1971 Nissan Patrol from Mexico

[rdarnell]

Quite a collections of greens you have happening there. I had a great time and loved seeing your project in person.

[RiverPatrol]

There is no easy or right way to accomplish what you are trying to do. You're attempting to install a hard top onto a Patrol that has never had one. Even installing a hard top that was from a different vehicle can be a challenge in realigning everything, your project has many more challenges. And it seems you may be trying to rush things.

Personal opinion, having messed with a few hard tops, is get the rest of the body squared away then deal with the hard top. As you've already discovered the door gap is one issue. Another issue will be the windshield alignment. The windshield will need to be aligned for both correct door fit and hard top fit. Adjusting the doors and the windshield should be done at the same time. Once everything is aligned and fits THEN you can think about drilling the holes to mount the hard top. One other alignment you'll find is the rear door tops as well.

[KyleAnschuetz]

River,

Well it had a hard too on it before, but I replaced the top angle with angle iron to make it more rigid and deal with corrosion.

My main question is, does the weather stripping on the hard top line up with the weather stripping on the tub? Looking at the doors I could see it being moved forward about an 1/8” or so, but it might just be the alignment right now.

I’m also open for other suggestions on the best way to fix the Patrol. I’m happy to hear I’m not the first person to struggle with door gap issues. Is there a standard for how large a gap the doors should have? It appears that 1/16” between the tub and the door would work well.

Thank you for all the help!

[CBlake]

To me, 1/16 seems a little tight. In the past I have used paint stir sticks which are about 1/8" - 3/16".

[RiverPatrol]

River,

Well it had a hard too on it before, but I replaced the top angle with angle iron to make it more rigid and deal with corrosion.

My main question is, does the weather stripping on the hard top line up with the weather stripping on the tub? Looking at the doors I could see it being moved forward about an 1/8” or so, but it might just be the alignment right now.

I’m also open for other suggestions on the best way to fix the Patrol. I’m happy to hear I’m not the first person to struggle with door gap issues. Is there a standard for how large a gap the doors should have? It appears that 1/16” between the tub and the door would work well.

Thank you for all the help!

That does make a difference. Still a challenging task though.

In my experience yes, the weather strip on the hard top lines up the the weather strip on the tub. It's as if one strip were installed and just cut where the two come together.

As for door gap in that situation, I go with what woks to get everything aligned right. Keep in mind there will be some weatherstrip there to take up some differences.