So I picked up a new hard top and got some jass brackets for it recently, and while I really like them I feel those security bolts just are not quite enough. My car is not running around like it used to and do to this it's sitting in a fenced in yard at my workplace in Sacramento.... which is right next to pick and pull. It's going to be there till I haul it down to the shop and swap the motor. I put the hard top on the car yesterday and frankly I was having nightmares of tweakers smash and grabbing that thing last night. Pulling up to work this morning and having a newly dumped pickup full of trash out on street hasn't don't much to alleviate my concerns.

So I have two questions:

Does anyone have a better way of securing the top that isn't as easily defeated as a torques bit but is still removable?

And does this interm solution seem a little too much?




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Your hardtop now has a hardtop.

 

I have a security pyramid nut thing in my store that works with a threaded stud. It's much harder to defeat than a pin-in-torx, but it not the easiest thing to install. It works well on bolt-on side plates and less well with a bolt on top plate.

 

Stock latches and toploc work well for me

 

Hey Adam, I recall seeing those cruising through your blog now. Wasn't there a Rex? Bolt or something you were considering as well?

 

Google foo better then MiataTurbo foo. Hence why my car sits in a extra container at work
Anyway
​​​​​​​Key-Rex.....looks pricey

 

I mean how pricey is a new hard top when you have to replace yours after it is stolen?

 

$0 for me, no deductible.

 

I've used a TopLoc for years, but it took forever to acquire since they where perpetually out of stock at the time. That being said, I only have one key left so when that's lost, hardtop 5ever.

 

^ Go get a copy made. I think it cost me $5. Any locksmith will do it

 

It's one of those circular vending machine keys. They do that?

 

I wish. I've looked into Key Rex fasteners a couple of times. Minimum quantity + key creation + the two metric sizes we'd need + enough keys would be in the $3000 range. I keep considering it, but I don't think I'd ever make back the investment. But man are they awesome. I really wish I could justify selling them.

What I've got is these pyramid nuts.



They resist being removed by wrenches or pliers as long as you can get the base flat to the mounting bracket you're attaching it to. They're actually produced locally, which is odd. Not too many New Mexico businesses make this kind of thing. And they're not too expensive. I can buy a couple hundred at a time instead of $3000 worth.

Match it with red loctite and you've got a top that basically will never come off without heating the loctite or cutting the security nuts.

 

if you en feeling industrious.

 

Remember, keep your dick in vice...just not this one, this one's for advanced users only.

 

they definitely do. The keys say do not duplicate, but it isn't a proprietary cut. Any locksmith will duplicate it. I got 3 extra made so I have a key with every spare for my car

 

is keeping the car in a garage not an option?
I never trust any sort of "anti-theft devices"

 

If you're concerned and you have access to the shipping container, why not?

 

How about dabbing some devcon putty in the fastener's face(button head allen or philips or security torx), masking the type of fastener bit/tool needed to remove them. Obviously you would need to drill the putty out in order to then remove the bolts. Doesn't seem like it be that bad. But It would prevent looky loos from knowing what tool they need. devon cost's like $6-8.

 

I use triple square bolts from VW with my hardtop brackets. Slightly more security than torx and really cheap. Happy to dig up the part numbers if people are interested.
edit: these are Jass Performance hardtop brackets.
The front bolt P/Ns are N10613601 (qty6 M6x22) and N91048802 (qty4 M8x20)
The rear bolt P/Ns are N90508101 (qty6 M6x18) and N90986102 (qty4 M8x20)
I ordered them from http://www.jimellisvwparts.com/ and it looks like a set costs $15 +shipping right now.

 

If you really wanted to make it tough for a potential thief, you'd use security screws with 10 different heads.