Ok guys I know this a silly question but how do yu put the top down on a 87 Iroc? I just got this car and I do not know alot about it yet...Thanks alot!!!

 

1) Unhook the latches from the front of the top located above the visors.

2) Pop the rear of the top with the latch located above the rear speaker on the drivers' side.

3) Lift the back of the top up and hit the electric toneau release switch which should "click" kinda like a door lock and enable you to lift the toneau cover.

4) With the toneau cover fully open, pick the front of the top up and slowly fold the top down into its compartment. You may have to manually lift the #2 bow as you are folding the top since the pieces that fold that bow upwards in order for the top to open are usually broken. You can get new ones from Top Down Solutions if it really bugs you.

5) DO NOT FORCE ANYTHING! If it doesn't fold right, back up, regroup and see if you're doing something wrong. (Ask me how I know ...)

 

ALSO ROLL DOWN YOUR WINDOWS FIRST!!! or open BOTH doors.

John

 

His 87 may not have the electric toneau release my 88 doesn't.I don't even have the manual release handle,it's missing.You may have to look inside the interior panels and pull the small release cable by hand on each side.Hopefully you have all the parts.

 

Ok guys thanks alot!! I am going to go out there and try it!!

 

OK I got the top down but I do not have a latch above the speaker to release the rear, there is a lever under the toneau cover that I had to slide over to release the rear...Thanks for the info guys!!

 

I left off the most obvious thing! LOL. I guess I go ahead and put the windows down without even thinking. And while we're on the window topic, please don't drive with your top down and your windows up.

 

I see a lot of people doing that around here.I just roll my eyes and think what an idiot.Why bother having the top down!

 

I know I would never do that either!!

 

Hi NY87Iroc. In the link below, scroll down to my post (post #32 in that topic). You will get a great detailed description, a further link with pics, and more great tips and tricks for operating your top.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/conv...upplement.html

 

thanks!! I appreciate all the help from you guys!!!!

 

ahh duh you do that so the wind dont hit your face lol my mom dose that in her jeep with the top off stupidest looking thing

 

I'll drive at night with the top down and windows up. The heater on high gives a nice cocoon of warmth even at freeway speeds.

Lon

 

Same here. I bought my convertible to drive with the top down, and if that means occasionally putting the windows up at times to be comfortable in the ridiculously short Canadian convertible season, then I will.
To me, doing that is still a better alternative than putting the top up earlier than you have too. But, I guess some people are more self-conscious than others.

 

Why does this matter when you are putting the top down? I get why you want them down when you are putting them up but why when you are taking down?

 

You only have to put the windows down a few inches before lowering the top. Here's why; the side rails that seal along the top of the window will catch on the rear corner of the window as you try to lower the top. If you force it down you'll wind up breaking or bending those formed rods that lift the #2 bow while the top is lowered.

Lon

 

I always half to keep one window up becouse i need to replace the window motar and to lazy to change it

 

When I first got mine I bent the small round bar located just above the back seats. When lowering the top, just watch those and keep them straight and everything will fit perfectly.

 

I just got a 91 RS with an ASC conversion. I actually have the written instructions. I have tried several times to put the top down, but it won't go all the way down. It is above where it should by by about 5 inches. It looks like a bar is running into the plastic pieces that are on the walls by each seat. It is like that on both sides. Do you have any suggestions?

 

Look at the schematics in the sticky post at the top of the convertible thread. See if you can identify the part you think binds and we can help you out better. My top is always slightly above but 5" sounds like a problem.

 

Is your rear set down when you're lowering the top? Raise the rear seat back and see if the top hits the rear seatback. If so, that along with the other symptom you're describing tell me that the rods I call "Flip rods" are either broken or missing. These rods are supposed to lift that #2 bow. If the bow isn't raised as the top is lowered the top will fold up short and not stow properly. The top will stack up incorrectly and not allow you to close the tonneau cover. The #1 bow is the one with the handles that latches to the windshield. They are numbered #1 thru #5, with 5 being the one with the post that latches to the tonneau. If so, until you can find replacement rods you can just lift the #2 bow as you're lowering the top.

Lon

 

Anyone have pics of these flip rods?I think mine are missing cause I cant stow my top unless the rear seats are folded down and I still have to wiggle it a bit to get it to sit down far enough to close the tonneau

 

That was perfect. Thanks a million! It was a little tough, but I finally got it. The guy I bought it from has a about five convertibles, but never puts the tops down. It looks like it is just a little rusty and maybe just using it will eventually make it easier. I did not see anything that looke bent or broken.

John

 

Hi Lon

I just looked in my Chiltons. I think I have identified those flip rods as possibley being the No. 2 bow acuator. In my book they look fairly straight. Both of mine are no longer straight. Do you think I am on to something?

 

They are not straight. I'm attaching a picture of them. I no longer have any available. One of these days I'll get the time to set up my tooling and manufacture them again.

Lon

 

Were these flip rods used on all vert tops from 87-92 or just the later ones?Reason I ask is that in my 89 camaro gm shop manual it does not show them in the diagram of the convertible top

 

Those flip rods are essential. When I first got my vert, I thought they were spring loaded as mine was bending when I tried to lower the top. Once I looked closer and realized they were not supposed to, my top closed correctly. Passanger side was missing buy I found one and installed it. As long as those stay straight, the top should close well, if they bend, it changes the dynamic of how the top closes and you will not be able to close it. So, while closing the top, watch those bars and DO NOT let them bend.

 

I think it looks silly. My wife says women do it so their hair does not get messed up. At that point I went

 

Aw man. This post was resting so peacefully for a little over two years and you had to wake it up.

Lon

 

 

Well, "one of these days" is now. I have designed and fabricated a new and improved version of the Flip Rods. These are improved because they have a ball joint linkage allowing for some flex as you lower the top. The OEM design had a sharp 90 degree bend just before the threaded portion at the end or the rods. This was probe to breakage on both the OEM version and my aftermarket version I made and had available from 2001 thru 2006.

Here is a link to the Tech Article I wrote back in 2001 that is posted here on TGO to see if the Flip Rod exists on your convertible:

https://www.thirdgen.org/tech/fliprods.pdf


Here is a link to the Flip Rods that are on my web site:

http://www.top-downsolutions.com/Bod...product_id=226

Lon Salgren

 

Hi, I have a 1987 convertible where will The manual release handle be located??

 

Hi I have a 1987 convertible does anyone know where the release handle to unlock the latches for the Tonneau compartment is located at??

 

There should be 2 loop hooks that stick out from behind the rear part of the back speaker panels

 

Ok thank you, I see one only by passenger side the one behind drivers side looks like has a cable going down under the carpet, wondering if there should be a release handle somewhere...

 

There is no handle to pop the tonneau.Its normally released by a switch.The loop cables are the backup method.

 

For the life of me, I cannot find those manual release cables. I have searched all over the internet and youtube (which is also the internet) to find a picture or video of them, but i have not found a thing. Can someone help please.

 

 

Thanks.
I decided to take the panels off and yes, they were hidden behind the speakers. Those little sneaky boogers. I had to hurry because it was supposed to rain last night. I popped the fuse by trying to plug my charger in the cigar lighter and my top has been stuck down for a couple days.
Thanks again.