Targa top - difficult to install w/ 1 person
04-15-2014, 10:09 AM
#21
Thanks for all your insight and advice. Particularly C6RaceCar's tip on passenger side window down just a inch to help support right side. Best advice of all - get a 2nd person.
04-15-2014, 10:29 AM
#23
Burning Brakes
If you have a passenger, make sure they are out of the car when you are doing the top either way. Very easy to bang them on the head with the top. Yes I've done it and she was talking restraining order.
Never tried the 'over the heard' method. I stand outside, push up and forward to slightly rest my corner on the windshield then lift out and away......putting on, I first rest it on the windshield then get a better grip and set the back end down first as close as you can to the pins. Now easy to wiggle into place and clamp down from inside. As a 3 time Flying Roof Club member DO NOT do anything (phone call, going back to the house, etc) until the whole process is completed. Not a good feeling to see your top cartwheeling down the road behind you.
I put the top on while stopped at a redlight when it started to rain. Talking about pressure.
Never tried the 'over the heard' method. I stand outside, push up and forward to slightly rest my corner on the windshield then lift out and away......putting on, I first rest it on the windshield then get a better grip and set the back end down first as close as you can to the pins. Now easy to wiggle into place and clamp down from inside. As a 3 time Flying Roof Club member DO NOT do anything (phone call, going back to the house, etc) until the whole process is completed. Not a good feeling to see your top cartwheeling down the road behind you.
I put the top on while stopped at a redlight when it started to rain. Talking about pressure.
Last edited by lottavettes; 04-15-2014 at 10:32 AM.
04-15-2014, 10:45 AM
#25
Instructor
When I got the email update that this tread was still active I decided to do a quick experiment this morning. I timed myself taking the targa off and then putting it back on.
OFF from doors closed to targa locked into the truck and doors closed again: 43 sec
ON from doors closed and windows up, targa in trunk to everything closed again: 57 sec
I was in the garage and it probably could have been a touch faster if I had had a little more room to maneuver. All just for fun. No official records set.
OFF from doors closed to targa locked into the truck and doors closed again: 43 sec
ON from doors closed and windows up, targa in trunk to everything closed again: 57 sec
I was in the garage and it probably could have been a touch faster if I had had a little more room to maneuver. All just for fun. No official records set.
04-15-2014, 10:46 AM
#26
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04-15-2014, 10:59 AM
#27
The C7 top is much lighter than my C6s but taking it on and off is still cumbersome because the weather stripping is much thicker and requires more pressure to lock in place. I'm sure it will become easier with time.
04-16-2014, 10:43 AM
#28
Burning Brakes
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04-17-2014, 10:09 AM
#29
When I got the email update that this tread was still active I decided to do a quick experiment this morning. I timed myself taking the targa off and then putting it back on.
OFF from doors closed to targa locked into the truck and doors closed again: 43 sec
ON from doors closed and windows up, targa in trunk to everything closed again: 57 sec
I was in the garage and it probably could have been a touch faster if I had had a little more room to maneuver. All just for fun. No official records set.
OFF from doors closed to targa locked into the truck and doors closed again: 43 sec
ON from doors closed and windows up, targa in trunk to everything closed again: 57 sec
I was in the garage and it probably could have been a touch faster if I had had a little more room to maneuver. All just for fun. No official records set.
Sorry, did not mean to hijack this thread.
04-18-2014, 10:39 PM
#30
Drifting
The only problem I had was getting the rear to line up properly and not squash the rear gasket so I had to have a second person !!! Wayne
04-18-2014, 10:53 PM
#31
Drifting
You've got an inch and a half on me, and I don't have a problem either. Guess us 'little' folk just have good balance 
I'm a little guy at 5'6" and I put it on the same way by myself and it's very easy. Taking it off, I essentially do the same as when I put it on. I sit in the seat, unlatch it. Hold the outer edge with my left hand and support it in the middle with my right hand. I then step out of the car lifting it up in the process. Very easy to do.
04-18-2014, 11:43 PM
#32
Le Mans Master
I've been removing and replacing my C6's targa top all by myself for years. There are no differences with my C7's.
Open the hatch FULLY. Roll both drivers and passenger windows down and leave driver's door open. Release both front latches and the rear one. get your fingers under the front edge of the top and lift enough to get fingers under and grip it. Slowly lift and slide forward JUST ENOUGH to get your right hand's fingers under the rear edge and grip tightly. Continue lifting front edge as slide the top forward until the pins in the rear of the top clear the frame. Lift panel vertically (I place the driver's side edge against my stomach to use as a pivot point). CAREFULLY carry back to hatch area and SLOWLY lower into "trunk" area, taking care not to hit the raised hatch. Continue lowering front edge into mounts, slide forward and let rear edge snap into retainers along the back edge of the "trunk".
To install, reverse procedure.
Very easy to do after you've done it a few times.
Open the hatch FULLY. Roll both drivers and passenger windows down and leave driver's door open. Release both front latches and the rear one. get your fingers under the front edge of the top and lift enough to get fingers under and grip it. Slowly lift and slide forward JUST ENOUGH to get your right hand's fingers under the rear edge and grip tightly. Continue lifting front edge as slide the top forward until the pins in the rear of the top clear the frame. Lift panel vertically (I place the driver's side edge against my stomach to use as a pivot point). CAREFULLY carry back to hatch area and SLOWLY lower into "trunk" area, taking care not to hit the raised hatch. Continue lowering front edge into mounts, slide forward and let rear edge snap into retainers along the back edge of the "trunk".
To install, reverse procedure.
Very easy to do after you've done it a few times.
Do it a few times and it becomes second nature. Folks must remember to always pay attention and don't get casual with the process. That's when something can go wrong.
04-18-2014, 11:57 PM
#33
Melting Slicks
The only issue I have is that the seal on the rear is a bit more finicky than the C6 (or C5 for that matter). If you're not careful when you put the top back on the corner of the seal where the windows meet the roof will poke out.
Never had that on my C5 or C6. Otherwise though, this roof is awesome being so much lighter.
Never had that on my C5 or C6. Otherwise though, this roof is awesome being so much lighter.
04-19-2014, 01:09 AM
#34
sounds like im going to be driving with the top on most of the time. anybody have a video of this? that shouldnt be too hard. plus, if a picture is worth a 1,000 words, imagine what a video is worth (btw, it doesnt help to say "its really easy").
Last edited by thedofuss; 04-19-2014 at 01:13 AM.
04-19-2014, 06:12 AM
#35
A good video demonstration on C7 targa top.
2014 Corvette Stingray: How It Works: Roof Panel Access - YouTube
2014 Corvette Stingray: How It Works: Roof Panel Access - YouTube
. YOU THE MAN!
04-19-2014, 07:32 AM
#36
Burning Brakes
[QUOTE=CRABBYJ;1586661531]A good video demonstration on C7 targa top.
The video is great for a tall person with long arms. It doesn't work as well for more average people and it would have been nice to see it done with someone smaller. I find it somewhat more difficult than my C5 except for the lighter weight and you have to be careful not to have the front latches less than fully open. Also you have to firmly push against the rear weatherstrip.
The video is great for a tall person with long arms. It doesn't work as well for more average people and it would have been nice to see it done with someone smaller. I find it somewhat more difficult than my C5 except for the lighter weight and you have to be careful not to have the front latches less than fully open. Also you have to firmly push against the rear weatherstrip.
04-19-2014, 08:45 AM
#37
Melting Slicks
[QUOTE=green2000;1586695295]I am the US average height of 5'10" and that method is what I have always used on my C5, C6 and now use on my C7 - my buddy who is 5'6" has a much harder time with it.
04-19-2014, 09:06 AM
#38
AIR FORCE VETERAN
I am 5'10". And I find it cumbersome . It really is best and safer, in my opinion, to have two people. No point in being macho if you damage the thing doing it alone. There are no do overs...
04-19-2014, 10:20 AM
#39
Melting Slicks
I can only speak to my previous C6 roof panels, but it was all practice made it very easy, soon you will be able to complete the task in under a minute. As others have stated, be careful of windy days, and have gloves in the car, I used yellow dish washing gloves to prevent finger prints, and more importantly, to prevent "burns" on sunny days when the car was out in the sun. Also, if you have back problems, make sure you are careful when twisting to take/put it on.
Make sure the fasteners are all secure when you are done, or, you will join the infamous and expensive "flying roof club."
Good luck.
Make sure the fasteners are all secure when you are done, or, you will join the infamous and expensive "flying roof club."
Good luck.
Last edited by Harry2; 04-20-2014 at 09:27 AM.