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Vitara soft top fitting.
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Author:  Gceozeh [ Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Vitara soft top fitting.

My zook was bought with a fibre glass roof. I have finally been able to purchase the parts ( second. Hand ) for the soft top. Having the fibre glass roof on before hand I have noticed a few thighs that have been added for it ( mostly rubber) but I am having a little trouble attaching the parts for the soft top.
Does anyone have some photos they could upload of the soft top structure so I can compare to make sure I'm not missing any parts.
Main problem is the rubber going around the edge, it's not lettin the soft top parts sit properly. the rubber is protecting the metal of the car so if that's off, what's meant to be there?

Author:  VonDecoy [ Mon Oct 22, 2012 10:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

Can you describe exactly what parts you mean? Then I can take a photo for you tomorrow. Mines a '97 but I think all the softtop bits are the same. =)
i.e. Which edge you mean. Around the section above the front seats? The rear section? Left, Right, etc.

Author:  Gceozeh [ Tue Oct 23, 2012 12:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

I have one photo.

Author:  VonDecoy [ Tue Oct 23, 2012 9:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

Here's a shot of the same spot as your photo. That rubber strip continues the whole way around to the tailgate.
Image
General overview of the area
Image

If you need any more pics or if you'd like me to remove it fully. Sing out and I'll get it done.

Author:  Gceozeh [ Tue Oct 23, 2012 10:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

ah okay that helps a lot thanks.
I am going to attemp to put it on again soon, rained last time.

Author:  VonDecoy [ Tue Oct 23, 2012 10:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

Heh, rain is the reason I didn't take it off fully to take photos. Stupid Mt Gambier. :P

Author:  Gceozeh [ Tue Oct 23, 2012 3:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

It was such a sunny day when i had started.
Im trying again but the previous owner for some reason ruined the screw heads (screwdriver isnt gripping) to where the soft top poles go and now i cant get the supports on!
Luckily a friend is helping me remove them.

Author:  VonDecoy [ Tue Oct 23, 2012 4:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

RHS Looking rearwards.
Image
RHS Looking forwards.
Image
LHS Looking forwards
Image

I'm pretty sure my softtop has been repaired. Hence the patches. But I don't think the mountings have been altered.
There's a hard plastic curved "hook" that goes around the corner of the car and holds most of the tension. It's part of the softtop and sits on the very corner.
Hooking under the plastic shroud that you've taken off. There's a piece of rubber between my door and the frame.
I'm out of the house working for the next few hours so I won't be able to help. But I'll check in here when I get back.

Author:  Gceozeh [ Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

Thanks again for the photos. Really are helping.
This is one of my corners. A little different. The inside is almost the same. Doesnt look like to bolt in mine will effect it.
And now that i look at the rubber along the outside (shown in photo but not attached) it seems as if someone has cut it off and tryed to put it back on with the silver bolts?.

Author:  VonDecoy [ Tue Oct 23, 2012 10:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

Huh, I don't think mine even has rubber along that section. I'll take it off and get some photos tomorrow. The big plastic bit you have there is larger on mine, it's what holds the softtop down.

Author:  Gceozeh [ Wed Oct 24, 2012 12:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

ah kay i might have to modify it a bit then so that the soft top will still be held down.

Author:  Bucketload [ Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

Hey mate,
Sorry about the night photos but I have a bikini top on at the moment and so thought I could I take a few snaps that might help you out. Mine is a 95 model, not sure if they vary at all (the shots at the rear include a roll bar to avoid any confusion). Don’t know the correct names, but I think you will get the idea. Not sure what the attraction of the soft top is, most people with soft tops want a fibreglass canopy that can be pulled off to have an open topper, but each to their own. Hope these help.
Overview
Image

1. Front Frame Latches

Image

2. Front Frame Mounts

Image

3. Mid Frame Mounts

Image

4. Mid Frame Clips / Rear Frame Mount

Image

5. Rear Frame Clips/Holders

Image

Author:  VonDecoy [ Wed Oct 24, 2012 6:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

No worries mate, I don't know the correct names either.
1. Same as mine.
2. That small bit poking out is bigger on mine (hur hur). It's part of the tensioning system.
3. Same as mine.
4. Same as mine.
5. From that angle it looks the same as mine. The curve on the lower left of your pic is where the top "hooks" into it.

I understand about the "who wants a softtop" thing. When I bought my car I was living in Renmark, so nice sunny hot and dry weather. The softtop was great.
And now I'm in Mt Gambier.... anyone selling a canopy? :)

Pics later today.

Author:  Bucketload [ Wed Oct 24, 2012 7:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

Yeah, my pokey out bits are broken...

Author:  VonDecoy [ Wed Oct 24, 2012 3:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

Heh, me derp. I didn't even notice that Bucketload was a different person also trying to help. I just saw a white Vit. My bad. :oops:
I blame it on work getting me up at stupid'o'clock for a burning rubbish truck.

Do you still need photos of the mountings Gceozeh?

Author:  Gceozeh [ Wed Oct 24, 2012 5:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

haha lol.
I think with all these i should be right. I still havent been able to try get my soft top on. The bolt is still stuck and when i able to see a friend to help me, i found out that i needed a new starter motor :S

Only difference i have just notice, from one of you earlier photos VonDecoy, that one the side there is a plastic clip for the thin metal bars to sit in. Mine doesnt have them. Are they important?

And thanks BucketLoad for the pictures.
I wanted a soft top for summer at the beaches, so when it is parked, people cant just reach in and tear the seats (cause someone has already done that :(

Author:  Bucketload [ Wed Oct 24, 2012 6:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

Just noticed that you are on WA, if that means Perth you can always have a look at mine if you get stuck.

Author:  VonDecoy [ Wed Oct 24, 2012 7:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

VonDecoy wrote:
Image


The one in the bottom left corner? It clips onto the metal rail and holds it tight against the body. It helps stop water and stuff blowing in. The one on the other side is broken, I just use a ziptie to hold the rail tight.

Author:  Gceozeh [ Thu Oct 25, 2012 1:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

yeah thats it.
I might have to also do that if i cant find the part. Is it just screwed in?

Bucketload: Yeah im in perth. I should be fine at the moment. But i will send you a message if i do thanks!

Author:  VonDecoy [ Thu Oct 25, 2012 3:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

Yeah it's just screwed in with two fat phillips head screws. I have a ziptie going from the metal softtop rail to the support hoop. It's held up fine and I just put a new one on whenever I put the roof back.

Author:  Gceozeh [ Sat Oct 27, 2012 9:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

Almost am ready to try put it on again lol. finally got the screws out.
When driving, do you have to take the canvas off completely or does it fold back with the support pole?

Author:  Jester [ Sun Oct 28, 2012 6:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

the front flip over bracket mate, where did you manage to source one?

Author:  VonDecoy [ Sun Oct 28, 2012 5:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

Phew, ok. I'm back from an unexpected weekend in Adelaide. My top has to come completely off while driving.
I think the front section can be folded back on it's own without taking the whole roof off. But I don't like how it sits.

Author:  Jester [ Mon Oct 29, 2012 5:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

it does tend to sit a little funny on the factory style roofs, it never caused me any problems, but i do prefer how it sits with my 2 part roof all the way back, it actually has less wind noise with the roof flipped back then with the roof shut

Author:  Gceozeh [ Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

front flip over bracket? the part that holds the roof above the driver etc?

Author:  Jester [ Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

Gceozeh wrote:
front flip over bracket? the part that holds the roof above the driver etc?

yep thats the one, im trying to get my hands on one, cos mine had a fight with a garage door and came off second best, though i may have a lead on one but wont know til the weekend

Author:  Gceozeh [ Mon Oct 29, 2012 10:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

My car had it on already. The fibre roof just sat on top of it. All though i should also be looking for one considering how rusty it is lol

Author:  Gceozeh [ Sun Nov 11, 2012 9:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

Finally got my soft top this morning.
Dont think i got it on right, the plastic part attached to the cover isnt fittinh/clipping. Also dont have the part that the small pole goes into at the back but fits onto the screw just fine ;)
Did get the fright of my life driving it because i didnt clip the metal front bar down again lol. Made such a loud noise XD

Author:  VonDecoy [ Sun Nov 11, 2012 9:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

If you're talking about the plastic 90 degree bends on the very rear of the top. Put them on First. They help tension the roof.
When taking the roof off work Front to Back. Putting it on work Back to Front. That should get it sitting well.
So, rear 90 degree clips, then head up to the 'B' pillar and connect up the the press studs there. Then fit the sides. Then finish off at the head. :)

Author:  Gceozeh [ Sun Nov 11, 2012 10:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vitara soft top fitting.

okay will try that tomorrow. I know i started from the back to front so i will try it differently tomorrow
thanks

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