How long does it take you to close the top ....

[k9dr]

The reason I am asking is I just got caught in a downpour. I usually do not take my Fiat out if it looks like it will rain, but my main car was in the repair shop. I was driving in a residential area, so no awnings, bridges, or drive thru to pull under, and the weather went from sunny to hard rain in a matter of seconds - got to love Florida. I found a big tree to pull under that helped a little, but I was still pretty wet by the time I got back in the car. I estimated it took me almost 2 to 3 minutes to remove the boot, raise the top, latch it securely, and close the windows. I have never been able to latch my top from inside the car. I need to push down and in on the top very firmly to line up the holes, then push even harder to close the latch. Any ideas, other than practice, to make my top latch easier and speed up my time ??

[pope]

If it took you more than 35 sec., in a hurry, that is way too slow. I have done this at red lights and not missed a beat. This includes removing cover, roll windows up, and latching top.

Practice...practice...practice!

[k9dr]

The only step slowing me down is latching the top securely. I have literally pulled a muscle trying to force it shut. Luckily, I rarely have the top closed. You have true talent if you can do all that at a red light.

Are there any adjustments that can be made to the top to make it easier to latch ??

[pope]

One bit of advice is to not roll up the windows until after the top is latched. That way, you can put your hand out the window and pull down on the top with one hand and latch with the other.

[adrians]

k9dr,

I'm having similar issues securing the roof, I'm always worried that the tension from the roof and latches will pull to hard on the windscreen frame and crack the windscreen glass.

Another Spider owner has told me to try and lower the entire roof assembly, via the allen bolts that attach in the rear seats quarter panels. I've check these bolts on my car, however mine look as though they're down as far as they can go. My roof is really tight even with the cables loosen off.

See if you can adjust yours !

[k9dr]

One bit of advice is to not roll up the windows until after the top is latched. That way, you can put your hand out the window and pull down on the top with one hand and latch with the other.

I can get one side latched from inside the car, but never the other side. It is out of alignment and must be pushed down and in from outside the car.

[ga.spyder]

I have exactly the same problem with mine.I have never tried it from inside the car,but I dont think I could do it.I never have driven in the rain ,so its not much of an issue.Pope has great advise ,but does have a problem w/ fleas.As a vet ,could you prescribe something for him?
Craig

[msrmd]

Have to agree with Pope on this one. Even a short red light is long enough.

Getting the boot off takes longer than putting the top up, but can be done quickly if the front hooks are popped up and a whiplike motion is used to get it off the back cleats (all done from the driver's seat with right hand). I then pull the top up with my right arm, pull down on the handle with left hand,and latch the passenger side with right hand. The drivers side can then be pulled down with left hand from the outside, aligning the latch which is then closed with the right hand. Roll the passenger window up, and by this time the light is turning green. I roll the driver's window up as I am driving off.

I understand that later models seatbacks were not as sturdy as the skinny bumper models I have owned. Be careful when leaning back to pull top, so as not to put too much pressure on the seat back.

Bottom line: I don't drive the Spiders in the rain and only do this when the unexpected shower pops up.

[rlux4]

I don't have any facts to back me up, just a gut feeling, but I put mine up for a day or two every week or so. I just feel that it helps it from shrinking or having "memory" of the folded position. Not very scientific, I know, but it does go up and latch pretty easily. I don't know if I'd do the same with a cloth top though.
Ron

[mdrburchette]

Believe it or not, but I used to be able to pull the top up from the driver's seat on my 68 model but I can't do it on my 71 or 72. I also have a time getting the latches aligned and secured. It must be because of the aftermarket top being tighter and maybe not installed perfectly.

[TulsaSpider]

I seem to have the same issue as most on here. When I got it the old top wasn't too bad but it did have a couple of holes etc.. I could put that up and secure it in just about 60 seconds. I put a new top on last month and it's completely different. I guess it's just too tight. However it makes no noise!! It's a struggle to say the least. I need to put a new handle on my bow I think that would help by providing some downforce! Now if it is warm and the top has already been up a day or two and I put it down it goes back up smoooth as butter! So I'd say it's just about right and will probably improve with time.

[kristoj]

I hardly ever put the top up. But when I do, I have the same issue -- I can get one side latched from inside the car, but never the other side. It is extremely difficult to line up the second latch after the first one is secured. I too have to push down and over from outside the car. The trend here seems to be it is more difficult for folks that rarely have the top up.

[launieg]

I too have this problem. I always worry about snapping the catches or bending the windshield.

Mine is definitely an aftermarket top, and my theory is that it was manufactured a bit small and possibly installed carelessly. All the adjustments have reached their furthest travel, and IMO a good top should install with all the adjustments in the "middle".

I'm going to take mine all apart, and I'm determined to find a way to make it fit better. We get too much rain here for this to be a problem all the time.

[ventura ace]

K9 Dr.,
Has the windshield frame or front bow ever been replaced on this car? There is a slightly different spacing of the latches for the models before and after year '78. If you have a mix of early and late parts, this could make it just about impossible to latch. I think the dimensional difference is only about 1/4", but it's enough to be a problem. This would be a side-to-side alignment problem, possibly repairable by elongating the holes in one set of latches, but the correct repair would be to use matching parts.

On the other hand, if it's just super tight front-to-back, and you have loosened up every possible adjustment, then it is likely just a poor fitting top, like mine (canvas top from Caribou). I like a tight fitting top, but within reason -- the one I've got is way too tight. Like others that have posted here, I'm expecting that one day my windshield may crack from the extreme force required to close my top. My windshield actually get's pulled backward about 1" at the top of the frame when I latch the top, and it tweaks the unibody enough to make a difference in the way the doors close! I should probably replace the top, and I'll kick myself in the butt one day when something finally breaks, but for now, I just live with it -- I hardly every put the top up, anyways. If I had to use the top a lot, I'd probably change it.

Alvon