1999 Rag Top Replacement Help

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Pat Dreiding - 24 May 2004 00:47 GMT

I plan on replacing it myself in the August-September time frame.
Probably with what is there, black vinyl, glass with defoster.

Any suggestions on where to purchase a replace top for my 1999?
Where to get installation for dummies instructions?

Thanks,
- Pat

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Dana Myers - 24 May 2004 04:55 GMT

> I plan on replacing it myself in the August-September time frame.
> Probably with what is there, black vinyl, glass with defoster.

If I were to go through the trouble to replace a
top on an M2, I'd *especially* look at the canvass-style
top that appeared in 2003...

I'm pretty sure I've seen a description of changing a
top on miata.net or Leon's page, or both.

Dana

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Leon van Dommelen - 25 May 2004 04:54 GMT

>> I plan on replacing it myself in the August-September time frame.
>> Probably with what is there, black vinyl, glass with defoster.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>I'm pretty sure I've seen a description of changing a
>top on miata.net or Leon's page, or both.

Various descriptions are at miata.net. Except mine. ;)
Mine is at http://www.bigbendmiataclub.org/bigbend/events/051902/index.htm

Feel free to e-mail me. Note however that I am traveling at the moment, so
my access may be erratic for a bit.

Leon

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Leon van Dommelen :) Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
To reply to me, the word Miata must be in the subject.
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)

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Dana Myers - 25 May 2004 16:34 GMT

>>I'm pretty sure I've seen a description of changing a
>>top on miata.net or Leon's page, or both.

> Various descriptions are at miata.net. Except mine. ;)
> Mine is at http://www.bigbendmiataclub.org/bigbend/events/051902/index.htm

Thank you, Leon, for supplying the URL. I *knew* I'd seen it before :-)

> Feel free to e-mail me. Note however that I am traveling at the moment, so
> my access may be erratic for a bit.

Where in the world are you? Anywhere near the SF Bay Area? If
so, email me, perhaps I can buy you a coffee/beer/wine/soda...

Dana

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Per K. Nielsen - 25 May 2004 18:15 GMT

>Note however that I am traveling at the moment, so
>my access may be erratic for a bit.

So where's the trip going this year?

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Dana Myers - 25 May 2004 19:08 GMT

>>Note however that I am traveling at the moment, so
>>my access may be erratic for a bit.

> So where's the trip going this year?

Apparently Alabama at the moment but otherwise
not known...

http://www.dommelen.net/miata/tripsu04/index.htm

Dana

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Leon van Dommelen - 26 May 2004 03:55 GMT

>>>Note however that I am traveling at the moment, so
>>>my access may be erratic for a bit.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
>http://www.dommelen.net/miata/tripsu04/index.htm

Actually, it is quite a lot of fun *not* to have a destination. :)

Leon

Signature

Leon van Dommelen :) Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
To reply to me, the word Miata must be in the subject.
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)

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Dana Myers - 29 May 2004 07:49 GMT

> Actually, it is quite a lot of fun *not* to have a destination. :)

I've done that a time or two, in my youth, and, yes, it is
indeed.

Have a great time wherever you're headed ;-)

Dana

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jimuntch - 26 May 2004 19:10 GMT

Thanks for the link to the top installation Leon! The top on my 99 seems to
be in good shape, but I have a problem with some dampness in the sill area
behind the passenger seat. My drains are clear of debris (learned that
lesson the hard way). The wettest area is located on the carpet near the
drain, after sitting in the rain. Do you think the rain rail is the
problem, and do people ever replace just the rain rail, or modify it to stop
the leak? Thanks, and good luck on your trip...jim

> >> I plan on replacing it myself in the August-September time frame.
> >> Probably with what is there, black vinyl, glass with defoster.
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Leon

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Leon van Dommelen - 27 May 2004 03:59 GMT

>Thanks for the link to the top installation Leon! The top on my 99 seems to
>be in good shape, but I have a problem with some dampness in the sill area
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>problem, and do people ever replace just the rain rail, or modify it to stop
>the leak?

The rain rail is easily damaged when installing, but I do not know how
it would get damaged on an original top. It is not such a big deal to take
off the carpet (do not pull on the carpet to get off the plastic "nails";
use a fork or equivalent) and unscrew the nuts holding the brackets.
Then gently pry open the rain rail and check for garbage or damage. Damage
can be fixed with electricians tape.

Other ideas: (1) Check the rubber weather strips around the window. Their
position is adjustable, but mark the original position first before unscrewing
anything. (2) You might have tiny holes in the side of the top. The reason
is the top material getting pinched at the point where the top frame hits its
stop. There are updated brackets that avoid this. See TSB at finishline.com
(Or is that finishlineperformance.com?)

Leon

Signature

Leon van Dommelen :) Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
To reply to me, the word Miata must be in the subject.
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)

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Pat Dreiding - 29 May 2004 00:23 GMT

I appreciate all your inputs.
I will reconsider the vinyl option.

Hopefully when you respond to this post, please consider my question "Any
suggestions on where to purchase a replacement top for my 1999?"

TIA,
- Pat

> I plan on replacing it myself in the August-September time frame.
> Probably with what is there, black vinyl, glass with defoster.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Thanks,
> - Pat

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