Two man top ?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Two man top ?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 12:52 pm:

Although I've had my 1915 touring for about a year now, getting it running and safe has been my primary focus.

Now its time to work on some of the details...like the top.

The first and most important question is can one man put up a touring top ?

If so, who has a good method, I sure don't !! (detailed instructions would be a godsend)

The picture below shows how I have the top in stored position - have I got this right ?

The pins I'm using cannot be correct but I can't find them listed in Lang's catalog.

Thanks in advance
schuh


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Wolf on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 01:38 pm:

No, unless you have long arms. A one man top is tough enough.
Richard


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Hjortnaes, Men Falls, WI on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 02:05 pm:

Yes. Most of the time you stand inside the car to do it. Not the most graceful way to put up a top, but it works. Take your time and watch the ends or you will scratch the paint.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Val Soupios on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 03:41 pm:

It can be done by sitting and standing in the rear seat. I stand the whole assembly up first by pivoting it on the rear irons. Next I move the two front sockets forward and attach to the front irons and inset the pins. The next step is to relocate the front socket which I usually do by climbing over the front seat while holding the top up. Last step is attaching the hold down straps to the windshield. The biggest problem is getting the sockets in the upright position without scratching the paint. As far as the pins are concerned they are available through Lang's or you can get large brass cotter pins from a marine supplier and use them to make up your own. On the early cars they should be attached to the sockets by a short leather strap which is screwed to the socket but I don't know about '15.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 04:16 pm:

Bud,

Shorter part first:

See Lang’s http://www.modeltford.com/item/3314LSB.aspx for one type of pin to hold the top bows in place. I looked for a clear photo of that on one of the early photographs but so far I have found one that shows it clearly. But you get the idea.

Longer part:

Yes, a single person (ok – not someone in their 90s (or even 40s for that matter) who is stiff and has a bad back can put the tow man top up and down. But for most of us – it would not be worth the effort – it is not like going for ice-cream etc. Also it helps to be a little bit short rather than 6 foot 6 inches or taller. And you have to be carful or you can easily scratch the paint, mare the upholstery or top. Not Val’s way can work just as well or maybe even better.

By the way – this is an excellent opportunity to get to know your neighbors better. Tell them you would like their help in putting the top up and that you will give them a ride afterwards (or before).



If you still want to do it by your self here are some suggestions that worked for me.

1. If paint and upholstery are a concern for you – have a couple of thick gym socks to place over the soon to be loose ends of the top bows.

2. Remover the hold down straps from both sides of the top – item #1

3. Open the rear door and step into the rear seat area facing towards the back. (be sure there is plenty of head room for your head as well as the top you want to put up.)

4. Remove the pins (item #2) from both sides of the car. After removing the pin pull the lower top iron in enough so it will become free/loose. Place a thick sock over that free end if you are concerned about paint / upholstery. Remember to do the same for both sides. Keep the pins you removed handy – you will need them in the next step.

5. Work that set of top bows leaving the top mostly down – evenly towards the front seat area where they insert again into the front top iron that sticks out from the right and front arm rest. From memory (it has been a long time since I did this) you should be able to remove the sock and insert the pivot into the seat rest arm and pin it while you are still in the back seat (not facing forward). If not then get it as close as you can and then either step over the back of the front seat into the front compartment or open the rear door and wiggle out under the top bows.

6. You are not in the front seat and the part #2 is pinned to the body iron sticking out of the front seat arm rest. Now remove the pin from # 3 on both sides and move it equally on both sides. Insert at #4 and replace the pin.

7. Now standing on the front floorboards or kneeling on the front seat cushion, pull the top bow that fits over the windshield forward. That will pull the rest of the top up. Go slow. If anything binds – fix that. If it is a really old top – it may not be flexible enough to put up. In that case leave it alone to begin with and put a top boot on it and it will look just fine. As you pull it forward – turn around (keep pressure on the top or it will fold back down).

8. Attach the front top bow straps to the loop on the windshield. Again if the top has shrunk over time – don’t break the windshield and/or top trying to make it fit. Photo below of the 1917 Rip Van Winkle car in Bruce’s CD used by permission and available from Barbara see: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/257047/303050.html )



9. Originally you would have some adjustment on the front straps to make everything look and function properly. You want the vertical top irons perpendicular to the cars frame and on level ground perpendicular to the ground.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By HARRY A DAW on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 04:44 pm:

Bud, I am 69 and have an extremely bad knee after a very bad infection following arthroscopic surgery in March of 2011. It is scheduled for total replacement Dec. 4th. Yes it is possible to put a two man top up or down by one's self if you follow what has been posted here. Out of necessity I have had to do it on my 1911. Be patient, use your head, and most of all, try to find someone to help you because it is difficult.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 06:12 pm:

Bud -- Yes, it can be done, following the instructions above. I've done it lots of times with my '15 Touring. Yes, it is difficult at best and probably will result in some scratched paint and/or torn top material. Not every time, but sometimes.

As suggested above, ask someone to help you, even a total stranger, be it man, woman, or child. I've never asked anyone who refused, and all of them enjoyed the experience of helping with it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sam "POPS" Humphries on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 06:33 pm:

I take the left side front strap loose. Attach a long bungie cord from the rear vertical iron (near the top) to the bracket that the front strap was connected to.

I then lower the irons on the front vertical to the lower position. Sitting in the rear seat I remove the pins on the front vertical, securely grap the irons and move them to the appropriate hole on the rear verticals.
After reinstalling the clips, I remove the bungie and lower the irons into the brackets and secure with straps.

Works well in reverse, putting the top up.
The bungie helps 73 year old do it alone.

Sometimes the lady of the house helps but mostly it is just me.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Neil Kaminar on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 07:29 pm:

Bud,

Correct pins are here: http://www.modeltford.com/item/3314CSB.aspx

They are held on by little leather straps. You can get the pins with the straps here: http://www.modeltford.com/item/3437X.aspx

Neil


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 08:28 pm:

Thank you all for the time you took to explain a difficult operation. It is much appreciated.

Hap, your replies are always so clear and detailed, you need to think about writing a book!

Harry, hope you recover from that knee surgery quickly.... driving a T with one leg has got to be a challenge.

If I am successful using y'alls methods, I'll take step by step pictures and post them.

Cheers
schuh

PS Pins on order


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mike_black on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 09:04 pm:

Hi Bud,
With your wife helping you, it's easy. The hard part for me is remembering to put it down before driving into the trailer. I almost did it again when we were leaving the show when I met you and your wife. My wife got my attention with a scream about 6 inches from impact! I arrived at Hershey today, if you need me to look for anything for you send me a text or email or call my cell phone.

Mike


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andrew Deckman, Ogden Utah on Monday, October 08, 2012 - 07:39 pm:

monkey and footballs. nuff said.


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