I think the actual top is different in terms of the way it folds and such to give it a lower stack height.
Not sure of the actual hard mount pounts and hydraulic system is different though. I know you can't put a 1993 canvas on a 1987 frame...but not sure about the entire system
I bought a complete top/frame assembly from a wrecked '91 and installed it on my project '87. Fit perfectly so, yes I believe it'll work. Here's a pic for ya:
Simple answer is Yes, we put a 93 on my 89, basically 3 bolts on each side. they attach the large bracket to the car framing and the bolt that goes through the bracket securing the rams.... 2 people an hour.... you can leave all the hydraulics in place. hardest part is aligning the rams back to the holes, Best trick we had was move the frame to the ram...then bolt it all up
Everything just bolts right up
Looks way better - no stupid tack strip above the rear window popping loose, no having to stop to fold the top on the way down, better profile
Almost done with the swap. So far this has been kinda the job from hell.
Everything swapped over, but took forever to get aligned, turned out the bracket on the side was upside down. But it all bolted up Got it working . The fabric came loose of the rear window, so I had to glue that and leave it to dry while I work. But once that's in I'll be basicly done.
Didn't realize the new top didn't have weather stripping, so I'll transfer mine over and probably have to replace it soon.
Minus the above aggravations, the main issue is the top seems to pull slightly to the drivers side. Not sure how to fix that
Lol, we did the same thing, the 93 bracket rotated when we lifted it in and had to lift it up again to rotate, after of course we saw it. Not sure on the opening scenario. Ill look in the top manual and see if it says anything...
I have noticed when I hit the open switch it helps to give the front rail a little lift to get it in motion. I think the front/windshield rail is heavier on the newer frame. BUT NO MORE HAVING TO STOP AND FOLD THE DARN TOP!!!!
Congrats on getting it done!! so you used the top that came with the frame?
I looked in the booklet, nothing about retracting "crooked" allot on frame alignment, proper adjustments for the vinyl, windows, etc, but not having one side lift faster or off from the other.
Ok, the top and window are now completely bolted in. It goes up and down just fine. And once it was tightened the crookedness almost completely vanished.
So all that's left is installing the interior parts, the style bar and cleaning up.
Not as easy as I hopped but now that it's about done it don't seem as bad.
Hey get the booklet from LMR I linked, its like $25 and has stuff in it about fine tuning the vinyl for taughtness, something about the cables and springs I think