Vert blew a hydraulic shock for the top...opportunity to lose weight?

[Pokageek]

The other day I went to put my top back up and pressed the button. Nothing went up and hydraulic fluid shooting out. Rather than pay to repair it, I figure maybe I'll take those hydraulics out altogether AND the motor to lose weight. Anybody else do this? Any drawbacks or problems if removed? I mean, other than lift the top up and down, do the hydraulics do anything like hold the top in place or something? Thx.

 

[CManT1914]

They shouldn't hold it in place. Once the top is latched to the windshield frame then that's what holds it in place. I don't see anything wrong with losing the motor and stuff. Then you could make the trunk accessible from the inside too. That'd be pimp.

 

[94-302-vert]

I would suggest jsut disconnecting the mechanism for now before uninstalling the pump and good cylinder as it may be too much of a hassle if you use the top a lot to be worth the benfits.

 

[donjohn]

They shouldn't hold it in place. Once the top is latched to the windshield frame then that's what holds it in place. I don't see anything wrong with losing the motor and stuff. Then you could make the trunk accessible from the inside too. That'd be pimp.

hmm, sounds familiar... dunno if i'd call my car pimp though

i thought about taking out the pump and making it manual, but then when the top is down (in the folded position) then it might like come up w/ the wind... dunno though

 

[Pokageek]

I am going to pull it. I don't use the top that much anyway. I'll report back on the weight savings. Had a few cars with manual top b4. Didn't bother me then either.

"i thought about taking out the pump and making it manual, but then when the top is down (in the folded position) then it might like come up w/ the wind... dunno though"

Maybe if I was goin backwards!

 

[donjohn]

seriously though, doesn't the pump hold the top down, if the wind were to catch it.. it'd be like an unbrella in a blizzard. unless you had a boot cover.

 

[Pokageek]

Good question donjohn. Maybe I will get a boot for insurance.

 

[Pokageek]

First answer. The top doesn't go anywhere in the wind. Second- Pulled the motor, baracket, and both shocks. Totals 13pounds and the top is a piece of cake to put up myself. No complaints. Now the vert back seats were 30#. I would like to take those out but the leather seats look so good I am going to leave them in. A/C delete next though.

 

[DougNuts]

Good to know, thanks for reporting back!!