Has anyone converted to a relatively convenient system for operating the convertible top manually?

I have no idea what mazda was thinking designing a half power, half manual convertible top. What's the point of having an electric motor open it when you can't (easily) operate the roof while in motion, or without getting out of the car while stopped? I'd be able to open and close it much faster manually anyways.

Anyways, I'd like to remove both the power motors and convert to some easy way of operating it manually. I know there is a screw you can turn to free it up for manual operation, but that is far from convenient.

Any ideas or thoughts?

 

I've never had a problem using the power top while sitting in the car. I don't understand why you are making lowering the top so difficult. Undo the two latches. Start lowering the top until the hard targa portion has enough room to swing down into place. Stop lowering the top. Reach across and undo the latch on the passenger side. Of course use your free hand to keep the targa portion from whacking you in the head. One hand on the button lowering the top and the other holds the hard targa top so it doesn't whack you in the head.

Raising the top is even easier. Flip the hard top in place so that it latches, then push the button. Takes less than a minute or so to raise or lower the top. I have gotten caught in sudden rain, pulled the car over, popped the top back up in a short amount of time and without ever getting out of the driver seat. That being said, I always try to plan ahead with the convertible boot. If rain is a possibility I don't put it on. Obviously if you're using the boot you are getting out of the car regardless of power or manual top.

That being said, yes people have removed the two motors all together. However they usually do that for weight saving or because one or both of their motors failed. Having a manual top with that hard targa section seems more difficult than using both hands to use the conveniently placed switches and levers. But each to their own.

 

You are not supposed to operate the roof while in motion.
It is so you don't open it and get it ripped off by the wind.Also is deterrent safety feature.
If you take the motor arms off you should be able to open and close it manually.(If I remember the motor setup correctly)
Drive 30 Mph and run beside the car, open it, and then hop back in....(LOL!)

 

why do you think the manual version would be more convenient? i have a BMW E36 with a manual top and it is hardly as convenient as even the FC power vert top. a few clicks, flip the targa and done... i'd be soaked in a flash rain storm, and you still would need to pull over and stop the car to do it!

the ONLY reason to convert it is if the system is not working properly. and as far as i know it should be bypassable, ground the e-brake input to the motors and it should work all the time.

 

Didn't know all it took was just removing the arms to lift it up manually, I'll keep using mine electronically as long as it continues to work

 

There are 2 little screw holes for a phillip's head screwdriver to fit in on the.. uh.. "b pillar?" Loosen those screws and the top is now manual. It's in the owner's manual.

I do get what he's talking about though. It would be pretty convenient if Mazda engineered the top like they did the Miata. That one's manual, and super easy to raise/lower. Especially the NC Miata.

 

if it aint broke, break it... wait thats not right

 

Thanks for the replies.

So am I correct in saying that if I remove the motors, operating the top will not be restricted by anything?

I'm not sure if I'll do this yet, but it would be a good weight reduction, and if it's just the motors it wouldn't be that difficult to restore to normal operation if I found it significantly more inconvenient.

As for operating the top while in the car, sure it's easy for raising it, although I think that it is not very good for the roof to flip it up. But Lowering it from the car is harder than just getting out and doing it, at least for me.

I'm aware of the screw but you have to do that every time to you want to open or close it, at least that is how i understand it.

 

why would you have to? the top latches to the B-pillars and should not need the motors locked when closed.

 

I never get out of the car to lower it. Well, unless I'm putting the boot on. I don't see what the fuss is. Start it lowering until the hard top can swing past your head, the seats and hte wind breaker. Then continue lowering the top.

 

The motors weigh 8lbs each. I tried operating the top with them removed and found it somewhat difficult with a good condition, taut top. The support straps for the rear window also create a lot of tension. I re engaged the motors immediately.

 

could someone take a picture of where these screws are? I want to convert mine to manual temporarily. Mine is stuck in the closed position and it's 70 degrees outside! Help!

 

if you want to operate the electric top while in motion, just pull the ebrake up to the first click, until the brake light comes on. then it will work.

 

I took my motors out, so i could just do it by hand when the car wasnt moving obviously, and the top was heavier than i though and i could see that getting old real quick. Plus the motors werent even that heavy, they both together weighed as much as my alternator. I put the motors back in due to this and also because the top goes back down farther being disconnected from the motors when u put it down and i was worried about the stress of the weight on my rear glass.

 

Maybe u could take the motors out, get the top down, either free the motors up or get working ones and put them back in.