Ok as I run a hardtop all the time (unless a very rare top off day) I decided there was no point carting the heavy old folded down softop around with me so stripped it out last night, took just over an hour to get to the point in below pictures, nothing too difficult apart from awkwardness of lifting it out on my own once the zillon fixings were removed, but I managed.
I watched the following video to get an idea on what is involved, its not a perfect guide but helpful and does give you the pointers on where the fixings are etc - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzRfPC00qc8
(http://carbotech-europe.com/images/MR2/mr2-roofstrip1.jpg)
(http://carbotech-europe.com/images/MR2/mr2-roofstrip1.jpg)
Here is a pile of parts removed :) , I will be refitting the lower part of bins and the back carpet/cover which on quick mockup looks pretty tidy, just a little work to do at edges to cover exposed metal but I think I can utilise the drain pockets and things to make it look ok and will get some pics up once I get it back together.
I also have a brace/harness bar to fit in which you can see in pictures, I pulled this out of the car I stripped turbo off down at Rogue on the weekend as its saves me making one after hacking up my softtop frame apart to get the seatbelt mounting parts (something you need to do if removing softop as mounts are part of frame). Its made up of hacked softtop frame ends and a custom made bar going across which looks good and strong.
Initially I did think the removed top might be of use for someone but probably not now so if anyone is planning same and doesn't want to hack up there frame I will be cutting mine up to get brackets for seatbelt if you need them.
(http://carbotech-europe.com/images/MR2/mr2-roofparts.jpg)
Remember to keep the cross bar and modify the softtop frame mounts to allow you to run OEM seatbelts.
Something i would like to do as i run permanent hard top (if i am able to afford to run a car after approaching retirement)
Quote from: m1tch on October 1, 2019, 12:15Remember to keep the cross bar and modify the softtop frame mounts to allow you to run OEM seatbelts.
Yes thats all in hand see above :) i picked up a harness bar from Rogue which is made up from a cut roof frame with belt mounts and a strong bar between them :D
Quote from: 105e on October 1, 2019, 12:26Something i would like to do as i run permanent hard top (if i am able to afford to run a car after approaching retirement)
Do it less weight more economy making an MR2 even cheaper to run! :)
Nothing beats topdown motoring you're all bit weird.
😜
Just a thought but resale value will be adversely effected I would imagine.
Haha i dont mind the odd top down run out on perfect day but im not a huge fan of it if im honest, much prefer my motorbike if i want some open air motoring :D
Resale value wise yes thats one thing i have been pondering before doing the delete, but i eventually decided its not a big enough factor to bother me and it can always be refitted if i wanted to in future, condition of the roof isnt great either so cover would be to replace to make it add any value as well.
Quote from: m1tch on October 1, 2019, 12:15Remember to keep the cross bar and modify the softtop frame mounts to allow you to run OEM seatbelts.
I actually don't have the cross bar anymore and I can't really tell the difference. Not having it also improves the accessibility of the newly created cargo space!
(https://i.ibb.co/ZVBdjGQ/IMG-9824.jpg)
Looks neat Snelbaard :) Personally I think the car needs the cross brace to maintain rigidity but I guess with hardtop not so critical, I will fit the one I have as it will double up as harness bar once I get some better seats that can take a harness.
I ordered some black carpet from ebay today so hopefully get it all finished off and buttoned back up in next few days, I washed out the drain pockets tonight to make sure they are clean don't start to stink.
As an out and out top downer.
Can someone enlighten me as to why you would buy a 2, when there are many other (fixed) hardtop type cars available?
Why buy something that is predominantly a softtop (down) car when you prefer a hardtop (up).
Why not just buy a hardtop car in the first place?
I for one would have bought an MR2 coupe if it had been available. But the fact is that almost all lightweight sportscars, that are to a reasonable degree affordable and reliable, are convertibles. Especially if you want the engine in the right place.
Quote from: Ardent on October 1, 2019, 21:01As an out and out top downer.
Can someone enlighten me as to why you would buy a 2, when there are many other (fixed) hardtop type cars available?
Why buy something that is predominantly a softtop (down) car when you prefer a hardtop (up).
Why not just buy a hardtop car in the first place?
I get asked that a lot, basically there is nothing comes close for fun/price and it was same when I had my m x 5 :) if you can think of a hardtop car as much fun as a mr2 for under 2k I need to know :D
So the take away is. Because they are cheap. Fair enough.
You wanted a mid engined, 2 seater sports coupe, but had to compromise on it having a soft top.
I suppose a soft top is a lesser evil than an engine in the wrong place.
Quote from: thetyrant on October 1, 2019, 08:26Ok as I run a hardtop all the time (unless a very rare top off day)
What consitutes a "top off day"
Quote from: Ardent on October 1, 2019, 23:11So the take away is. Because they are cheap. Fair enough.
You wanted a mid engined, 2 seater sports coupe, but had to compromise on it having a soft top.
I suppose a soft top is a lesser evil than an engine in the wrong place.
I didn't specifically want a mid engine sports car just a rear drive, lightweight, good handling and cheap/fun motor to replace my old Supercharged GT86 for road and track use, as ive never had an MR2 before and am constantly being told by my customers how good they are so I thought it was time to try one :)
Ive had over 30 cars (and 16 bikes!) in my 30+years of driving as i like to try different things to see what each has to offer (some say I have a problem haha), the SC GT86 was epic but a lot of money to have tied up in a occasional use fun car and throw around a track and no good as a daily/family car either, so I wanted to see if I can could have as much fun for lot less money and I think with MR2 its worked out well alongside my 3rd BMW 130i used for daily/family duties and backup track car, once I get the turbo on MR2 it should give me same power as stock GT86 (had one of those as well) and will be interesting to compare further :D
As for "What consitutes a top off day " I just need to be in the mood and weather needs to be right 2 things which have only happened a handful of times in the past year of owning this car, same when I had the Mazda and Boxster roof hardly ever came down on those either! lol :)
Quote from: Ardent on October 1, 2019, 23:15Quote from: thetyrant on October 1, 2019, 08:26Ok as I run a hardtop all the time (unless a very rare top off day)
What consitutes a "top off day"
Periodically so that the soft top mechanism doesn't seize :D
Every day is top-down weather!!
If I had a garage, I'd be tempted with the soft AND hardtop deletes... soft-top is there for when the car is parked...
Just thought i would revisit this after someone on FB page reminded me of an issue ive had since doing this mod, basically im getting a little water in the car as the hardtop doesnt seem to make a perfect water tight seal all the way around due to small step/ridge in the moulding on car body just back from the door, the seal on hardtop cant quite close the gap leaving a pin hole at this point so when jet washing or if car is parked at certain angle i get some water running down inside car which goes down carpet ive fitted into storage bin bases.
If you still have softop fitted under hardtop this small amount of water will be caught in the pockets at edges and run out the drains same as if it was running off softop, however without the softtop frame to fix the pockets to ive just clamped them back and covered with carpet to make it look tidy, hence now having this issue.
My car is kept in garage 99% of the time so not a big one for me and just a small amount of water to dry out bins after ive washed it so ive not spent a lot of time trying to resolve it, however i would like to get it water tight in future.
So far ive tried a small amount of soft draft excluder seal at the step in moulding but it just made it worse as deforms hardtop seal in other areas, ive also tried more clamping pressure on hardtop but you can see it flex more as you tighten clamp and again made it worse. I think i small smear of silicone sealant to smooth out the step in moulding will be the answer or if not then i will have to make a bracket to hold the drain pockets open slightly to catch/drain any water that comes in there which shouldnt be to hard to do.
I will get some picture next time im on with it so people who are thinking of doing or already done this can see what i mean, if anyone else has done a delete and has no leaks i would be interested to know about it, i dont think its my seals just the shape of body moulding but maybe a new seal would be better i dont know.
Quote from: BahnStormer on October 24, 2019, 14:28Every day is top-down weather!!
If I had a garage, I'd be tempted with the soft AND hardtop deletes... soft-top is there for when the car is parked...
When I drove a Spitfire 1500 in the Netherlands, I had a tonneau fitted almost all winter even.
One day I will get to drive the car with the top down but for now I enjoy the car for what it is, a fun lightweight sports car with a high reving engine.