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galaxie	What is the differance between the original hardtop & the 2nd. generation ones? Is one better than the other?
ALLEY CAT	new and improved,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Feral	As I understand it, the Gen 2 hardtops have a much improved seal system at the point where the windows meet the roof. In the first design, there were just rubber strips glued along the edge of the hardtop and they tended to fall off a lot. People were complaining that they had to keep re-gluing them on. The Gen 2 have molded rubber seals with a clip system that holds them in place. You can do a search on the archives under Gen 2 Hardtop to get the full picture, but here's what Norb Schroll of TGF Metalcrafters had to say back in January of 2002: quote: Sorry everyone, I've been away over the weekend and have not been near a computer. First thing to Ben, Yes, I admit we did have issues with getting the next generation hardtop redesigned and delivered. It took us 10 months to work on it. Second, If your top was damaged, I never heard from you about it or I would have replaced it or refunded you your money. The reason why I billed your credit card was you had placed an order for one and never cancelled that order. I did have other customers cancel because of this delay. I haven't heard from you since the top was delivered! If you have issues, call me instead of me reading about them here first. You must like the hardtop or I'm sure I would have heard from you within the last 6 months. We know that the first generation hardtops have some design issues with the door window seals. Gluing them in was not the ideal design. I have tried to correct every problem that has been known to me. I did not know that any of these current issues were happening with you all. Please call me directly at (800) 518-4364 and we can come to some sort of solution. We haven't designed a retro seal kit for the first generation top to help with issues yet. But I'm sure I can talk with my engineers to check it out. The second generation hardtop has the factory seal retainers, which are adjustable, in the door window seal area. The window seals themselves are manufactured by the OEM seal company that produces the 3-piece seal for the convertible top. We just have them produce it for us in one piece. These seal retainers are screwed in place and then the seals are pressed in by hand. If these are not fitting correctly, THEY CAN BE ADJUSTED! The only seal we do not use off the convertible top is the seal that rides on the underside of the hardtop along the deck lid. The factory seal is not beefy enough for the 38 pound weight of our hardtop. We have chosen a D-shape seal from Trim-Lok that may settle over time and the rear pins of the hardtop may loosen up. Again, THESE CAN BE ADJUSTED! There is not a part on this second generation hardtop that cannot be adjusted. These Prowlers have a build tolerance greater than you average production based vehicle. I have every hardtop fit to our Prowler, not some jig sitting on a bench in the shop, but an actual Prowler before they are packaged and sent to you. As the installation instructions included with every hardtop suggest, "THERE MAY BE SOME ADJUSTMENTS REQUIRED TO INSURE A PROPER FIT". These Prowlers are also a convertible based vehicle with a lot of body flex. When installing our hardtop, please do not think that this will cure this body flex. Because of this body flex, at some point the hardtop may need to be readjusted for a tight fit. I can't stress enough that if any customer of mine that has issues with any of our products, PLEASE CALL ME! I cannot help you if you do not make me aware of them. Current production is on schedule for anyone concerned with your orders. I have sold over 75 of the second generation hardtops in the last 6 months since it's debut. I am here to help! ------------------ Metalcrafters Automotive Enhancements www.metalcrafters.com / nschroll@metalcrafters.com Toll Free: (800) 518-4364 '99 Silver with "HOWLRR" vanity plate This message has been edited by Feral on 09-02-2006 at 02:31 PM
jmg3637	how much do the hardtops weigh? Are they difficult to put on? or can one person manage alone? Sure sounds like the 2nd generation is the only way to go
ed monahan	One person can do it but it is not really all that easy to do alone. Two people make it very simple. They only weigh about 20-25 lbs, I would guess, not very heavy at all. To be able to put it on yourself requires somewhat of a balancing act. It is a little too bulky to hold from one side and put it on. It can be done but it is not easy. Gen 1 has the silver insert above the window, the Gen 2 does not.
blackcat	The factory seal is not beefy enough for the 38 pound weight of our hardtop. But as Ed said you can put it on with one person if you're 6 foot + with long arms.
galaxie	Thanks for all the info on the hardtop. I just returned from a 500mi. trip to purchase one. I met Dave 1/2 way between New Jersy & Cleveland. I now have an orange lid for the kat. Will put it on, now that the fall weather is here. Should work fine for Tall Stacks in a few weeks. Thanks again Dave for meeting me today. This Prowler group is really a bunch of nice people. Will post some pics of the kat with it's new hat.
the alchemist	Hello Everyone, We have a series one hardtop and have the problem with the door rubbers not staying stuck. Has anyone successfully fitted the improved door rubbers and the channels from the series two into the series one hardtop? Are these parts available from TGF? This message has been edited by the alchemist on 05-16-2011 at 01:30 PM
vic4yachts	Once again you guys help me in less than a day. What a group! Thanks again!