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could any 1 please tel me if all sportraks can have the hardtop taken off?? and where 2 get modifications for sportraks from? thanks
could any 1 please tel me if all sportraks can have the hardtop taken off?? and where 2 get modifications for sportraks from? thanks
HARDTOP
HI
I assume you are talkig about the rear hard top which is usually, like the sunroof GREY in colour. Both are easily removed independant of each other. With both removed you have a body coloured section of roof that remains behind the driver seat and a black roll bar behind the rear seats. It is a two person job To remove the roof prise off all the cone shape caps alongthe inside ledge of the rear opening windows and across the roof section behind the driver. These will reveal nuts that need to be undone. Open the rear door and remove the two inner large cross head screws which attach the roof to the rear black roll br. The roof is also located by a peg on each rear corner or the body. With an assitant gently ease the roof squarely upward, dont force, if it doesn't come then youv'e missed a nut or screw. Remeber it has to come off the rear pegs and once off will be quite heavy and awkward. It is GRP or plasticand tends to flex so just take care and time onthe first occasion. Once you have done it youwill know the pitfalls but the firsttme can be a bit worrying.
Having removed the roof again place in a safe place to avoid damage. The rear window is also removed by first disconnecting the LUCAR connectors from the heated rear window and then un doiing the two large black knobs on the inside of the rear door. The two mounting supports/bars remain on the glass. Take care when lifting the window off which can be quite tightly mounted on the rubber seal through age. DON'T CARRY IT BY IT'S SUPPORTS AS THESE ARE BOLTES THROUG HLS WHICH COULDBREAK THE GLASS IF STRAINED. Place the screen WITH SUPPORTS ATTACHED some where safe as replacement is a hellish price. All bolts, caps and screws removed shoud be kept safe for replacementof the roof. I usually put them in one of the rear boxes on the top of the wheel arches
The sun roof is easier. Open it and press together the securing catch legs to relaese it from the catch and lock. Then either stand on the seats and push up to right angle with the roof line and lift. It has two sprung metal clips at the front. Replacement is the reverse. You can also do it from ouside You now have a topless Sportrak.
There are two soft tops, one which does just the rear and supposodly one that includes the sunroof. I haveonly found the rear one and new yu are looking at £400 +. There are two Black ones currently on ebay but ensure that they have all the clips and studs abd rubber seals. For the money they are terrible quality, a "B" to fit and make the car look crap. If youget caught in the rain with it down you will get wet. Althogh they are of terrible quality and looks they are watertight when up. I bourght one in 1995 and have used it twice as it is so awful to fit and use. On the first fit a front clip came away from the roof which was just bad quality fittings.
OLDMINIMAN
M J Young
Hardtop
I once went to view a Diahatsu described as a 2 track. The seller said it was the same as a Sportrak but didnt have 4 wheel drive. From the small picture it looked like a Sporty. When I got there it was as he said two wheel drive, shaped like a Sportrak but with a fixed hardtop like a van. To this day I still dont know exactly what model that Daihatsu was on a P or a T.
As for soft tops. When I first got my Sporty I gave it 12 months till change. Ive had it seven years now and love it to bits. True its a bind taking the hard top off, storing it, and hoping it does not rain when out and needs 2 people to lift it on/off but its certainly worth the experience if only once. I loved it so much I looked into Soft Tops. A now closed down main dealer didnt have much time for me and said it wasnt worth it. Their screen showed a complicated contraption that seemed poles here there and everywhere at top money. Almost giving up I found an ad in Auto Trader and followed it up out of curiosity. It was the best thing I ever did. I got the Monsoon type from the Car Hood Warehouse and their service was excellent. They are happy to answer any queries. The hood did have a problem with a stud not fastening. They collected by courier and returned by same a day later. Me and the wife took the hard top off and lifted the new soft one into position. Mine was tight at first but stretched with time and putting it up taking it down becomes second nature. One person can do it. Though I get help if I also remove/replace the front sunroof to avoid dropping or scratching it but you dont really need to take it off. Touch wood the soft top has never leaked. Though I do thump the corners when closing to make sure it fits snug. Still looks good and turns heads on a sunny day. Other Sporty drivers have clocked it and asked about it. The biggest problem I had was where to store the hard top. Its been there ever since.