Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Mazda / Mazda Miata / November 2004

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

Zippering a 2004 top

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
blinding - 23 Oct 2004 03:32 GMT
When I'm running in the desert all day long across country, I often
like to run with the top up and the back window down. You can't run
topless all day or you turn crispy and I'm not usually a big fan of
AC.

How hard is it to add a zipper to a 2004 non-zipper top?

JJ
Lanny Chambers - 23 Oct 2004 15:16 GMT
> How hard is it to add a zipper to a 2004 non-zipper top?

I doubt anyone has ever tried. You could find an NA (1990-97) owner who
wants to trade top and frame with you. If you want to keep a glass
window, perhaps an aftermarket NA top will fit your frame.

Signature

Lanny Chambers, St. Louis, USA
'94C
the alignment page:
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

chuckk - 23 Oct 2004 18:30 GMT
I'm sure that a good top shop can do this! The big issue will be the weight
of the glass window. It's gonna need a very heavy duty zipper!

>> How hard is it to add a zipper to a 2004 non-zipper top?
>
> I doubt anyone has ever tried. You could find an NA (1990-97) owner who
> wants to trade top and frame with you. If you want to keep a glass
> window, perhaps an aftermarket NA top will fit your frame.
Chris D'Agnolo - 23 Oct 2004 21:18 GMT
A good shop can do anything but finding a good shop that is willing to do it
for a reasonable amount of cash is an entirely different matter. Keep in
mind you can probably recover a good bit of the cost of a zippable glass
window top by selling the top you have. I'm relatively comfortable buying
something when I understand the reason for the sale, that helps allot.

Chris
92BB&T

> I'm sure that a good top shop can do this! The big issue will be the weight
> of the glass window. It's gonna need a very heavy duty zipper!
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.782 / Virus Database: 528 - Release Date: 10/22/2004
Leon van Dommelen - 24 Oct 2004 00:01 GMT
>I'm sure that a good top shop can do this! The big issue will be the weight
>of the glass window. It's gonna need a very heavy duty zipper!

My, quite big, BSP glass window used the OEM half of the zipper in
my 1996 top, and I had no problems for five years zipping it up
and down on average, say, twice a day.  It was fine when I
replaced the top with a 1999+ no zip one.

A zip-down window might not be a bad idea in the desert, though.
I had overheating problems running the AC on Route 66, and
additional natural air circulation would have been welcome.

Leon

>>> How hard is it to add a zipper to a 2004 non-zipper top?
>>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
>Version: 6.0.782 / Virus Database: 528 - Release Date: 10/22/2004

Signature

Leon van Dommelen :)    Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
rammm@dommelen.net            http://www.dommelen.net/miata
                 EXIT THE INTERSTATES       (Jamie Jensen)

letters - 29 Oct 2004 01:24 GMT
As to desert driving, I've done a lot and never really had overheating
problems. That said, removing the front license plate dropped the
gauge from running at about 3/4 when going uphill to hovering only a
little over the center mark as is usual.  This was all with it 110
plus through the southwest.

JJ

>>I'm sure that a good top shop can do this! The big issue will be the weight
>>of the glass window. It's gonna need a very heavy duty zipper!
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>>Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
>>Version: 6.0.782 / Virus Database: 528 - Release Date: 10/22/2004
Eric Baber - 29 Oct 2004 08:53 GMT
> As to desert driving, I've done a lot and never really had overheating
> problems. That said, removing the front license plate dropped the
> gauge from running at about 3/4 when going uphill to hovering only a
> little over the center mark as is usual.

I don't believe it!!!!! I've been having trouble with my MX5 doing just what
you describe - temp going up to 3/4 when pushing it in hot weather - since I
bought it (a year and a half ago). I've exchanged the thermostat and the the
radiator, and while especially putting in the new rad seemed to make some
difference, it hasn't solved it properly. And now you're saying that the
culprit is the license plate in front of the front air intake!!! Stands to
reason, really. That's where my plate is as well; I won't be able to remove
it completely (in the UK we have to have license plates front and back), but
I'll see if I can move it and if that makes a difference. I'll check
miata.net for pictures/suggestions of alternative fixing of the front
license plate.

I could have saved myself a bit of money if I'd known that earlier.... Ah
well. You live & learn.

Eric
chuckk - 03 Nov 2004 04:32 GMT
I thought that the usual position for a UK plate was above the mouth.

>> As to desert driving, I've done a lot and never really had overheating
>> problems. That said, removing the front license plate dropped the
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
> Eric
Eric Baber - 03 Nov 2004 09:39 GMT
It is, but mine's a Japanese import.

Eric

> I thought that the usual position for a UK plate was above the mouth.
>
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.788 / Virus Database: 533 - Release Date: 11/1/2004
Me - 05 Nov 2004 19:59 GMT
We're supposed to have the front plate in California as well. "Sorry
officer, it just fell off a few miles back. I'll be sure to replace it
right away sir!" ;-)

I had an argument with someone over the front license plate removal
being a "scientfically ridiculous" overheating solution. They just
would not believe me when I told them that I'd already done it and it
worked. Go figure.

Jon

>I thought that the usual position for a UK plate was above the mouth.
>
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
>Version: 6.0.788 / Virus Database: 533 - Release Date: 11/1/2004
Leon van Dommelen - 06 Nov 2004 03:04 GMT
>We're supposed to have the front plate in California as well. "Sorry
>officer, it just fell off a few miles back. I'll be sure to replace it
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>would not believe me when I told them that I'd already done it and it
>worked.

In what sense did it work?  In short, what changed?

Leon

> Go figure.
>
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
>>Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
>>Version: 6.0.788 / Virus Database: 533 - Release Date: 11/1/2004

Signature

Leon van Dommelen :)    Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
rammm@dommelen.net            http://www.dommelen.net/miata
                 EXIT THE INTERSTATES       (Jamie Jensen)

 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.