Custom hardtop project

WestieMx5 · Post by **WestieMx5** » Wed Jun 19, 2013 5:44 pm

Hi,
It's that time of year again and I'm thinking of building a hardtop.
I'm need to find a rear windscreen and window seals.
The seals are about $150 per side from Mazda I think. A bit steep.
I suspect the rear window will be also quite expensive.
Does anyone here have an Rx7 to measure?
I was thinking of getting a rear window from one of those, if the width is right. The shape looks similar.

The window seals might be able to be adapted to fit too.

Or does anyone know what other rear windows are about the right size?

Cheers

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Wed Jun 19, 2013 6:43 pm

Heard of Lexan? Why use glass?

brownie · Post by **brownie** » Wed Jun 19, 2013 10:37 pm

Rear glass is ONR from Mazda (Obsolete,Not Replaced).

You can make copys of the glass...Trick being you need a rear glass to copy,and preferably removed out the hardtop,We have a guy down here that charges about $300+gst to do it.

The other small issue is Lexan is not WOFable ,you would need take the hardtop off at WOF time,can't fail if it's not there!!
Huge job to make one if you want a good job,Will be cheaper to buy a used even at $1500 odd dollars.

If you do have the capability would be to see what you do on the forum,Good luck

dylann · Post by **dylann** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 1:18 am

Apparently you can get a lexan window certed in order to pass a wof, probably wouldnt be worth getting a cert just for the window but if you're getting a cert anyway ..

I have no evidence to back this up though, just speculation and hearsay.

Stevo · Post by **Stevo** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 6:01 am

If you're starting from scratch, you can make whatever style you like. Perhaps something like this
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 337&type=3

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 8:27 am

dylann wrote:Apparently you can get a lexan window certed in order to pass a wof, probably wouldnt be worth getting a cert just for the window but if you're getting a cert anyway ..

I have no evidence to back this up though, just speculation and hearsay.

Correct. You must use Lexan or another product. Can't just use any shatterproof poly. You must also leave the films on it so they can see it is indeed Lexan.

Make a fastback. Then put it into product. Do it!!!

Seriously though. Tried Smith and Smith etc?

Timmo · Post by **Timmo** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 3:22 pm

There is a Mazda Az3 at work....and everytime I walk past it I think it's rear hatch would make a good base for a fastback/hardtop project.

TehAshleigh · Post by **TehAshleigh** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 4:28 pm

(totally lurking, this is a project to watch, good on you dude)

WestieMx5 · Post by **WestieMx5** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 6:30 pm

Hey that's right, they cant fail it if it's not there..
I suppose the reason they need a cert for Lexan is because most cars use the windscreen as a structural support/brace. Surely on a convertible it wouldn't matter?

That NC hardtop looks awesome! And the rear window is quite flat too.
Might be able to make one with a small car rear window like the Toyota cynos. I'll try measure one up.
It is a little more complex in shape than what I was imagining though.

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:26 pm

More to the point, remove the top for your WoF and no fails :p

MrGrey · Post by **MrGrey** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 11:55 pm

saw this on trademe and figured you could possibly salvage it for parts.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-par ... 582880.htm

Growler · Post by **Growler** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 3:42 pm

Does polycarbonate really neeed to be certed on a hard top? They use plasticised PVC for the rear window on a soft top which is much more softer and not structural.
And the fact polycarb is stronger than glass.

marcellarius · Post by **marcellarius** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 3:48 pm

http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/v ... on/glazing

There seems to be an exception for plastic windows behind the driver on a soft top convertible, so I'd expect that as it's not on a soft top, you would have to use an approved glazing.

WestieMx5 · Post by **WestieMx5** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 6:29 pm

That glass nb rear window would probably work but I'd like to use new parts if possible because I might sell a few to friends to try and cover my costs, and 2nd hand ones might not be available. Or are new ones available?

Would a cop disapprove of lexan if it looked like glass? (no rivets etc) That would be the question.

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 9:35 pm

Let's say you get pulled over and he tickets you for not having the correct rear window. Remove the hard top, go to the testing station and say "Wtf is going on". They will reply "Wtf mate?". You win.

To be honest, if you got pulled over and he went and inspected the rear window, I'd say you've got bigger problems.

I got pulled over in my race car once a fortnight (Epicest daily drive duties). Not once did I get questioned about non winding lexan windows all around (Not to mention having to open the door to speak to them).

**NOTE** It does scratch easily. The only downside...

Skilfil · Post by **Skilfil** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 12:16 am

Yeah my thinking is the same as the last post, doubt 90% of cops even know you can have a different material as a window. And they certainly wouldn't think to say its not legal, as long as you can see through it.

You'd have to piss one off that knows enough to tell the difference, thats pretty unlikely going by most cops I've met.

brownie · Post by **brownie** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 12:17 pm

Not the police you need to worry about,Just if you got a anal WOF guy,
you would get away with it if you use a regular WOF guy that's not a stickler for the rules.

I would imagine there's a heap of other stuff to work out first before needing worry about the window

WestieMx5 · Post by **WestieMx5** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 5:14 pm

I have found the window seals, 43 pounds or about $87NZD each on ebay.
Has anyone had any problems ordering from the UK/ebay?

warrior · Post by **warrior** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 5:38 pm

I have bought plenty of things in form e bay UK and have never had a problem

MrGrey · Post by **MrGrey** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 12:07 pm

I too have bought a bit of ebay and its no hassle. I just make sure to sort auctions by "lowest price + postage" because some cheap item have monstrous postage because they default to an overnight courier (eg stylebar $65nz + $890nz postage)

just make sure you read what is in front of you and you will be fine. I also make sure to pay via paypal because they have a system in place for getting your money back if you get ripped off.

Growler · Post by **Growler** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:36 pm

Snapfrozen wrote:**NOTE** It does scratch easily. The only downside...

Not if you get the flame hardedned polycarb. I use a 6mm sheet for my front windscreen in the race car...

REDBEN · Post by **REDBEN** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:40 pm

But a 4.5mm sheet of polycarbonate alone costs $1100 NZD, not the cheapest stuff out there. Unless you guys have a cheaper supplier?

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:56 pm

MrGrey wrote:I too have bought a bit of ebay and its no hassle. I just make sure to sort auctions by "lowest price + postage" because some cheap item have monstrous postage because they default to an overnight courier (eg stylebar $65nz + $890nz postage)

just make sure you read what is in front of you and you will be fine. I also make sure to pay via paypal because they have a system in place for getting your money back if you get ripped off.

Definitely check the shipping. Wanted some sunnies which were $80 + shipping of $45... Or $7

MrGrey · Post by **MrGrey** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 8:24 pm

I saw these on ebay today, and thought the images may be useful to you as a reference. These images are directly linked from ebay so I would save copies of them if you want to keep them. Sorry about the size of them, but I left them as original size in case you wanted to use one as a reference and needed the detail.

fibreglass hardtop for 1989-2005 mx5:

fibreglass hardtop for 2006-2013 mx5:

Price wise they are not worth it due to location (US$550 for the 89-05 one and US$660 for the 06-13 one and thats excluding shipping) and due to the extra cost of the glass, rubbers and latches.

I hope this is useful in some way

MrGrey · Post by **MrGrey** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 8:56 pm

holy double post batman!

speaking of custom hardtop projects, I thought I would share these images from my next project which is a hardtop carrier trolley thingy for during summer when I want to drive around with the top down

Gotta love it when they give the dimensions

Custom hardtop project

Custom hardtop project

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