TR7 - TR8 New Hood Advice (Soft-top, Convertible, DHC)

bmcecosse · Postby **bmcecosse** » 16 Nov 2007 19:45

I have a new hood for my car - and I am considering using Velcro for the rear/side fittings instead of the 'poppers'. Reason being - that's really all that's wrong with my old hood - it has been savaged where PO has been wrenching at the poppers to undo the hood. I reason that if it doesn't work (and I don't see why it shouldn't) then I won't have damaged the new hood and can always fit poppers later.
Has anyone tried Velcro for this ?

TR Tony · Postby **TR Tony** » 16 Nov 2007 19:50

That's an interesting idea[:)]

I have not tried it but would love to know if it works as I too have a new hood to fit!

At the back along the rear deck would the velcro be strong enough to allow you to really tension the new hood to get a tight fit? That's the only potential problem I can see.

Tony

1981 2L FHC Cavalry Blue - very original & not rusty!
1980 3.5L V8 DHC Regency Red - on the road again.

bmcecosse · Postby **bmcecosse** » 16 Nov 2007 19:57

No - on the rear deck I will use the correct original mounting which is a bar through the loop in the back edge of the hood - then bolted to the rear deck from below. I just don't want to wreck the new hood by fitting poppers at the side fittings which then tear out of the material. That's what's happened to my old hood. I will rarely use the car unless the hood is down anyway - and when it's parked it is under a good waterproof cover. I guess the hood may not be as tight with Velcro - but I can live with that if it doesn't get torn !!
Still to figure how to attach the Velcro to the hood - and the car, but hoping to use glue of some form rather than sewing etc. All suggestions greatfully received!

mb4tim · Postby **mb4tim** » 16 Nov 2007 20:29

soon as the hot sun and humidity hits that velcro on the car, it'll peel off unless it's riveted on

-Tim
http://www.morSpeedPerformance.com

bmcecosse · Postby **bmcecosse** » 16 Nov 2007 21:08

Aye - I kind of thought that myself - I wouldn't mind riveting it to the car, around the rear quarters using the existing popper holes, as long as I don't have to pierce the hood material. I suppose it could be carefully sewn to the hood as long as the stitches didn't show on the outersurface.

Beans · Postby **Beans** » 16 Nov 2007 23:46

I can understand the reason behind your idea, but having driven DHC's since '88 I don't see the problem. If you put a new roof on the car with the OS fixings, just be careful when you raise or lower the hood and it will be fine, even in winter [;)]

<center>

1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)
1981 TR7 DHC (not very well known yet, but back on the road)
Also a 1980 TR7 DHC, 1980 TR7 DHC FI, 1981 TR7 FHC
http://tr7beans.blogspot.com/

jclay (RIP 2018) · Postby **jclay (RIP 2018)** » 17 Nov 2007 02:46

If you use Velcro, be sure to mount the HOOK material to the car and not to the top or the cover. The hooks will scratch the paint on the car and the windows on the hood if you mount them on the hood or cover.

Have fun, drive fast & safe, be kewl,

jclay

bmcecosse · Postby **bmcecosse** » 17 Nov 2007 15:24

Good tip jclay - thanks for that - I will be giving it a go when the weather cheers up - probably not till May now!

saabfast · Postby **saabfast** » 17 Nov 2007 16:56

It might have been my hood, but when I fitted a new (mohair)one it was quite a pull to stretch the hood to the studs for the first year or so. I can't see Velcro having enough 'fix' to hold it tightly to the body and keep it really taut like a mechanical fixing.

Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1
'81 TR7 DHC

bmcecosse · Postby **bmcecosse** » 17 Nov 2007 17:42

I can live without 'taut' - just as long as it doesn't tear the fabric which is what has happened with my present otherwise perfectly good hood. Now it flaps in the breeze - like ears!

FI Spyder · Postby **FI Spyder** » 19 Nov 2007 02:25

The snaps can be a problem. I have put some clear syntheic grease in them to help lubricate the metal ring. (I have the original hood). The hood is pretty tight and I put some heat (hair dryer) on the vinyl to help stretch the material to get the snaps to meet. I find that by grabbing them close on either side and pulling them up with vertical force they unpop OK as them tend to and have pulled the body part of the snap out of the body even though I use stainless steel rivets and not the softer aluminum ones. Part of the problem is I feel the vinyl is pretty stiff with age even though it looks brand new and it has to stretch a bit before I can attach the hood to the top of windshield.

The velcro solution is interesting but I am sceptical that it would work. Keep us posted.

bmcecosse · Postby **bmcecosse** » 19 Nov 2007 11:48

I agree the vinyl does seem to harden with age - and certainly it's hopeless when cold. I have an otherwise perfectly good hood which is all cracked and torn at the poppers. I don't want my new hood to go the same way! Velcro is my first idea for a longer lasting solution - but any other ideas are very welcome! Has anyone used Lift-Dot fasteners ?

calex59 · Postby **calex59** » 19 Feb 2008 23:37

I need a soft top for my 1980 DHC. Do any of you have recommendations as to the best place to buy one and how difficult it is to put one on the frame. Thanks in advance for any help.

john 215 · Postby **john 215** » 20 Feb 2008 19:55

Hi,
Not sure your side of the pond where to buy from but would recomend a Mohair type if not worried about originality.
Not bad to fit, covered in some detail in this book,just take your time-
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Triumph-TR7-Ent ... 831&sr=8-3
Good Luck
Cheers John

LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!
1979 3.5 FHC(STATUS PENDING!!)

1982 2.0 DHC NOW A 4.6 WILL BE ON THE ROAD VERY SOON!
Read My Blog http://www.waringstowntr7s.co.uk/blogs/ ... hp/John215

calex59 · Postby **calex59** » 20 Feb 2008 20:08

Thanks John215, I found the book on the amercian amazon site after you showed the way! 30 bucks for used one, 35 for new, think I will go for the new:) Thanks again.

Anonymous