posted 04-19-2007 06:00 AM                  

I'm thrilled that I started something that may come to fruition.

At that price (for NEW SS), count me in for a set.

A couple of technical questions:

1. With the hex where it is, have you checked that you can get an open-end wrench on it? The other long design moved the hex away from the catch, presumably accessible from above the deck.

2. Manufacturing-wise, it looks like you're starting with rodstock and milling the hex - isn't it easier (faster/cheaper) to start with hex and eliminate a whole milling operation? (possibly related to #1, the hex would HAVE to move to prevent rubbing the receiver).

3. BIG CONCERN - conversion to nylon washers. In all other designs, a T-nut is used. The T-nut establishes a right-angle relationship with the mounting surface and bridges the wide adjustment hole. A nut welded to the T-nut further establishes the right-angle, but it's probably not necessary if you can get a couple of wrenches on it. I don't believe the flexibility of the nylon (or rubber insert) is a good thing - it will allow movement between the top and the trunk lid. Also, will the nylon washer be pressed into the adjustment hole? (my memory, from a couple of years ago, is that the hole is bigger than the nut that you show). Not a big deal since we can reuse parts from the original assembly, if we want.

Just some thoughts for the FINE-tuning.

Thanks for doing this.

-GRROWL

posted 04-19-2007 10:10 AM                  

I'm using my brother's business to have these made
http://www.pssinconline.com/index.htm

Don

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posted 04-19-2007 01:28 PM                  

With all of us having the same problems it is hard to believe that it took a posting of the TGF email responses and their lack of concern to pull us together as a group and for someone with the courage to create a fix for us. Thank you, thank you, thank you............

We should be holding every vendor accountable with the "mind-set" that they are retailers not friends. I am seeing more of that attitude lately but I believe a couple of vendors are being given much too much latitude and we are being taken advantage of.

posted 04-19-2007 02:05 PM                  

I too thought the cost was out of line to replace
a part on the hardtop that had a design problem

Has when I designed the Dragon Panels a few years ago,
my hope is to design and have made a replacement part
that will fix the problem were all having, at a reasonable
price

posted 04-19-2007 03:58 PM                  

quote:

---

Originally posted by Northern Cat:
Please see the revised drawing....I redrew it to better show
what we hope to make.. When we get some proto-types
done... I'm going to send them out to be tested on a few hardtops

Don

---

Thanks, Don,

That satisfies all of my concerns on the machining.

I'm obviously a volunteer for the prototypes. Suggest you also test flat neoprene washers under the steel washers - we may need the extra lateral adjustment which could be limited by the shoulders on the neoprene washers shown.

Thanks again for taking this on.

-GRROWL

posted 04-19-2007 05:16 PM                  

Thanks again for taking this on.

GRROWL..Because the hardtop has slotted opening to allow
lateral adjustment I was thinking of a slotted
neoprene washer that would fit into the slot of the hardtop and still give some flex to the rigid hardtop

Here's a pic to give you a rough idea about what I mean

I'll keep you in mind for the prototypes

Don

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posted 04-19-2007 05:33 PM                  

quote:

---

Originally posted by Northern Cat:
I'm obviously a volunteer for the prototypes. Suggest you also test flat neoprene washers under the steel washers - we may need the extra lateral adjustment which could be limited by the shoulders on the neoprene washers shown.

Thanks again for taking this on.

GRROWL..Because the hardtop has slotted opening to allow
lateral adjustment I was thinking of a slotted
neoprene washer that would fit into the slot of the hardtop and still give some flex to the rigid hardtop

Here's a pic to give you a rough idea about what I mean

I'll keep you in mind for the prototypes

Don

---

That works. If more adjustment is needed, it looks easily trimmable.

-GRROWL

posted 04-20-2007 10:00 AM                  

Don

posted 04-20-2007 06:15 PM                  

5 prototypes are being being for testing

1buddyc 2sets
ed monahan 1 set
RPL 2 sets
KATBIRD 1 set
WE PROWL 1 set
tom112 1 set
Matt Murphy 1 set
galaxie 1 set
Tom Gulyas 1 set
GRROWL 1 set
marks2000 1 set
roadster 1 set
pocotoo 1 set
blackcat 1 set
BradleyG 1 set
SuperKat 2 sets

TOTAL 19 sets

Don

posted 04-20-2007 08:22 PM                  

Yep..

Don

posted 04-21-2007 09:33 AM                  

5 prototypes are being being for testing

1buddyc 2sets
ed monahan 1 set
RPL 2 sets
KATBIRD 1 set
WE PROWL 1 set
tom112 1 set
Matt Murphy 1 set
galaxie 1 set
Tom Gulyas 1 set
GRROWL 1 set
marks2000 1 set
roadster 1 set
pocotoo 1 set
blackcat 1 set
BradleyG 1 set
SuperKat 2 sets
Jim R. 1 set
Ed W. 1 set

TOTAL 21 sets

Don

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posted 04-21-2007 05:39 PM                  

Don

P.S.. I would rather you guys get your pins up front and pay for them after you receive them..Cash or money order works for me..I don't believe in cash up front in this case
and if I paid the shipping..there goes my profit..smile

Hand Delivery in TULSA by my EXCLUSIVE Midwest USA distributor

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posted 04-22-2007 12:51 PM                  

5 prototypes are being being for testing

1buddyc 2sets
ed monahan 1 set
RPL 2 sets
KATBIRD 1 set
WE PROWL 1 set
tom112 1 set
Matt Murphy 1 set
galaxie 1 set
Tom Gulyas 1 set
GRROWL 1 set
marks2000 1 set
roadster 1 set
pocotoo 1 set
blackcat 1 set
BradleyG 1 set
SuperKat 2 sets
Jim R. 1 set
Ed W. 1 set
Rbadkat 1 set

TOTAL 22 sets

Don

P.S. how many of you are going to Tulsa or if you know someone who is and can pickup the pins for you...this will keep your costs down..