Quick Release Targa Mods?

[Neodeuccio]

Has anyone ever done any mods to make the targa faster and easier to install/uninstall? Those damned bolts always piss me off, so I would think someone would have come up with some sort of upgrade, but I didn't see anything when I did a search.

Any ideas out there?

 

[TurboStreetCar]

A lot of people have tried but it's very difficult to do because of the way the targa is designed. You would have to either strip the targa and modify both the targa and the body for a quick release setup or make something that bolts in between the targa and body that is quick release capable.

Both of witch are a task not easily solvable.

 

[92nsx]

Here you go.

It work good, plus it is small. You can also get it in 7.2 volt.

 

[RazoE]

if you have the proper targa tool, it only takes 30 seconds to take the top off..

it's not that hard...

unbolt the one behind your head, then the one behind the passenger, then move onto the front passenger one and then then one infront of you..

all you do is unbolt with one hand and push up with the other, once it lifts up, let it sit, pop the hatch, get out open it, stand on the door sill and lift up, and place it in the back, close the hatch and go on your merry way..

I'm a pretty skinny dude, 5'6, and 120 lbs, and I can do all, including putting it in the back in less than 45 seconds...

 

[Neodeuccio]

I've got plenty of experience pulling the top, I just think it's kinda of a pain in the ass. Is it hard? No. But I'm sure it could be easier.

One of the things I'd considered, which I haven't really researched yet, is installing a weld-in X brace, then using locking hood pins to hold the targa in place.

Basically, start with something like this:

Then modify the top to use pins like these:

I plan on doing the X brace anyway, so I'll probably just pick up a spare targa to try it out with. I have no idea if it would work, but I figure it's worth a try. The idea is that there are no bolts inside that you have to screw with (nice pun, huh?). You hop out, pop the pins, and you're ready to go.

 

[bhg_mkiii]

where can i get an X-brace like that?

 

[Neodeuccio]

Unfortunately you can't. That one is out of Rajunz car and it's completely custom.

 

[Koenigturbo]

Here you go.

It work good, plus it is small. You can also get it in 7.2 volt.

I'd make an adpator to plug it in the cig lighter with curly cord.

 

[Supra_Villan]

I've got plenty of experience pulling the top, I just think it's kinda of a pain in the ass. Is it hard? No. But I'm sure it could be easier.

One of the things I'd considered, which I haven't really researched yet, is installing a weld-in X brace, then using locking hood pins to hold the targa in place.

Basically, start with something like this:

Then modify the top to use pins like these:

I plan on doing the X brace anyway, so I'll probably just pick up a spare targa to try it out with. I have no idea if it would work, but I figure it's worth a try. The idea is that there are no bolts inside that you have to screw with (nice pun, huh?). You hop out, pop the pins, and you're ready to go.

i have spare targa if you want it. shoot me a price.

 

[Neodeuccio]

Unfortunately I'm a bit short on cash at the moment, and I'm sure shipping would cost an arm and a leg. Otherwise I'd be all over the offer. Thanks though!

 

[Koenigturbo]

You may want to ask Brian Spillman or "O Conner" (What ever his name is) How he got his targa top off. He just took his fist and and pounded it a couple of times and it flew right off.

 

[Neodeuccio]

Yeah, i thought about that, but I don't really want to trash my targa by throwing it onto the highway at high speed.

 

[Poodles]

if you have the proper targa tool, it only takes 30 seconds to take the top off..

it's not that hard...

unbolt the one behind your head, then the one behind the passenger, then move onto the front passenger one and then then one infront of you..

all you do is unbolt with one hand and push up with the other, once it lifts up, let it sit, pop the hatch, get out open it, stand on the door sill and lift up, and place it in the back, close the hatch and go on your merry way..

I'm a pretty skinny dude, 5'6, and 120 lbs, and I can do all, including putting it in the back in less than 45 seconds...

Wrong order

Driver's side front, passenger's side front, passenger's side rear, driver's side rear to remove.

To install, passender's side rear, driver's side rear, driver's side front, passenger's side front.

Doing it out of order will damage the fasteners.

I've got plenty of experience pulling the top, I just think it's kinda of a pain in the ass. Is it hard? No. But I'm sure it could be easier.

One of the things I'd considered, which I haven't really researched yet, is installing a weld-in X brace, then using locking hood pins to hold the targa in place.

Basically, start with something like this:

Then modify the top to use pins like these:

I plan on doing the X brace anyway, so I'll probably just pick up a spare targa to try it out with. I have no idea if it would work, but I figure it's worth a try. The idea is that there are no bolts inside that you have to screw with (nice pun, huh?). You hop out, pop the pins, and you're ready to go.

The MKIV's have a lock latch on them to stop them from flying off if you leave the bolts undone. That's how the scene is done in F&F.

The issue with using pins is that they're not tight enough, and they won't pull the top down the seal. You'll get rattles and leaks.

Remember that the top when bolted in a stress member and takes loads, unlike t-tops.

 

[Neodeuccio]

Well the idea is to use the weld in brace to take the load off of the targa. At that point all the top would really be is a cover to keep rain and wind out, which the pins should be able to handle just fine.

 

[Poodles]

They'd still have to pull down, and the only proper place on the targa is the mounting points (any other place wouldn't take the loads).

I could see using clamps from a convertable top to pull it down, but they're big...

 

[Neodeuccio]

Well, once I lay my hands on a spare targa, I'm gonna try pulling it apart and getting rid of anything that wouldn't be needed. Then, theoretically, when I'm down to the bare metal, I could have some additional pieces welded to the bottom of it to give it the required strength. However, I've never had a spare targa to pull apart, so this is all hypothetical at the moment.

 

[Koenigturbo]

Sorry I'd have to agree with "The Who" fan. I think the top has to come down also, I think it will leak and rattle.
Just my honest opinion.
But that remains to be seen, But what do I know, mine has trouble staying tight, let alone keep leaks out.

 

[Tajabaho1]

from personal experience, yea, the top has to comedown and completely seal, if not you'd get wind noise at speeds, you'll get water dripping in


and putting in an X bar and then a targa top will make the targa sit higher.............so it won't seal at all

 

[Neodeuccio]

Hmm. Well shit.


Fuck it, I'm gonna do it anyway. I probably won't get started till next year, but I'm gonna give it a shot. Worst case scenario, I fuck up a spare targa.

 

[TurboStreetCar]

If you do it itll be awesome, but its something very challenging.