Summers here! (almost)

Summers here! (almost)

Author
Discussion

jamiebrodie

Original Poster:

44 posts

254 months

Sunday 16th May 2004
quotequote all
Hi all, i took my hard top off for the first time today, and what a blast! I didnt realise how completely different it would be, the acceleration is awesome even though hard top only weighs about 40kilo's and its great to have wind blowing my hair (off!)
One worry is the slightly wobbly front screen, anything over 50mph and im aware the screen starts to take a pounding. Am i best off fitting a support beam between roll bar and screen or will it stay attatched????

techsec

633 posts

283 months

Monday 17th May 2004
quotequote all
Hi
You really need some sort of support brace for the windscreen (as you say back to the roll over bar) otherwise it will flex and could (if any weak spots) fracture.
That is why on the soft top equipped ones there are two brace bars fitted.
Naturally with the hard top on this provides the support required.
You should be able to make suitable braces which will still allow fitment of the hard top with minimal problems.

IanA

472 posts

283 months

Monday 17th May 2004
quotequote all
Told you so Jamie !!!
Last time I checked (about 3 years ago) the braces were still available from Jago Developments at about £60 each. That's why I made my own. Presumably the new producer in Wales will supply...
Regards
Ian

PS you'll be wanting a tonneau then.

jamiebrodie

Original Poster:

44 posts

254 months

Monday 17th May 2004
quotequote all
Haha! you read my mind Ian, Id love a tonneau, i dont want to put the roof back on till winter now! Although im still a fan of the hard top (winter/rain wise) its a whole different ball game with top off. Ive purchased a tarpaulin and a few bungees for rain cover, but this isnt really ideal in the long term. I may look into having a tonneau or soft top kit made for me. I think you said yours was about £200?
First thing first is the support for screen,do you think the gap between window rubber and top lip of screen is sufficient for a plate to be screwed for bar from rollbar to be attatched (its only about an inch wide)? id prefer one bar in center to one either side of screen

whackman

64 posts

255 months

Monday 17th May 2004
quotequote all
HI JAMIE
WHAT I DID ON MY GEEP WAS TO BOND A PIECE OF INCH SQUARE TUBING ACROSS THE INSIDE TOP OF THE SCREEN FRAME
WHICH HAS A 2 INCH (SAME AS ROOL CAGE) PIECE OF TUBE
WELDED ONTO IT AND THEN WELDED TO ROLL CAGE, WHEN COVERED WITH THE SAME PIPE LAGGING, IT LOOKS TOPS AND IS VERY STURDY TOO.

IanA

472 posts

283 months

Tuesday 18th May 2004
quotequote all
I made mine out of one-inch square tubing as well. Surprising how much difference it makes. The windscreen on mine has the bolted-on triangular section so it was easy to drill and tap that to take the flat bracket on the end of the brace. The mounting at the back was a p.o.p. and I took the opportunity to add a flat plate to mount a pair of red marker lights as hi-level brake lights. Tickles the MOT tester every time...

I suppose you could use the side bars that the soft tops have to brace the door openings. The ones made of reinforcing rod that bolt to the "handles" on the rollbar at the back and fit into the sockets on the windscreen frame at the front. You'd have to fasten them at the front otherwise they'd fall out when the screen flexes forwards- been there. They'd also impede entry & exit. You're probably better off with the single centre brace.
Cheers
Ian