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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Converting power convertible top to manual

  • Thread starter Thread starter boston9
  • Start date Start date May 16, 2011
B

boston9

New Member
May 14, 2011
13
0
0
May 16, 2011
#1
  • May 16, 2011
  • #1
The top motor went on my 92 GT. I live in NC and so I would like to use the top but moving it manually, the few times I did it to get it back up was extremely difficult. Is there anyway to convert it to a manual top and how easy/hard would it be to open manually? Thanks.
 

Mr. Rustypwnz

Advanced Member
Jun 1, 2005
1,761
63
69
indianapolis/ valdosta ga
May 17, 2011
#2
  • May 17, 2011
  • #2
take the pump, lines and cylinders out, and it will move really easy..
 

aar0s

Founding Member
Dec 20, 1998
1,015
55
69
May 17, 2011
#3
  • May 17, 2011
  • #3
Mine had two hitch pins that connected the rams to the top frame, put the top up (so i can get to the rams) pull the pins and then pull the switch (a couple of times cause it was out of fluid) and the rams went back down and out of the way, manual top in 10 min.
I left the parts in because i intend to replace and fix them in the future, be easier to do when I can see where everything goes with out trying to remember what i did 10 years ago.
 
B

boston9

New Member
May 14, 2011
13
0
0
May 17, 2011
#4
  • May 17, 2011
  • #4
aar0s said:
Mine had two hitch pins that connected the rams to the top frame, put the top up (so i can get to the rams) pull the pins and then pull the switch (a couple of times cause it was out of fluid) and the rams went back down and out of the way, manual top in 10 min.
I left the parts in because i intend to replace and fix them in the future, be easier to do when I can see where everything goes with out trying to remember what i did 10 years ago.
Click to expand...


does it move easily to the point where I would be able to move it by myself? i'm an offensive lineman for an ACC school so I'm a big guy but moving it with a dead motor and all the fluid in sucks. and i hope to sell the car soon, but I'm assuming those rams are just on the side?
 

90limited

Founding Member
Apr 13, 2002
276
3
18
Port Charlotte FL
May 18, 2011
#5
  • May 18, 2011
  • #5
If you want to sell it soon, I would replace the pump. I got one off e-bay for $58 and it is very easy to install.
 
B

boston9

New Member
May 14, 2011
13
0
0
May 18, 2011
#6
  • May 18, 2011
  • #6
90limited said:
If you want to sell it soon, I would replace the pump. I got one off e-bay for $58 and it is very easy to install.
Click to expand...

the back seat is already off waiting for a new one, and i'm not selling it until the end of the year...soon was probably the wrong word to use.
 

aar0s

Founding Member
Dec 20, 1998
1,015
55
69
May 18, 2011
#7
  • May 18, 2011
  • #7
boston9 said:
does it move easily to the point where I would be able to move it by myself? i'm an offensive lineman for an ACC school so I'm a big guy but moving it with a dead motor and all the fluid in sucks. and i hope to sell the car soon, but I'm assuming those rams are just on the side?
Click to expand...

Your probably a lot stronger than i am, I work for a lumber yard and toss 90 pound bundles of shingles or pack drywall most of the day, and I can put the top down manually and never leave the drivers seat. I try not to let it slam down though and when i put it up i lift from the center of the header.
 
B

boston9

New Member
May 14, 2011
13
0
0
May 18, 2011
#8
  • May 18, 2011
  • #8
aar0s said:
Your probably a lot stronger than i am, I work for a lumber yard and toss 90 pound bundles of shingles or pack drywall most of the day, and I can put the top down manually and never leave the drivers seat. I try not to let it slam down though and when i put it up i lift from the center of the header.
Click to expand...

did it earlier, it's simple. definitely better with the pistons retracted. thanks alot guys!
 
B

Brandon Duncan

New Member
Oct 8, 2014
2
0
1
Oct 8, 2014
#9
  • Oct 8, 2014
  • #9
aar0s said:
Mine had two hitch pins that connected the rams to the top frame, put the top up (so i can get to the rams) pull the pins and then pull the switch (a couple of times cause it was out of fluid) and the rams went back down and out of the way, manual top in 10 min.
I left the parts in because i intend to replace and fix them in the future, be easier to do when I can see where everything goes with out trying to remember what i did 10 years ago.
Click to expand...

Can you give me a little more detail on removing the latch pins?
 

aar0s

Founding Member
Dec 20, 1998
1,015
55
69
Oct 11, 2014
#10
  • Oct 11, 2014
  • #10
On mine the point where it looked like the frame should have been bolted to the rams were instead connected with what I call hitch pins, like what you would use to keep a trailer hitch in the down position on a receiver ball. Pretty simple to remove. Yours might still be bolted or however the factory fastened them. Not really sure how I can give more detail, look next to the rear seat with the top up and you should see the point I'm talking about.
 

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