Manual operation of convertible top is it possable
10-29-2010, 03:11 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NSW Australia
Posts: 8
Manual operation of convertible top is it possable
Just purchased a 2001 Mustang convertible in Australia. Just like to know If the convertible top will not operate electrically, is there a way to manually operate it?
10-29-2010, 07:13 AM
#2
TECH SAVANT
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Saint Augustine, FL
Posts: 10,938
I do not believe so. There is no sort of manual release on the mechanism, so raising or lowering it manually would be attempting to "back-pressure" the hydraulic system--plain ol' mechanical advantage would working against you big time...
10-29-2010, 08:48 AM
#3
if you remove the hydrolic shocks behind the rear interior panels then the top will go up or down manually. i have mine like this for weight reduction. i would see this as a pain in the rear for something everyday
05-13-2013, 01:00 PM
#4
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: AZ
Posts: 5
'94-'04 convertible, manual operation
This may be a little late, but I just thought of it and it's a simple fix. No need to remove the seat or anything. Just remove the bolt from the cylinder shaft to the mechanism. A T40 torx bit and 1/4" drive required. It is accessable from the inside from each side of the top storage well. Tie the cylinder shaft to the retainer around the top base with a black zip tie. That's it, enjoy the top down driving.
Wish I thought of this sooner.
Wish I thought of this sooner.
05-13-2013, 01:57 PM
#5
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 700
This may be a little late, but I just thought of it and it's a simple fix. No need to remove the seat or anything. Just remove the bolt from the cylinder shaft to the mechanism. A T40 torx bit and 1/4" drive required. It is accessable from the inside from each side of the top storage well. Tie the cylinder shaft to the retainer around the top base with a black zip tie. That's it, enjoy the top down driving.
Wish I thought of this sooner.
Wish I thought of this sooner.
04-17-2015, 10:30 AM
#7
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,826
04-17-2015, 12:40 PM
#8
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 5
Can you access it? I need to see it, I have no clue where this damn cylinder is and my top is stuck.
04-17-2015, 01:20 PM
#9
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,826
May need to contact a moderator to sort out the technical issue...
The lift cylinders, if you crawl into the backseat and unbutton the convertible top well cover from beneath the rear window so you can move it out of your way as needed, are located slightly rearward of the rear side windows (one on each side of the car). Kind of a pain to get to - you may need to remove the interior panels on either side to do any real work on them, but for sure with the panels removed they are reasonable to get to.
The lift cylinders, if you crawl into the backseat and unbutton the convertible top well cover from beneath the rear window so you can move it out of your way as needed, are located slightly rearward of the rear side windows (one on each side of the car). Kind of a pain to get to - you may need to remove the interior panels on either side to do any real work on them, but for sure with the panels removed they are reasonable to get to.
