as one piece. this is just for easier storage should everything need to go in the boot.
the roof will be painted rather than fabric covered. this is because dealing with fabric in this instance is a pain and i still have the original roof if I need it.
I would like to retain the interior carbon fibre appearance if possible so the cuts need to be accurate and not damage this.
++++
I've got a spare targa and removed the fabric and window seals etc so I am ready to create a split secion roof.
I've obviously got my own idea which is at the bottom of here, but I'd like to hear your ideas before i start in case anyone else has a great idea I can use/incorporate (steal)
there has been some secrecy about split roofs, and I admit I've been secretive about what I had planned.
But sod it, if I get something out of it and someone else nicks the idea what do I care, I'm unlikely to ever put my roof idea into production anyway and if someone else can, and make a few quid out of it, then good luck to them.
So here is my idea to get things rolling. Your comments, suggestions and ideas, both for my roof idea and any ideas of your own for a split roof will be most welcome.
Ian
++++
I plan to cut the roof into 3 sections with the cuts running front-to-back roughly mid point of each sun visor.
the important measurement is the width of the centre section which should be less than the width of the rear lip of the boot lid.
the idea of this is so the 2 outside sections will each fit behind a seat and the centre section will fit on top of what ever is in the boot, thus I don't have to fight to get to the roof if I need it and I will therefore carry it more often (the front-to-back depth of the boot is just enough to accomodate the panel)
the panels will join together using locating pins which I will glass into the void which is behind the bump at the front and the back of the panel.
a rubber seal will be glued to the cut edges.
soft covered overcentre catches will pull all 3 panels together to provide strength and to crush the rubber seal to make the cuts waterproof.
the locating pins and seals will be attached in a way which will allow the two outside edges to be clipped together so they can be stored as one piece. this is just for easier storage should everything need to go in the boot.
the roof will be painted rather than fabric covered. this is because dealing with fabric in this instance is a pain and i still have the original roof if I need it.
I would like to retain the interior carbon fibre appearance if possible so the cuts need to be accurate and not damage this.
++++
Edited by Barreti on Wednesday 14th May 11:36
Hi all.
Having now had my Griff for 6 months and now getting out & about I have also been thinking about the practicalities of the roof.
Your 3 piece version is similar to what I've been thinking, so for what it's worth, go for it.
Nothing wrong with the two piece, just had the same thought of sticking it behind the seats.
Having now had my Griff for 6 months and now getting out & about I have also been thinking about the practicalities of the roof.
Your 3 piece version is similar to what I've been thinking, so for what it's worth, go for it.
Nothing wrong with the two piece, just had the same thought of sticking it behind the seats.
Well done mate !! No secrecy about mine, anyone can view it whenever they want 
Still f
king fuming about the Chimp thread !!!Barreti said:
the idea of this is so the 2 outside sections will each fit behind a seat and the centre section will fit on top of what ever is in the boot, thus I don't have to fight to get to the roof if I need it and I will therefore carry it more often (the front-to-back depth of the boot is just enough to accomodate the panel)
2 piece middle/cut section placed in the recess above the tank, the curves on the outer part of both sides follow the the line of the boot & fit in on top of a full LeMans load 
Edited by Del Del Del on Wednesday 14th May 20:39
Thanks Del Del Del, you know never realised that with the roof cut in half that both halves would fit on top of the contents of the boot. That is exactly the thinking I was hoping to get. Thanks 
As for the Chimp forum guys, is it any wonder people don't bother to share ideas
Perhaps my comment will stop the sarcy comments and thanks very much for your support mate
As for the Chimp forum guys, is it any wonder people don't bother to share ideas
Perhaps my comment will stop the sarcy comments and thanks very much for your support mate
Personally I think it's a great idea! I'm not sure about how easy it'll be to get the locating pins working well though. You'll have to be careful that you don't damage the pins/pin location holes if you bend it slightly during fitting if the clamps are clamped or if they catch. Do you reckon they'll be strong enough for that?
I think it would be a shame not to cover it with the same material as the rear section of the roof though. Otherwise it could make the rear section stand out as being different from the rest of the car. However, I can inderstand it's not the easiest thing to do.
How do you actually cut the roof panel - with a circular saw? I have no idea if it will splinter badly or cut nice and cleanly.
Del Del Del - have you got any photos of yours? Was it easy to put together? How did you deal with sealing the gap down teh middle?
Nick
I think it would be a shame not to cover it with the same material as the rear section of the roof though. Otherwise it could make the rear section stand out as being different from the rest of the car. However, I can inderstand it's not the easiest thing to do.
How do you actually cut the roof panel - with a circular saw? I have no idea if it will splinter badly or cut nice and cleanly.
Del Del Del - have you got any photos of yours? Was it easy to put together? How did you deal with sealing the gap down teh middle?
Nick
I'm still wondering if i should have cut the roof across from door to door as opposed to through the middle front to back Del 
as the hood mechanism would ensure plenty of compressive force on the central seal and still easily fit in the boot.
I think Dave V8 Griff is on that case with Gerbil and co
Don't rush into cutting it just yet Ianyou smelly Sod
as the hood mechanism would ensure plenty of compressive force on the central seal and still easily fit in the boot.I think Dave V8 Griff is on that case with Gerbil and co
Don't rush into cutting it just yet Ian
you smelly Sod Personally i love the idea of being able to pack the roof on top of teh rest of the luggage in the boot. I drive my griffith every day as an only car and i am certain that with something like this i would spend even more time with thr oof off.
The only thing that i have been considering along a similar line is a simple soft waterproof covering that can be fitted in place of the roof, kind of a tonneau cover type affair. Something that doesn't even allow you to drive with it on maybe. Just an item that allows the car to be parked and a covering added to keep the car dry and partially secure.
Thinking of a couple of solid bars that allow the roof to lock in place with a single piece of waterproof fabric that holds them together and waterproofs the car.
Loads of words - hope i have go the idea over.
The only thing that i have been considering along a similar line is a simple soft waterproof covering that can be fitted in place of the roof, kind of a tonneau cover type affair. Something that doesn't even allow you to drive with it on maybe. Just an item that allows the car to be parked and a covering added to keep the car dry and partially secure.
Thinking of a couple of solid bars that allow the roof to lock in place with a single piece of waterproof fabric that holds them together and waterproofs the car.
Loads of words - hope i have go the idea over.
Barreti said:
Thanks Del Del Del, you know never realised that with the roof cut in half that both halves would fit on top of the contents of the boot. That is exactly the thinking I was hoping to get. Thanks
As for the Chimp forum guys, is it any wonder people don't bother to share ideas
Perhaps my comment will stop the sarcy comments and thanks very much for your support mate
Just Del is fine big fellaAs for the Chimp forum guys, is it any wonder people don't bother to share ideas
Perhaps my comment will stop the sarcy comments and thanks very much for your support mate
Its tight but does fit. I doubt all boots or roofs are the same though, so dont blame me if you do cut yours in 2 & it doesn't fit
If you want to wait & try mine in June your more than welcome
i was amazed with the height of all the stuff in the boot, panels placed on top & pushed down to squash it a bit, boot closed quickly & it clicked closed !!
You've met T so you WILL understand
thats because of the luggage before anyone says the wrong thing with the mood i'm in !!I don't get the idea of cutting the roof from door to door. am I being thick as well as smelly ?
The compression of the rear roof would only serve to pop the roof apart surely.
Aaaaah, light bulb moment. The curve over the door would stop it popping up wouldn't it. Are there hollows at the side like there are at the front and back?
With my idea the locator pins would be made out of something like either dowels of wood or pieces of ali. You'd be surprised just how big the voids are so there's no problem with them being strong.
Think of it like this - My guess is the roof is made of 2 pieces. The inside and the outside which are then bonded together with a piece of something that looks like a 2ft x 1ft piece of thick paper towel right in the centre for a reason I can't imagine.
Both pieces are probably no more than 3mm or so thick. So if you look at the 'bubble' over the windscreen or by the back hoop you'll see its quite thick, well everything over about 6mm is a gap more than big enough to stick your thumb in.
So if I made locator pins that fit into these voids it would just make life easier when I try to put the whole thing together.
That's the idea anyway.
The reason for the overcentre catches is to pull everything in tight to crush the seals and ensure its waterproof. Although if I'm honest I have a leven cover that goes everywhere with me so waterproof probably isn't that important.
Tell you what, I'm starting to think Del had the right idea with his quick and dirty (no Del, that's not a slur on T)
The compression of the rear roof would only serve to pop the roof apart surely.
Aaaaah, light bulb moment. The curve over the door would stop it popping up wouldn't it. Are there hollows at the side like there are at the front and back?
With my idea the locator pins would be made out of something like either dowels of wood or pieces of ali. You'd be surprised just how big the voids are so there's no problem with them being strong.
Think of it like this - My guess is the roof is made of 2 pieces. The inside and the outside which are then bonded together with a piece of something that looks like a 2ft x 1ft piece of thick paper towel right in the centre for a reason I can't imagine.
Both pieces are probably no more than 3mm or so thick. So if you look at the 'bubble' over the windscreen or by the back hoop you'll see its quite thick, well everything over about 6mm is a gap more than big enough to stick your thumb in.
So if I made locator pins that fit into these voids it would just make life easier when I try to put the whole thing together.
That's the idea anyway.
The reason for the overcentre catches is to pull everything in tight to crush the seals and ensure its waterproof. Although if I'm honest I have a leven cover that goes everywhere with me so waterproof probably isn't that important.
Tell you what, I'm starting to think Del had the right idea with his quick and dirty (no Del, that's not a slur on T
)nia198 said:
I think it would be a shame not to cover it with the same material as the rear section of the roof though. Otherwise it could make the rear section stand out as being different from the rest of the car. However, I can inderstand it's not the easiest thing to do.
I might cover it in the future if it all works OK, but at £100 a pop for the fabric its not cheap, so painting it is a hopefully a cheap alternative while I prove the concept.nia198 said:
How do you actually cut the roof panel - with a circular saw? I have no idea if it will splinter badly or cut nice and cleanly.
Nick
We cut another roof with a dremel with a mini grinding disc. Trouble is I can't think if it splintered or not. I'm thinking of a kitchen worksurface blade for my jigsaw might also work.Nick
Good luck with the roof Barreti, any chance you could take some pics of the job as you do it and post them up? Ta
After only a couple of months with a Griff the roof into boot battle is doing my head in. I think I've sourced another panel so I'll be chopping soon. And Le Mans is fast approaching.
After only a couple of months with a Griff the roof into boot battle is doing my head in. I think I've sourced another panel so I'll be chopping soon. And Le Mans is fast approaching.
Edited by swanny71 on Wednesday 14th May 23:35
Barreti said:
Tell you what, I'm starting to think Del had the right idea with his quick and dirty (no Del, that's not a slur on T)
)nia198 said:
How do you actually cut the roof panel - with a circular saw? I have no idea if it will splinter badly or cut nice and cleanly.
Nick
Nick
Barreti said:
We cut another roof with a dremel with a mini grinding disc. Trouble is I can't think if it splintered or not. I'm thinking of a kitchen worksurface blade for my jigsaw might also work.
I used a deep, thin bladed, fine cut, hand saw at the recommendation of the 1st roof surgeon Edited by Del Del Del on Thursday 15th May 00:16
Del Del Del said:
Barreti said:
Tell you what, I'm starting to think Del had the right idea with his quick and dirty (no Del, that's not a slur on T)
)nia198 said:
How do you actually cut the roof panel - with a circular saw? I have no idea if it will splinter badly or cut nice and cleanly.
Nick
Nick
Barreti said:
We cut another roof with a dremel with a mini grinding disc. Trouble is I can't think if it splintered or not. I'm thinking of a kitchen worksurface blade for my jigsaw might also work.
I used a deep, thin bladed, fine cut, hand saw at the recommendation of the 1st roof surgeon Edited by Del Del Del on Thursday 15th May 00:16
BTW Ian what are you going to paint your roof with as i need to do the same ?
swanny71 said:
Good luck with the roof Barreti, any chance you could take some pics of the job as you do it and post them up? Ta
Thank you very much Swanny71, I will document it all, but www.TheGriffithPages.com will get the story because Simon is one of the Griff Roof Killing Squad that started all this lunacy with me a year ago.Pasco said:
BTW Ian what are you going to paint your roof with as i need to do the same ?
I'm going to take it somewhere and have it painted as a Union Jack flag with the blue of the flag the same colour as the existing roof. see, I is not as mad as you be thinking I is
I don't know where yet though - I've put a thread up on the Midlands forum, hopefully someone knows someone etc who wouldn't mind having a go at it.
This is going to be a revelation I think because I bet there are very few people who have actually seen this.
courtesy and copyright of Ballistic Banana
You can imagine a couple of pins sticking out of those holes to make things stable and easier to handle, and you can see why I think I can fit small overcentre catches to pull the roof together to make the seals waterproof.
courtesy and copyright of Ballistic Banana
You can imagine a couple of pins sticking out of those holes to make things stable and easier to handle, and you can see why I think I can fit small overcentre catches to pull the roof together to make the seals waterproof.
Edited by Barreti on Thursday 15th May 11:47
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