Questions on hardtop and softtop for Elise - LotusTalk

TCL · 07-07-2009, 12:32 PM

Hello, I just got a 06 elise, and it come with a hardtop and soft top. But It is topless when I get it and I have no idea how to put either hard top or the soft top on.

how many screws are for the hardtop/ softtop install on the car?

Does anyone have a manual for each installation?

Thanks a lot.

waydui · 07-07-2009, 01:01 PM

Hi TCL,
Congrats on the new car.

I have a 2005 Elise with soft and hard tops. Installation is the same for both years.

Here are the pages from the Service Manual on how to install each type of roof. No screws for the soft top. Very easy to put on.

Good Luck!

Regards,
Wayne

TCL · 07-07-2009, 01:08 PM

this is super awesome...THANKS A LOT!

what top do u use most often?

waydui · 07-07-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCL

this is super awesome...THANKS A LOT!

what top do u use most often?

You're welcome, hope it helps.

Actually, I rarely use either top. I haven't had the hard top on in almost 2 years! I like the top off for almost all my driving.

Here in Ohio, I don't drive in the winter, so it's pretty much a Spring, Summer, Fall, nice weather car!

Regards,
Wayne

mikester · 07-07-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCL

Hello, I just got a 06 elise, and it come with a hardtop and soft top. But It is topless when I get it and I have no idea how to put either hard top or the soft top on.

how many screws are for the hardtop/ softtop install on the car?

Does anyone have a manual for each installation?

Thanks a lot.

Congrats on your car !

It sounds like you haven't seen / read the owners manual ? The car should have come with the manual, and it's a really good idea for you to read it because it contains lots of good information about your car. Hopefully you can get it from whoever sold you your car.

milehitom · 07-07-2009, 01:31 PM

TCL,

Congrats on the car and welcome! I use my soft top every day spring through fall, since my '05 is a daily driver and when it's parked, I like to have the top on to avoid damage from unexpected showers. In the winter, the hard top goes on. If you follow the soft top installation and removal instructions, your top should last a long time. Mine is 4 years old and looks as good as new.

Tom

TCL · 07-07-2009, 02:11 PM

I got the car without a owner manual, is there a electronic one for owner manual and repair manual?

The worst case is I got the car without the top on. Now I think of it, I afraid that they do not all the parts and screw I need for soft and hardtop.

is there a check list I can check if every part is there for soft and hardtop?

thanks a lot guys. this forum is great, everybody is so helpful, unlike the evo X forum. lol

tcl

waydui · 07-07-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCL

The worst case is I got the car without the top on. Now I think of it, I afraid that they do not all the parts and screw I need for soft and hardtop.

is there a check list I can check if every part is there for soft and hardtop?

Hi TCL,
There really aren't a whole lot of parts for either top type.

For the Soft Top you have:
1. The soft top itself, which has built-in latching pins that are spring-loaded and slide within the sides of the top.
2. The 2 roof stays, which are flexible plastic "rails" that fit into slots on the top of the windshield and the top of the rear window shroud assembly.

For the Hard top, you have:
1. The roof itself which has the hardware (bolts) held in place by captive fasteners.
2. The forward trim panel which mounts to the windshield and top.
3. The 2 side trim panels which cover up the mounting hardware for the rear bolts

That's everything. I'll assume that all the mounting fixtures on the car itself are still in place. This includes the "pockets" to hold the soft top rails and the latch plates mounted on the window shroud (black plastic pieces with slots/grooves in them).

If you need more info, just ask.

Regards,
Wayne

habendanio · 07-07-2009, 06:04 PM

Good Idea to check the wheather seal after putting the hardtop and soft-top on. The window needs to be able to seal with both but one needs to have the window travel farther to engage the seal. Make a note so that you can get the dealer to adjust whenever you get it.

Newhouse · 07-07-2009, 07:44 PM

TCL,
Check by the battery, that's where the owner's manual was stored on mine.
The maintenance and repair section of this forum has links the electronic copy of the owner's manual and directions on how to get the service manual.

hroundy · 07-07-2009, 07:49 PM

Welcome and congrats on acquiring the must fun driving experience

An electronic version of the service manual and technical bulletins are available from this Lotus web site: Lotus Subscribe. Do the 24 hour subscription for $25 and download and save everything.

Tyger · 07-07-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCL

I got the car without a owner manual, is there a electronic one for owner manual and repair manual?

The worst case is I got the car without the top on. Now I think of it, I afraid that they do not all the parts and screw I need for soft and hardtop.

is there a check list I can check if every part is there for soft and hardtop?

http://www.elisetalk.com/docs/elise_manual.pdf about 4.5 megs

TCL · 07-08-2009, 01:02 AM

Thank you so much for the helps.
I will go pick up the car on friday, and I will try to make sure if all the parts are there.
otherwise i might need to go to the dealer and get any missing parts.

thanks!!

07-07-2009, 12:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
TCL Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 13	Questions on hardtop and softtop for Elise Hello, I just got a 06 elise, and it come with a hardtop and soft top. But It is topless when I get it and I have no idea how to put either hard top or the soft top on. how many screws are for the hardtop/ softtop install on the car? Does anyone have a manual for each installation? Thanks a lot.

07-07-2009, 01:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
waydui GR8 SCAPE Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kirtland, Ohio Posts: 1,182	Hi TCL, Congrats on the new car. I have a 2005 Elise with soft and hard tops. Installation is the same for both years. Here are the pages from the Service Manual on how to install each type of roof. No screws for the soft top. Very easy to put on. Good Luck! Regards, Wayne Attached Images __________________ _______________________ '05 Elise Magnetic Blue, Black, Touring, Hard Top, Star Shield, Stage II Exhaust, Arqray decat pipe, S2 Front Splitter (UK), Sector 111 Rear Tow Hook, Driving Lights, De-Snorkled, K&N Air Filter, Shift-I System, LSS Dampers & Springs, Sector 111 V-Bar, Schroth Profi II 5 point harness, Exige S Probax seats, 1/4 turn undertray screws, Stealth bulbs, BWR SC with PES tune, Innovative engine mounts, SS brake lines.

07-07-2009, 06:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
habendanio Henry Join Date: May 2006 Location: Fairfield CA Posts: 729	Good Idea to check the wheather seal after putting the hardtop and soft-top on. The window needs to be able to seal with both but one needs to have the window travel farther to engage the seal. Make a note so that you can get the dealer to adjust whenever you get it. __________________ Henry http://www.abendanio.com/ 2005 Elise, AR, Touring, Sport, HT (RIP 10-6-08) 2005 Elise,Touring & Sports,Bordeaux Red Pearl 1986 Pontiac Fiero Gt, 1986 Toyota Pickup

07-07-2009, 07:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
Newhouse Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Richfield, Ohio Posts: 190	TCL, Check by the battery, that's where the owner's manual was stored on mine. The maintenance and repair section of this forum has links the electronic copy of the owner's manual and directions on how to get the service manual. __________________ ------------------------------------------------- 05 Elise, Storm Ti, Black Int, Hardtop, Starshield, LSS

07-07-2009, 07:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
hroundy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Concord NH Posts: 62	Welcome and congrats on acquiring the must fun driving experience An electronic version of the service manual and technical bulletins are available from this Lotus web site: Lotus Subscribe. Do the 24 hour subscription for $25 and download and save everything. __________________ Howard 2005 Elise AP LSS hardtop

07-07-2009, 01:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
TCL Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 13	this is super awesome...THANKS A LOT! what top do u use most often?

07-07-2009, 01:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
milehitom Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,143	TCL, Congrats on the car and welcome! I use my soft top every day spring through fall, since my '05 is a daily driver and when it's parked, I like to have the top on to avoid damage from unexpected showers. In the winter, the hard top goes on. If you follow the soft top installation and removal instructions, your top should last a long time. Mine is 4 years old and looks as good as new. Tom

07-07-2009, 02:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
TCL Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 13	I got the car without a owner manual, is there a electronic one for owner manual and repair manual? The worst case is I got the car without the top on. Now I think of it, I afraid that they do not all the parts and screw I need for soft and hardtop. is there a check list I can check if every part is there for soft and hardtop? thanks a lot guys. this forum is great, everybody is so helpful, unlike the evo X forum. lol tcl

07-08-2009, 01:02 AM	#13 (permalink)
TCL Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 13	Thank you so much for the helps. I will go pick up the car on friday, and I will try to make sure if all the parts are there. otherwise i might need to go to the dealer and get any missing parts. thanks!! __________________ In the garage: 2008 Mitsubishi Evolution X 2006 MB SLK 280 2006 Lotus Elise

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode