posted 03-20-2007 09:26 AM                  

I'm obviously going to be in the minority on this issue but just because something gets better later on does not entitle one to get a free upgrade. Did we get new shocks when DC changed back to Koni's? Did we get new front plastic latching clips for the top when they changed from the cheap gray clips to the better black clips? NO. ( I could go on and on here but you get the point)

I believe the pin issue has been around for quite awhile and anyone ordering should have known about that issue.

I have several items from TGF and do they fit perfectly? No. Welcome to the world of custom accessories. If something is not to ones liking they have the option of returning it or selling it. I don't think most people lose money when selling a hardtop. Nor do I see many selling them because of the minor issues with them. They enjoy them enough to resolve the issues themselves or just deal with it.

As far as threatening legal action, you just admitted on a public forum that you are aware of possible safety issues but are choosing to use the product anyway. Any manufacturer would just use that against you in any litigation. The manufacturer is offering a solution, just not the one you want. It's your choice to accept it or not but hopefully you get it resolved.

posted 03-20-2007 11:31 AM                  

Sorry but I don't agree with any of your opinions MDPROWLER

posted 03-21-2007 04:55 PM                  

Thank you all for your input,

posted 03-24-2007 12:44 AM                  

I begin back in December of 2002 I took delivery of my first ever hard top and installed it on the SUNKIST cat after adjusting as instructed by TGF I was driving 48 miles each way to work everyday and it very soon became a daily thing to adjust the top because it would loosen up so much in the mirror I could see the whole third light on a freeway bump.

I dreamt up a way to modify the pins to lock them in place and that was the end of my problem well within a month or two Scott Curtis called for info on what I had done so I explained to him the process I used and he came up with his new improved pin the cost of them is high because someone has to machine them out on a couple of different laths and a broach so comes the $125.00 cost of his and TGF mine were not very fancy and a pain in the a$$ to modify if your not real apt at doing mechanical things but only cost about $1.50 each.

And so that is the true story of the long pin, the short pin TGF never made for the hard top it is a Chrysler part for the soft top as I was lead to belive.

have a nice day
and God Bless you

block-buster

posted 03-24-2007 11:23 AM                  

I am SO freaking glad you stood your ground with TGF!!! I bought my hardtop back in 2005 from TGF and it gave me nothing but grief. SO much, that I decided to sell the damn thing back in 2006. I think, NO, I know that TGF did a poor freaking design with the hardtop pins not staying affixed PROPERLY. I would have to adjust my hardtop everything single time I got back home from a cruise, HELL, sometimes I had to take a freaking wrench with me so that we it got loose I could just TRY to adjust it as needed until I could get home and take the damn thing off for another readjustment. Many of the POA members tried to help me when possible but the pins and nuts becoming loose from every single cruise just P-I-S-S-E-D me off because I paid a lot of money for something that did not work as I expected. YOU should get YOUR set of pins free at charge and should NOT have to pay the freaking $125 TGF is pissing about. I also spoke to Catherine back in 2006 about my on-going issue, she mentioned by phone that TGF was going to mail me a set of the larger pins "FREE of CHARGE," but guess?????? I NEVER GOT THE DAMN THINGS SO I SOLD THE FREAKING TOP JUST SO THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE TO KEEP ON DEALING WITH THE FACT THAT EVERY TIME I NEEDED TO ADJUST THE PINS ONE MORE TIME!!!

Sorry I seem to bitter about this issue, but many POA that I spoke to about this during one of the cruises knew how upset I was so have spent that kind of money and get no support from the manufacturer.

The top indeed makes the car look outstanding, and every car that I have seem with one on makes you to take another look at it but what's the use if it doesn't work, rattles, and could possibly ruin a very expensive trunk lid should this hardtop happen to come off?

posted 03-30-2007 03:00 AM                  

does the hardtop work well with the new longer pins or there are some issues still. Thanx.

posted 03-30-2007 08:15 AM                  

However, if we want to solve the problem at a reasonable price, I see at least 3 possible easy ways:

1. Has anyone talked to Art Stoner? Looking at his J-hooks with the precision weld, it should be an easy matter for him to modify the pins by cutting off the threaded portion and welding on a longer threaded piece (and adding a nut as well if a hex-section is desired). I would think this would be equal (or even less expensive) than the J-hooks since there's no custom pices.

2. Lacking the above, when mine finally goes, I just go down to Home Depot, but a couple of hex threaded-rod couplers (or maybe one, cutting it in half) and extend the threaded rod using permanent Loctite.

3. If someone has a spare set of original pins that they want to donate to the cause, send them to me (PM me for address) and I'll take a look at doing #2 and post the process for the public domain. I might even be bribed ($50-bucks?) into doing this as a service on an exchange basis.

Yes, I agree that TGF should step up and resolve their problem. No, I don't believe it's worth this much complaining when there should be a simple solution if we want it.

-GRROWL

posted 03-30-2007 09:52 AM                  

could you let me know how the longer pins workout once you recieve them.

Also, i know that a group recently recieved their hardtop which had the longer pins, so i would like to get their feed back too. i am planning to order few hardtops for over seas but i dont want to run in technical problems. So any feed back from the recently purchased group will be appreciated. Thanx All.

posted 03-31-2007 11:23 PM                  

See the above picture posted by Ed, Weld a nut on the flat top of the stock surface of the original pin set up toss the nylon washers, place a lock washer above the bottom nut under flat washer, install second nut for a jamb when done lighting, when done tithing with a 1/2 open end in the hole and turn the lower nut to pull the top tight and lock in position by lighting the bottom nut to the jamb nut. Your done.