Installing hard top on 86 C4 convertible

[Bob Yates]

Does anyone know whats needed to put a hard top on a 86 convertible. I got a chance to buy one and would like to be able to put it on without a lot of modifications.Will I still be able to use my windsheild header hold down levers to hold the front of the roof panel down and will I still use the rear convertible latches? Is there any modifications to the side post by each door? GM use to make a retro kit but it has been discontinued. Thanks in advance for anyone's help.....Bob Yates

 

[chaos on wheels]

The windshield header brackets are different, as are the B-pillar brackets (where the soft-top arms attach to the frame), and the latches which hold the rear pins. The tonneau cover is also slightly different to accomodate the new latches and a different release assembly.

The hardtop attaches to the windshield header with bolts captured in the header bracket. There are brackets which bolt the hardtop's roll hoop to the car's B-piller. And there are small bolts in the hardtop's rear "pins" which screw into captured nuts in the rear latches.

I have some pics that I'll post later.

 

[c4cruiser]

You will need that retrofit kit in order to get the hardtop to bolt in. There are a set of brackets included that must attach to the car B-pillars right in front of the soft top frame hinges. The hardtop comes with two large metal brackets that bolt to the B-pillar and the boxed portion of the hartop frame. Your car probably doesn't have the nuts in the bottom of the soft top's rear pin attaching points. The retrofit kit included a different set of latches.

The windshield pillars had the pin locations in different spots in the earlier cars and a bolt is alerady in place in the pillars of the later cars. You would need a way to get the bolt in place.

You pretty much have to come up with the retrofit kit in order for this to work.

 

[chaos on wheels]

Here are some pics of the hardtop mounting points.

Windshield header (the bolt is not normally up):

The B-pillar mount:

The latches which hold the rear top pins have built in nuts:

The underside of the tonneau cover, the pin release mechanism is different from the early cars:

 

[Bob Yates]

Thanks Jason....The pix's help out a lot. the might be more trouble than it's worth. I'm looking for that retro kit GM use to make. If I can't find it I guess I'll stay a rag top.... Thanks again. Bob Yates