Original Manx II roll bar height???

[Gene-C]

I'm looking to buy the hard top from the Manx Club. I was reading in another post that the original roll bar did not attach to the chassis. Mine does so now I am wondering if its the correct height. Its hard to measure but if I take a tape measure and measure from the pan near the tube to the top of the bar ((kinda on an angle cause the bar is almost over the torsion tube)I come up with just over 44". I have about 1/2" if carpet and pad. Does this sound about right? I'd hate to spend $350.00 on a top I cant use... This car came with a soft top. This has never fit right. I assumed it had shrunk but I was thinking back then, if the roll bar was shorter it would fit.... :help:

[Lee]

Scott, My roll bar is mounted using the 'standard' method outlined in the Siggy Manx instructions. I can't be sure where you are taking your measurements from, so I checked the distance from the top of the tunnel to the top of the roll bar. I put the end of the tape measure on the access panel that covers where the shift rod coupler goes: Like you said, you have to measure at an angle. The top of my roll bar is a little over 36", say 36-1/4" above the top of the tunnel, angle included. If you are close, you should be fine. There is a good amount of slop you can play with if the roll bar is a little above or below 36". If you do get the hard top, let me know and I will tell you how to mount it a better way than 'normal'. Now I am off to clean up all the dust the photographs revealed.

[mel hubbard]

The screen and roll bar should be around the same height & rake,,, the standard screen i used to sell for the Manx was 16'' high,,, using the standard Manx roll bar that stops short of the pan and attaches through the tub & on to the bolt above the torsion bar cover,, by second a bracket. The only problem will be if your roll bar is too high,,,if thats the case the hardtop ears will then be above the body when resting on the roll bar,,,, if so you will need to shorten your roll bar down to the correct hight. If your roll bar is too low and the hardtop ears are resting on the body without touching the roll bar,, you can fix (bond) a spacer,(hard foam, etc) onto your hardtop where it rests on the roll bar. Some guys have put hardtops on Buggies with 12'' cut down windshields and low roll bars,,, but to do this you have to cut the ears down,, and be very agile to get in the thing :help:. There are a lot of buggies here in UK with the Hardtop ears tucked inside the body tub,,, and many with roll bars so high they would double up as a kids swings,,if/ with a bit of rope attached,,, im sure you wont make this mistake Scott Buy it buddy :rock:

[Gene-C]

Hey guys, Looks like I have 38" to the top of the bar when measuring from the inspection plate... I guess a Manx hard top wont fit without modifying the roll bar.

[mel hubbard]

Scott, i dont have a Manx body here, but i have a Manx hard top,, if you can take the measurement from the body tub to the top of the roll bar (how much is out of the tub),, and i could stand my hardtop,, ears down on level ground , and measure from the ground to the underside of the hardtop where the roll bar would rest,, if that helps. You could extend the ears if the bar is too high. Never say it wont fit,,, make it fit,,, its a buggy Let me know,, as i will have to dig it out of the rat barn.

[Gene-C]

[QUOTE="mel hubbard"]Scott, i dont have a Manx body here, but i have a Manx hard top,, if you can take the measurement from the body tub to the top of the roll bar (how much is out of the tub),, and i could stand my hardtop,, ears down on level ground , and measure from the ground to the underside of the hardtop where the roll bar would rest,, if that helps. You could extend the ears if the bar is too high. Never say it wont fit,,, make it fit,,, its a buggy Let me know,, as i will have to dig it out of the rat barn.[/QUOTE] Thanks Mel, The part of the tub the roll bar comes out of is tapered. If I center the tape on the roll bar and measure straight up I get about 24" to the top of the bar. Its really nice of you to go to the trouble. I agree I can make it fit... I dont want to cut my bar since I had it rechromed. Not realy into modifying the top too much. I need to get ready for the Bug-Out :driving: Thanks again,

[mel hubbard]

If you layed a flat plank (say 5''x1'') across the body on the flat area just behind the roll bar,, and clamp another piece on top of the roll bar to get an exact measurement of how high the roll bar comes out of the tub. The ears are about 14'' wide,, i put a straight edge 1'' in from the hardtop ears,, front edge ,, and to the inside top of the hard-top measured 18''. Thats taking a measuring back and above from (inside) where the hardtop fits over the windshield of 38'',,,, because of the way the hardtop tapers towards the rear,, if i measure back 43'' then the distance from the ears to the inside top of the hardtop is reduced by around 3/4''. As the ears run over the body,, and its best to allow for a little padding between the roll bar and hardtop,,,, i would guess at aound 16'' of bar above the tub. Hope that helps,,, hope i got the measurments right too. If you want me to post a, how to, on extending the ears, thats no problem. Good luck Scott :hello:

[Gene-C]

Mel, Thanks you again for all your trouble. You have gone above and beyond to help me figure this hard top out. I will check your measurements against my buggy.