Mach 7 Motorsports Trunk Top

[TexasTonka]

I bought a Trunk Top from a member on these forums quite some time ago. It was one of those amazing things that pop up that actually matched my Sapphire Blue paint color and has been a part I have been eyeing for months. The top looks AMAZING when it is on the car. But I need some advise for the details of the top.

The top rattles quite a bit and I can't seem to get it adjusted just right, instead of being even and smooth across the joints as seen in the website and pictures I have seen the rear of the panels do not meet up even and it just looks a bit awkward, I have tried loosening every tiny alan head bolt to adjust it with no real progress. Also on the passenger side the weather striping on the real of the panel sticks out over the door and is not tucked neat and nice as the driver side and mid panel. The weather strip does not seal around the front of the side windows, but two of my friends have this top and it seams to be the norm.

The biggest issue I have is that I can not use it as intended. The quick connect fittings that get installed in the sport pad do not hold onto the studs as they should so in order for me to remove the top and install the sport pad the studs have to come off every time and the 13mm bolts need to be installed and sport pad etc... I have become efficient at this and can take the pad off and install the top within an hour, and it takes about the same to switch it back.

Any ideas how to modify the sport pad quick connects to work properly? Get ride of the annoying rattles and even up the panels?

The top looks amazing but it is getting to a point where it is just not worth the effort, it is easier to install the factory OEM hard top than take off the sport pad each time and reinstall the whole system each time. Also knowing my luck one of these times I am going to strip one of the holes in the sport bar!

Any advise would be appreciated!

 

[99 R/T 10]

Have you called or email Jeff L to see if he can help with the adjustment?

 

[Richard Koch]

If the Mach 7 is like the 3 piece removable top I have on my 1999 RT-10 then perhaps I can help out. I bought mine used off Craig's List a couple of years ago and I have come up with an easy method of installing it. I gave up using the studs as they were a big bother. To install the 3 piece top I remove the sport pad by using a 1/2 inch ratcheting box wrench to loosen the 4 bolts holding the pad on. You soon get the feel on fittting it over the bolts and you only need to loosen it a little way and you will be able to lift the sport pad straight up. It may be necessary to give it a little pop upwards with your hand. If it doesn't come loose then, the bolts aren't loose enough. Loosen them a little more and it should come off. Sometimes if you have the bolts too loose the wrench may not come out easily.

After I remove the sport pad I take all 4 bolts out and install the bar with the latches over the hardtop locking pins to partially align it. I then use the stock bolts to fasten the bar, but don't tighten them too much to make sure you don't strip the threads. I have done this enough times that I can easily remove the sport pad and have the 3 piece top installed and ready to go in 15 minutes. I assume this also works for the 1 piece top.

I notice that when installed my top will groan a bit, but the 3 piece top makes it very handy while traveling, even when stowed. I am short so I can fit the 2 side panels behind the driver and passenger seats (In their vinyl cases) and that leaves the center part stowed in the trunk. It doesn't take up too much space there and allows more cargo.

I hope that this helps and is forthe same kind of top you have.

 

[TexasTonka]

Tried emailing Jeff but got it kicked back that the email on his site no longer works.

 

[TexasTonka]

It is the same top. I've been removing the sport pad everytime. Never thought about using the factory bolts again. But this does not help the rattle, evenness of panels, weather strip issue or that the top is not working as it should. Have two friends with this top and the sport pad slaps right back on. For $3000 this top should work as advertised?

 

[Richard Koch]

I was lucky to get mine used for $1.000 from a local Viper owner. It may be that he didn't like the fits either. I have fiddled witih adjustments and made it a little better, but they just don't seem to adjust enough to get the fit exactly right. I was also unable to get a lot of information from the manufacturer. possibly because I didn't purchase it from them. At VOI 11 I met a man from Nashville or somewhere near there and he was able to take it to them and they spent a long time tweaking it and got it looking and working great.

It looks nice and is convenient, but does have some issues.

 

[ZYellow01RT]

I love mine!

No rattling at all, and actually pretty waterproof as well. You just have to take the time to adjust it correctly the first time.

As for me, I don't even put the sports bar back on when I take the 3-piece top off...why bother?

 

[scottmarston]

I am actually looking for some feedback on this 3-piece design. How would you guys rate this? Is it worth $3,000?

 

[got one]

Bring it over...let's do some work on it...we can knock it out in a day...we had to do some minor modding on mine to get it to line up...i can have my top off and sport pad on in 45 seconds

 

[VYPR BYT 94]

Any ideas how to modify the sport pad quick connects to work properly? Get ride of the annoying rattles and even up the panels?

The top looks amazing but it is getting to a point where it is just not worth the effort, it is easier to install the factory OEM hard top than take off the sport pad each time and reinstall the whole system each time. Also knowing my luck one of these times I am going to strip one of the holes in the sport bar!

Any advise would be appreciated!

I am actually looking for some feedback on this 3-piece design. How would you guys rate this? Is it worth $3,000?

Send a PM to "Stretch"...
http://forums.viperclub.org/members/28344-Stretch
He has that exact top on a yellow '95 RT/10. He will probably be able to give you some helpful advice about it. I'm actually looking at getting one next spring.

 

[hemihead]

Wow, they really jacked the price of these up. They were $2,500 not too long ago.

 

[TexasTonka]

Have you called or email Jeff L to see if he can help with the adjustment?

Does anyone have Jeff's email or number? His email on the website does not work.

 

[99 R/T 10]

Does anyone have Jeff's email or number? His email on the website does not work.

Check your ***

 

[TexasTonka]

Check your ***

Thank you, I'll see if that works.

 

[IronmanViper]

Does anyone have a Mach 7 for sale that would fit on a 96 RT/10 (RED)? Thanks