Folks with 03/04 factory tops, do you notice this?...

[Chuck W.]

Thanks for starting this thread Boxaboy. I have a 2003 top on my '01. My top looks pretty good and I would like to keep it that way. I just removed those two pieces. I keep the top down 99 per cent of the time. We'll see if not having them mounted causes any issues.

[Boxtaboy]

Cool to hear that the top goes down easier. I really never had any problems with the top going down though, and never had to adjust the glass. How did you guys remove the tabs without dropping the tab or the torx screw down below the top? With my luck, it falls down, and I won't be able to find it. LOL. The only thing I can think of that those tabs are for, are to help keep the top ribs from banging against each other when driving (up and down motion) or side to side movement when cornering. You guys that have removed them, please let us know if you end up seeing any metal to metal marks on the rib that has the tab removed or if the top seems like it has play when in the down position. I'm thinking the best solution is to remove the tabs and then cut off the part that sticks out (sanding it smooth), and then reinstalling.

EDIT: A good pal of mine, Maurice (1schoir) who is very knowledgeable about these tops has told me he'll look into it more and let me know, but he recalls that the tabs are there to prevent something from moving behind the rib. Maybe something might inadvertently be caught behind it, catch, and then block the top from going back up? Who knows. Keeping the tab there for now till there's a definitive answer on what those things are for. Can't be there for no reason (besides putting a hole thru the top).

Originally Posted by Fintro11

I tried the top manually without those two parts. The top went down way better without them so I reattached the rods. The top goes down way better but the glass still does not want to fold down properly all the time

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

Thanks for starting this thread Boxaboy. I have a 2003 top on my '01. My top looks pretty good and I would like to keep it that way. I just removed those two pieces. I keep the top down 99 per cent of the time. We'll see if not having them mounted causes any issues.

[paulofto]

Originally Posted by Boxtaboy

How did you guys remove the tabs without dropping the tab or the torx screw down below the top? With my luck, it falls down, and I won't be able to find it. LOL.

I don't recall having a problem getting the screw or the tabs out.

[Oldcarguy]

Just checked mine. No bumps on the exterior or scuffing on the interior related to the tabs. With the top up, the tabs are not near the fabric on either side. I'll snap some pics when I get a chance. I do have some external scuffing on the top, but not related to this issue.

[Boxtaboy]

Originally Posted by Oldcarguy

Just checked mine. No bumps on the exterior or scuffing on the interior related to the tabs. With the top up, the tabs are not near the fabric on either side. I'll snap some pics when I get a chance. I do have some external scuffing on the top, but not related to this issue.

The bumps on my top disappear after a few hours. The tabs also are not close to the fabric when open, but for some reason, right after I put the top back up after having it down, those bumps appear. Try putting your top down for a few minutes and then up, and see if the bumps are there.

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by Boxtaboy

The bumps on my top disappear after a few hours. The tabs also are not close to the fabric when open, but for some reason, right after I put the top back up after having it down, those bumps appear. Try putting your top down for a few minutes and then up, and see if the bumps are there.

I'll check it out. Probably will but some Gorilla tape in just to be safe.