hardtop thread???

[toddslater]

That was a little weird...read this thread where someone was having issues with getting the HT and doors to fit up...went down snapped a pic....come back up....and poof its gone. well I didn't snap the pic for nuthin so....To who ever that was, it seems like you did everything to adjust the door/hinges, but in your pics I could not see/or tell if you had the upper door pieces things in their or not. Here is a pic of the pieces that if they aren't in you will never close the gap up top:

 

[tock13]

it was me...yeah the top pieces are in there. they line up perfect on the pass side. somehting weird is up because th edrivers side wont even sit all the way down on teh tub at th epost because it is hanging ip on the windshield. the top isnt sagging ro anything. tried 2 sets of doors too. I have everything on except the gasket..but that shouldnt keep it from fitting like it is.

 

[toddslater]

Hmmm, the thread had @ 10 replys and 4 pics posted of a blue 73 that had a gap issue along the top of the door/roof line....I see your other thread re: your HT issue.

 

[IDave]

You may be thinking of Skyshark's thread on this subject, which for some reason he chose to place in "Chat" rather than here in Tech, where he is far more likely to get the answers he seeks (or those he doesn't seek, but are still correct, as the case may be).

 

[IDave]

 

[skyshark186]

Still not in the mood by the way.

And yes it was mine. Ill take a couple pics for you right now and you can be the judge. It still doesnt line up at all. And the passenger door is way to low. But the hinges arent loose. And ive already adjusted the door hinges as far as possible. Away i go for pictures.

 

[skyshark186]

Here ya go. Looks like the piece you were talking about is there. But the doors arent contacting it.

 

[skyshark186]

more

 

[skyshark186]

Any thoughts? The only thing i can come up with is to take out the hinges and drill some holes a little lower to move the whole assembly up. Would that be feasable or even work?

 

[IDave]

Yeah, it sounds like that is where your problem is. But before you take them all the way out, I would take the door off, loosen the pillar hinge bolts and bang on them to see if you can get them to move up and down, because they sure as shooting should move like I told you before. Unless some frilling PO welded them in place.

 

[skyshark186]

Well, the dude did have a whole lot of fun with his welder. Ill try that in the morning. Its pretty hard to get to the top ones, but ill bang on the bottom ones and see if they move at all.

 

[IDave]

Yep, it is definitely hard to get to the top ones. I found that a long angled-head closed-head wrench was the only way I could really do it. I moved the top hinge up with the door off, locked it down, then attached the lower one and slid it into place from there.

 

[CruisinGA]

slim ratchet-wrenches (open end wrenches with the ratchet deal) were the trick for me.)

 

[Jetboy]

I would look at your frame. Mine is "twisted" as they say and I have some wierd problems with things alligning. I haven't been able to come up with the $ they want to straighten it and it works fine, but I will get it fixed at some point. Also if your lines on the hood dont quite look right it may also be caused by a bent frame HTH

 

[skyshark186]

Had the frame checked when i bought it. They said it was good. Also, the hood alignment seems good. Other than the fact im missing the rests and windshield bumpers.

 

[IDave]

I realized my description of my wrench might not have been clear, so I picture it here for clarity. Local TrueValue Hardware brand.

Also, I found a 1971 Body and Chassis manual with door adjustment instructions for the FJ40: same as those I posted for the FJ55, if that is helpful.

 

[skyshark186]

What size is your handy dandy True Value wrench. 10mm right?

 

[IDave]

12 x 13 mm, because they are 12 mm bolts (heads).

 

[skyshark186]

Thought it was either 10 or 12. I have to go get one tomorrow. I dont have a wrench that will do me any good in that space.

 

[skyshark186]

Well. After a couple hours of playing, the doors line up a little better. Drivers side is pretty good, still not perfect, but i think as good as its gonna get. Passenger side still has a gap between the weatherstripping and the windshield. So ill have to play with that some more.

Dave wins the cookie. They did move. After i beat on them for a while with a hand sledge. Bang, bang, bang. Bet my neighbors love me. Anyway, its decent and drivable. Thanks guys.