Custom hardtop project

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 10:30 pm

I have a hardtop stand that's much more convenient than that one. Folds away really small and tidily. Don't have any photos handy but I'll see if I can find photos (The guy who made it doesn't do them anymore)

Ah whatever, can't find a photo and I'm on the other side of the world. From memory it's in the boot of my car so Harlan, Paul or Ben can take a photo of it or something. Either that or it's in storage

ryanhorton1973 · Post by **ryanhorton1973** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 9:52 am

I would suggest this as it will save you a lot of time and hassle (obviously there is a price to pay for not building it yourself !)

http://shop.autokonexion.com/product.sc ... egoryId=24

MrGrey · Post by **MrGrey** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 9:58 am

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 10:32 am

I do wish the fastback had a more functional boot tbh. I believe you have to slide the back piece off before you can open the boot

MrGrey · Post by **MrGrey** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 10:55 am

hmmm... that does detract from its appeal somewhat.

chris · Post by **chris** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 11:24 am

Yes, it really detracts me. I brought my mx5 for its functionality...

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 11:50 am

I didn't realise the fastback was such a hassle but everything about it seems inconvenient to me

1. The Fastback is not permanent. It is like OEM hardtop and it is removable.

2. Anything that will fit inside the soft top and OEM hardtop will fit inside our fastback, and that answers the question on what roll cage will fit on our fastback.

3. No customazation needed to install the fastback.

4. The trunk is a pull-out trunk, and not hinged for racing purposes. The trunk are fully usable, we were able to fit the stock tires with some more stuff inside and close it.

5. The polycarbonate windows that will come with your fastback is usually with tint, but sometimes the manufacturer runs out of the tinted one’s, so it is possible that we may send you the clear one’s unless you specifically requested with tint upon check-out.

We do not charge extra for tinted once, tint varies from light to dark tint, again we will send you what is available in the Market the time you order the product.

6. The bottom part of the fastback is covered and not bare. Unless … #7

7. If you are looking for lighter fastback, you can get the skin only version. We will remove the bracing to reduce weight, therefore the bottom part (where you can see from the inside of the car) will show the weave of the fiberglass.

We strongly advise (a must) for our customer to use a roll cage. The top must be pinned to the cage itself is a must!

8. The new fastback consist of the actual top and a new trunk to complete the shape of the fastback. It will come in white gelcoat and just like any other fiberglass needs prepping, sanding before painting. This process will be expensive.

9. You have to use most OEM latches or we higly recommend to use Spec Miata bracket.

10. You also need to get your own weather strip for the windows from the dealer,or if you want to save money, the soft top weather strip will also work. All the other seals are already on the car itself.

11. The windows can also be water proof by,using window weld silicone from any automotive stores like Pepboys, Autozone,or even Home Depot.

12. The frankenstein bolt will not be needed. You do need to drill two holes on each side of the trunk canal to bolt the edge of the fastback.

13. You need to cut the trunk seal for the top to sit flush in the trunk area but, leave some strip to seal the trunk.

14. You also need to transfer the OEM U-bolt from the OEM trunk to the fiberglass
trunk for locking.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: This is sold as an off-road use only and requires (a must) a full cage in your Miata. It will not protect you from flip-overs. We will not be responsible for miss-use of this product.

All fastback top will come with solid bottom for added strength.
approx. 32 lbs with regular top and trunk
Top must be pinned to the cage itself is a MUST!

WestieMx5 · Post by **WestieMx5** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 5:13 pm

Thanks for the pics Mr Grey.

Another point, do you guys think if I make the mounting totally bolt-on, no frankinstein bolts or buckles at the front, would it be alright to have only the four mounting points? (the two at the front and the rear two?)

This would mean that no extra mazda hardware would be needed to install, and no need to modify the side pillars to fit the extra buckles.

It would be a little bit slower to remove and install, but only by a few minutes.

WestieMx5 · Post by **WestieMx5** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 5:51 pm

A fastback would be nice but there are the boot issues which makes it quite a bit more complicated.

I really like this one

MrGrey · Post by **MrGrey** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 5:57 pm

WestieMx5 wrote:Thanks for the pics Mr Grey.

lol, for a second I thought you meant the archer gif

Happy to help, just a reminder to grab copies because they are from auctions and so will expire.

as for mounting at 4 points, my initial gut feeling is that 4 would work fine but 6 mounting points would be better from a structural bracing point of view.

chris · Post by **chris** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:55 am

4 would be sweet man, The hardtop adds nothing but aesthetics to the car.

Furai corrected me on this a while back. It dampens the vibrations.

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 10:16 am

chris wrote:4 would be sweet man, The hardtop adds nothing but aesthetics to the car.

Furai corrected me on this a while back. It dampens the vibrations.

Even with all the chassis bracing in my car I can feel the difference with it on and off

chris · Post by **chris** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 10:17 am

As I said it dampens the vibrations, causing a slight placebo effect.

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 10:19 am

Don´t forget noise reduction and insulation properties

chris · Post by **chris** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 10:20 am

I have been running without my hardtop for the past few days.. I never realized how much warmer and quieter the HT's were!

Stevo · Post by **Stevo** » Fri Jun 28, 2013 5:13 pm

Stevo wrote:If you're starting from scratch, you can make whatever style you like. Perhaps something like this
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 337&type=3

I still like this one as it looks cool and does not interfere with the boot.

Custom hardtop project

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