Show us YOUR Hardtop

[Ole-Boy]

I thought it would be neat to see everyone's removable hardtops.

Different types & styles members have.

Interior/Exterior photos, modifications....etc.

Please...Post some pictures.

Tell us the Good/Bad about it.

Did it/Does it leak? How you solved those leaks?

Here's my factory top

[WacM]

I'm interested as well...anyone??

[Mickey_D]

I am assuming that when you say "all the different types & styles", this means you are talking about aftermarket clip on hard tops and not my factory permanent one, huh?

[fuzzy1]

Hey, I'm jealous of your 'tintop', they're cool... & prolly have lots fewer leak problems... mine was leaking, a little at teh door seals. When I checked under the carpet, it became obvious it had been leaking for a long time. Now I have another repair project on my list.
I thought my top was OEM, but while I was fixing it's rattles I found a sticker that says "FleetAir"... now I know why I couldn't find the rear window supports. I'm hoping they're still available, unlike Bestop parts... which is lame being they were the OEM supplier.
I don't have my pics loaded on this comp, but here's a link to pics of mine. Again it's a FleetAir & attaches with four 'knobbed' bolts inside, to brackets that are mounted on the lip of the rear.

http://www.suzuki-forums.com/suzuki-...-new-toys.html

The rear window works just like a pickup cap, with 't-bar' handle & latches. I really like the tinted/slider rear windows, they have screen on them even... woot!! I wish it had the cool & handy roof rails that some have though.
After getting my Tracker & I bothered to notice, I've seen at least 4 or 5 different styles of convertible hardtop around.
IIRC Rocky Road still sells new hardtops... they're pricey ofc. I see them for sale used pretty often too, so you still have lots of options. IMHO they're a big improvement over softop.
On a side note, mine was MAJORLY rattley when I got it... & I HATE rattles. I used vacuum caps on the ends of the bars & some heavy waxed string on the t-bar joints like a bushing. (Just wrapped it around & tied it on.) Shut it up good... then I noticed how much my tailgate was rattling. I tried to adjust the striker, used an impact driver & PB Blaster on the screws & all... & couldn't get them to budge. Then I noticed that the rubber ring below the latch on the gate itself is on an eccentic. I turned that +/- 20* or so... & YAY no more tailgate rattle, even with the heavier spare on it!! It hangs up just a little... takes a slight *tug* to open, & a little more*swing* to close fully, but not bad & IT"S NOT RATTLING!! YAY!!
Heh, anyhow that's M2C.

Fuzz

[Chris Koff]

yeah....
I have an '89 sidekick with a hartop bought from the dealer...

[Ole-Boy]

Hey Chris,

I have the same identical top ( I think ) Does your rear defroster say Suzuki in it?

Do me a favor. Take some close-up pictures of the rear interior latching system and add them to your above post. Reason being, I'm in the middle of installing it on my 98.

[Chris Koff]

OB - yup we have the same one! "Suzuki" in the Glass

here are pics of how it mounts from the inside.

MC-04.JPG
mc-05.JPG
MC-06.JPG

[Ole-Boy]

Thanks for the pictures Chris. We do have the same top. I think it looks stylish, not having the added fiberglass forward of the window in the top.

If possible, I need a better picture of where the latch, latches too. More of a straight-on, as close as possible would be great.

Also, the rear swing-door on your sidekick, it looks like you don't have the top black-plastic trim piece? What's there? Whatever it is appears to be slightly bent towards the back to keep from chewing up the seal of the top when you close it all up.

[Chris Koff]

Ok Ole-boy
try these;



here is the back


your's looks in better shape than mine. Have you replaced window seals? or the back door gas struts?

[Ole-Boy]

I haven't replaced any seals as all were in good shape. I did pull the side interiors/rain guards off and removed the side-vents. The sealing method that was used was all dried out and I could foresee leaking problems this winter. I also went around the exterior circumferances of the window seals with a small flat-tip screwdriver and washed/cleaned all the crud out. I plan on resealing those with black weather-strip sealant. I have to get the application tip from the windshield guy to do that as it's very flat and puts the sealant right where the glass meets the seal, and not all over the exterior of it. That way I avoid having to clean up a bunch of mess.

My gas struts are original. A little weak on the lifting, but hold it up just fine.

Also, I have 2 stress cracks running up/down at the corners by the lover vent covers. That's an easy fix. For stress cracks, goto the nearest Remote Control Hobby Shop and get a bottle of MED Cynacrilite ( READ THE WARNING LABEL) glue and squirt into the crack. It will wick it's way deep into the crack and seal it back up/join it together stronger than original. Aside from that. I'm almost done TLC'ing it.

I'd really like to find those clip braces that your clips, clip onto?

Thanks for everything Chris. It's greatly appreciated

FYI-----Your vents have been leaking quite a bit. Notice the green algae at the base by the clips