Targa Top Rebuild

[Discseven]

Bought this as 'spare' 10 years ago and stuck it away in my parts bin. Have only cannibalize levers from it in all these years. Now... gona strip it to the bone and rebuild.




Rough around edges but rubber and mechanicals = good condition.




Folds smoother than top that's on car. And retainer clips all fit better than existing top. Mechanically... this is better than roof on car!




Plan is to work this rebuild when not wrestling around with suspension project currently in progress.




Existing roof's plates are too far forward. Perhaps 1/4". Use tape when driving on highway to squelch noise. Will use car as jig so end fit should be spot on---no more high speed tape action.

[wwest]

'78 Targa top does not have radiant heat reflection shielding but most certainly will have if rebuild again.

[wwest]

If top targa cover is iverly tight front-to-back the leading, forward, edge will be lifted away from sealing to body.

[RSTarga]

It will be worth your time and money to send the top to carsincnj.com
Dan does very very good rebuilds. This is not simple.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by wwest

'78 Targa top does not have radiant heat reflection shielding but most certainly will have if rebuild again.

Believe it was you Will who brought up Targa roof insulation in AC thread. Insulation is partly the reason I'm diving into this.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by wwest

If top targa cover is iverly tight front-to-back the leading, forward, edge will be lifted away from sealing to body.

Agreed. In my case it's definitely plate position because rear seam is too open.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by RSTarga

It will be worth your time and money to send the top to carsincnj.com
Dan does very very good rebuilds. This is not simple.

RS... Dan's reputation & world-class work is well known by me. In this case, it's not a matter of time & money. Am doing it because it's an appealing challenge. If I F it up... there's no deadline---I'll take apart and do it again. At some point... it will be right.

[rokemester]

I like your attitude! Go for it! Subscribed.

[Bob Kontak]

Hey Karl,

I rebuilt mine and the main downsides I encountered were:

- The webbing material holding the slats in place were tired. I did not address
- I did not use the right adhesive.
- I bought the vinyl from Stoddard and they sold the domestic stuff vs the German vinyl.

Well worth your while to pay Dan a couple hundred bucks to replace the webbing correctly.

This will save you hours of heartache. After he does this your top will be "square". Plus with paying for his service, that will grease the skids for some good info to come your way - i.e., adhesive info.

I kicked ass on the work I performed. Almost to Ronnie's diligence level. Tired webbing, forget it. Not a prayer's chance of being correct.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by rokemester

i like your attitude! Go for it! Subscribed.

Vote of confidence appreciated ROKE | TY

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Hey Karl,

I rebuilt mine and the main downsides I encountered were:

- The webbing material holding the slats in place were tired. I did not address
- I did not use the right adhesive.
- I bought the vinyl from Stoddard and they sold the domestic stuff vs the German vinyl.

Well worth your while to pay Dan a couple hundred bucks to replace the webbing correctly.

This will save you hours of heartache. After he does this your top will be "square". Plus with paying for his service, that will grease the skids for some good info to come your way - i.e., adhesive info.

I kicked ass on the work I performed. Almost to Ronnie's diligence level. Tired webbing, forget it. Not a prayer's chance of being correct.

Hey Bob... TY for heads up notes. Adhesive... Can you say what correct adhesive is? And where applied? (Why did you rebuild yours?)

Skin. When time comes, will strip it from existing roof and put on rebuild.

Advice concerning Dan... duly noted my friend but---I do these projects for the craft of it (as well as the repair.) If you're saying I won't get webbing right... am liking project even more now. Keep it coming Bob! One of us will eat crow. Ron can join you.

Will be taking a look at fit of rebuild on car later today. Am curious to see where rebuild's plates sit compared to existing roof.

[wwest]

I think that if I had 2 frames I might do one in clear vinyl.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by wwest

I think that if I had 2 frames I might do one in clear vinyl.

Interesting idea. Immediately think clear vinyl would not stay clear for long. We'll see how internals set up to see if this would even be possible.

[Discseven]

Fit comparison...






Will start taking rebuild apart today.

[Discseven]

Starting Top Strip

Am not familiar with part names so will be naming them as seems appropriate.

Removing...

Forward inside corner retainers. These are "U" shaped.




Rear metal plates.




Window seals. Tape over screw holes keep screws from falling out.




Gutters. Will soak removed screws in WD40.




Loosen cover material from top along both sides. Strong adhesive here. To prevent water from wicking up & around gutter's contact area to roof, there's silicone between roof and gutter.




Measurements:
From headliner's front edge to front edge of top = 1.76"
From headliner's rear edge to rear edge of top = .74"

Cross bar "C" retainers. Will replace all rustng screws, re-tap threaded blocks, install with anti-seize.




Extra trim (3 1/2" long) at every corner. Goes under corner parts to secure corners of headliner. (Use to stretch headliner.)




Two small screws retain forward outer "wings."




Plugs securing wings pry off easily.




Headliner comes out now... messy business due to crumbling foam with still-sticky adhesive. Do this where a mess doesn't matter.

[Discseven]

Without headliner... foam lines on metal plates (ribs) is where headliner attaches. What a f'in mess.






Measurement between plates. Am not saying these are correct... this is what measures are:

a.) 2.88"
b.) 1.88"
c.) 1.92"
d.) 2.75"

e.) 2.44"
f.) 1.79"
g.) 1.92"
h.) 2.37"

[Charles Freeborn]

This project is on my list to do this winter too.
One thing to bear in mind upon re-assembly is to match the geometry of your car. Meaning, take diagonal measurements from the pins to a consistent point on the latch edge to determine how square (or out of square) your Targa bar and windshield frame are. The pros (Dan and Dave Brown in Colorado) both have adjustable jigs that they set up with the same measurements as the car that the top is to fit. A targa top is a tensioned device with the webbing and skins providing the tension,which also holds it to shape. The shape has to match the car, otherwise you'll have gaps and leaks. If the car is more than 1/4" out of square Dave either won't take on the project, or you have to take him the car as well as the top.
-C
-C

[wwest]

Originally Posted by Discseven

Interesting idea. Immediately think clear vinyl would not stay clear for long. We'll see how internals set up to see if this would even be possible.

Today's vinyl remains clear for years and years.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by Charles Freeborn

This project is on my list to do this winter too.
One thing to bear in mind upon re-assembly is to match the geometry of your car. Meaning, take diagonal measurements from the pins to a consistent point on the latch edge to determine how square (or out of square) your Targa bar and windshield frame are. The pros (Dan and Dave Brown in Colorado) both have adjustable jigs that they set up with the same measurements as the car that the top is to fit. A targa top is a tensioned device with the webbing and skins providing the tension,which also holds it to shape. The shape has to match the car, otherwise you'll have gaps and leaks. If the car is more than 1/4" out of square Dave either won't take on the project, or you have to take him the car as well as the top.
-C
-C

Hey Charles... am planning to use the car for jig when lining up plates. Will use measurements taken while disassembling for reference. So... this top will be built for this car.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by wwest

Today's vinyl remains clear for years and years.

Am thinking you have total clear top in mind Will... meaning clear acrylic panels... webbing and all. Is that the idea? If so, creative for sure. Not to bash but as I envision this direction, don't see different material layers and adhesives being visually appealing once together. There's also potential for greenhouse effect---you know what I think about that. Have seen clear tinted tops but they're hard/non-folding.