New top help

[donm]

Help! Yesterday I started working on installing my new vinyl top from IAC and I just can not get the top to close. It's about 1-2 inches from the windshield latches. Nothing is glued down yet and I've been following the directions in the manual and made all the proper adjustments but the top just seems to small-- but that can't be possible, can it?

I'm thinking the top has to strech a bit and right now I've got a heat lamp going trying to help it relax but the gap seems too much. What am I doing wrong? I don't want to crack the windshield or rip the top. Any advice would be welcomed!

[daved]

I had the same problem several years ago when installing a new top in a unheated garage. Closed the top as much as a could and left in overnight. The next day it easily closed all the way.

[narfire]

Your right in that heat/warm garage will help. Mine is a cloth top and it took a day with the top up then another with the latches conected but not closed and finally with my elbows pushing on the top got the latches to close. I was about an inch out to start. I still have the odd issue if it is cold out and I drive over a good bump,a latch sometimes pops. I've adjusted the rear bar as much as possible so I guess this is as good as it gets. 80% of the time its top down anyway.
Chris

[ylbill]

Hello, sorry I can't help you with your top, but I noticed you were from MA. I'm down in Attleboro, MA and just wanted to say ISN'T THIS CRAZY WEATHER! Hope your top works out for you. The person's answer who responded before me makes sense.

[boogiedude]

If at all possible, get it out in the sun to let it warm up. That'll let you stretch it closed much more easily. You could also loosen up the rear bow to lessen the tension in the top and close it. Let it sit like that for a few days and then tension the the rear bow properly and it should close up nicely

[donm]

Thanks for the advice, all. I finally got it to close with a heat lamp and 4 gallons of water. I'll explain. I have a garage but it's not heated so so I put a heat lamp in the car, pulled the roof closed as much as it would go without forcing it, and then I rested 4 gallon jugs of Poland Spring on the front bar and let it sit all day. That did it. I can't believe how much the top stretched but it closes fine now.