Raising The Roof on a Triumph Stag!

Opinion seems very divided and split on how to best drop down a Triumph Stag Convertible hood and then take it back up again. There's lots of confusion all around it seems and often practices are made that result in damaging either the hood or the mechanism itself! A bit of a minefield then for every Stag Owner!
So, TR Tony checks on the Channel and walks you through this important Triumph Stag function and follows the OEM instructions that you can also find on the flip side of the Driver's side Sun Visor.
If you'd like a free 'Arry The Stag! Badge of Honour to stick on your car (doesn't have to be a Stag, as we love all Classics) then please feel free to click here www.arrythestag.com/badge-of-honour

[@davidhall39]

When pushing the cover into the recess,unzip the rear plastic window and lower it down and keep it straight. In the video it's just bundled in with the fabric.This will crack the perspex window.

[@silkdestroyer]

Lot of comments about whether or not to un-zip the rear window. I had a Stag for 4 yrs and went practically everywhere with the top down. I never un-zipped the window, but was careful to avoid and sharp creases. Never had any problems with either the hood or the rear window..

[@gregtanner7723]

I was shown by previous owner of my first and ongoing Stag to unzip the window and drop it down into the storage area first as I folded the roof back to stop cracks or creases in the window. On a second Stag I bought and had for a short time, the vendor told me to put a towel over the window before folding it and it would prevent any damage to the window. which it proved to be the case. On my other Stag I've religiously unzipped the window, but a few months ago the tab on the zip broke - so I have begun to use the towel trick on that and again it works. Given that bending and reaching round into the back of the car in my advancing years is something I can do without (!) I think the towel method has a lot of merit! (The towel is laid over the outside of the window). The window remains perfectly clear.

[@robybabe4461]

Thanks... Only had my Stag a few months & waiting for some decent weather to try it out so this video has been a good lesson... Cheers

[@ArryTheStag]

Good stuff and glad it helped! Join us for more on a weekend www.arrythestag.com/saturday-sockets All the best TR T

[@frankabels5761]

Are you still happy with your stag?

[@kenbradley5035]

I had a series 2 stag when they first came out... The dealer said you should always lay your arm across the rear plastic window as you lift so you get a perfect loose fold otherwise it will look terrible and start to crack in no time. I had a hoist ( Pulley ) in my garage to lift the hard-top above the car for easy of use and storage.

[@davesgallery]

My tips for your clip, To store, care with the window or you will create pinch folds which look ugly - Unzip the window and drop it vertically into the storage tub (which i have lined with Carpet). Tuck the roof folds neatly rearward when packing down, it will all easily drop down into the tub without any force against the rear seat. On raising, don't pinch the fabric against the b pillar, release it before dropping the front down.

[@66ManFromUncle66]

Hi Davenburger I hope all is well, When you say tuck the roof folds rearward do you mean that the folds should point towards the rear of the car so that the material is not in between the frame when its folded ?

[@peterwebb2694]

A few little "extras'":- - when lowering release the velcro above the windows before attempting to fold the roof from the front (takes strain of the mechanism), - check that the rubber seal around the storage area is correctly seated before closing the cover, - add a short length of hosepipe (about an inch with a small cut out for the pin) to the front fixing lever before closing the storage area cover to stop scratching on the underside of the cover, - I agree that unzipping the window makes it easier to stow the hood plus stops it creasing. When erecting the hood, make sure the fabric is correctly positioned around the B pillar to allow the mechanism to move fully forwards to allow the front levers to engage and - finally once the hood is up and secured front and rear close the doors then align the material over the top of the doors and press the velcro together to ensure the roof overhangs the door to ensure water does not run in to the car if it rains. Final tip - clean the chrome windscreen capping if it's to be shown in a video!

[@stagweberVMad]

That more or less sums it up IMO. Some prefer to unzip the window before storage, but should be careful as zips can break! More Hood Nerd info: The car shown has the front rubber seal reverse fitted (clashes with the lever pins). There is no push down bracket fitted on the tonneau under the centre catch, but as they often damage the seal its probably best left off - only downside is the pointy catches scratch the paintwork! Finally I prefer to push the cover material backwards so it doesnt get trapped in the frame and get creased. Nice car by the way!

[@PaulGunnMusic]

Thanks for this; I am looking to buy a Stag so this is really helpful for me!

[@peteredwards9147]

Hi Tony, good video, I have messaged you a few times. I have a Ford streetka (someone's got to drive them) all people say to me about the soft top is, isn't it electric. No it's 15 years old and it only takes 20 seconds to open or close it. Once again good video, keep safe and have fun

[@joninmelbourne]

Helpful thanks 🙏

[@ArryTheStag]

Glad it helped Best TR T

[@Martin_Coombs]

I always unzip the rear window, makes it easier when dropping the hood in the well and reduces creasing of the window.

[@stealthgames1898]

Hi I'm getting a stag and now this will help on seeing how to do everything on it

[@gregtanner7723]

I've bought two Stags - the first the owner showed how I should unzip the window first and then let thst drop down in the compartment first before the hood. Folds easier and protects the perspex from getting Folds I it. Second car owner had a towel laid across the window which he claimed stops damage too, so no need to unzip the window.. The second is easier (when you’re over 6feet tall and my age bending into the back seat to unzip and then zip up again on raising the hood is not such fun. However I think the first method is probably best. I threaded a ziplock tie through the eye of the zip puller to give myself something mor substantial to grab hold of when zipping. And I occasionally use a small amount of WD40 on the zip to make it easier to do up and undo.

[@ArryTheStag]

We did a couple of later videos with Craig at Stag Hood Factory too - check them out. All the best Tony htpps://www.staghoodfactory.co.uk/

[@gregtanner7723]

@@ArryTheStag Thanks - I think I saw both of them a while back. My first Stag had a bent roof frame that was a PITA to raise and lower and I was looking to buy a new frame or frame and hood, so saw the videos with interest, but Jim at South East Fittings did a great job of adjusting the frame so the immediate need went away. I’ve since bought a brand new frame but not fitted it for two reasons - 1) the mend is liveable with and 2) I’m told that if one replaces the frame a new hood should be fitted too. How true that is I don’t know but the two have meant any urgency has gone my current hood is a really nice one that gets admired at meets - apart from quality, the ‘skirt’ at the back is longer than most hoods I’ve seen and not only looks good but is better for keeping the weather out. If I thought I could transfer the current hood to the new frame (or more likely get someone to do it for me!) I’d do that, bur don’t want to start the job and find it’s problematic… 🤔

[@barryclements8581]

Thanks for that. Stag friends

[@johnleesdad]

I agree with everyone who says" unzip the rear window first "

[@gregtanner7723]

Anyone aware of a source of replacement windscreen trim and new levers to smarten up and improve the locking catches at the front? My catches are a bugger to get to engage easily.

[@ArryTheStag]

Hi Greg - these Guys were highly recommended for rubber around the screen. coh-baines.co.uk/ The Stag Hood Factory (Craig Bartholomew) are worth a call re bits. Be sure to mention ‘Arry The Stag! www.staghoodfactory.co.uk/ Best wishes Tony

[@laurelgreentriumph]

That hood seems to go up really easily! I'm usually faffing around for ages trying to push down on the back bar to get it to lock in. Suspect my hood material has shrunk over the years?

[@barload]

Its a completely different matter when the hood has been stowed away for winter and it's the first time you're getting it out. You've got the front on , but the back won't go in, so you try and get the back in and the front won't reach....

[@stealthgames1898]

Thx.

[@julianleyton8668]

When lowering the roof, I’d always recommend releasing the front catches, above the sun visors, first. Why ? If you release the handle behind the passenger seat first there can be a lot of tension in the cables and you risk stretching, dislodging or even breaking the cables.

[@MrDodgedollar]

Your cable stops need adjusting or maybe the hood sticks and mounts in general- The procedure shown is the correct way when the hood is set up right. . .

[@julianleyton8668]

MrDodgedollar A bit of tension helps to give a nice taught roof.

[@TR4man]

What about the two clips on each side above the front and rear of each door?

[@peterwebb2694]

@@ArryTheStag Agreed - no "clips" other than those listed.

[@davidgoodwin1545]

For the lazy ones amongst us, what about folding the hood back, but not stowing it?

[@peterwebb2694]

Good luck with that one - the Stag roof isn't designed that way.

[@doripoo7]

Can you get a stag that you just press a button and it does it for you ha i wish

[@silkdestroyer]

Great, until it breaks.