DIY extended tophats

twisterfelixtwisterfelix Band Wagon
in Suspension, Braking & Wheels
I just extended my tophats and took pictures on how to do it. Hope it helps

Comments

  • twisterfelixtwisterfelix Band Wagon
    Step 1 remove the tophats. And take off the bolts by placing the tophat on table or ground, and hitting the top of the bolt till it comes off. Make sure u dont hit the thread.
    433.jpg

    Step 2 mark and cut the tophat at desired location. U can use hacksaw or grinder.
    434.jpg

    Step 3 weld piece of 2" pipe to top part of top hat then the bottom. (In the front i hear u can go up to 1 1/2 inches tall and still clear the hood)
    435.jpg
    436.jpg

    Step 4 grind off excess welds (i went alittle over to take of paint, i did it with a flap disc)
    437.jpg
  • btbammerbtbammer Wagonist
    Those look like mine :D
    292.jpg
  • twisterfelixtwisterfelix Band Wagon
    STEP 5 Primer and paint.
    660.jpg

    STEP 6 Put studs back in place. Easiest way to do this is by sliding stud back in hole. Then install 2 washers, and the nut on the stud and tighten away. It will pull the stud back in place.
    661.jpg
  • stampernstampern Senior Wagonist
    I found that 1 7/8" pipe works much better instead of 2". Only place I've been able to get it is the muffler shops. Fits in the stock civic frame holes so you don't have to hammer them out.
  • woodiwoodi Wagonist
    Not sure if you are talking standard pipe sizes or something else.. Just to be clear. 2" standard pipe is actually 2.375" OD

    If the desired od is 1 7/8 then 1 1/2 std Pipe would do the trick at 1.900 OD.
  • stampernstampern Senior Wagonist
    I've had problems getting a 2" OD pipe through the frame. But 1 7/8" OD pipe works perfect.
  • JayTeeJayTee Wagonist
    Just make sure the ID is large enough that the strut will fit inside.
  • danzdanz Wagonist
    and dont forget to use tube or pipe with a decent wall thickness.... id hate to see it come apart in motion.
  • dmoore0412dmoore0412 Wagonist
    Good writeup. And pics. I think after looking the post over and laying out the materials i may tackle this project. Thanks for the good info
  • twisterfelixtwisterfelix Band Wagon
    The pipe I used was 1 7/8 and worked perfectly on the car.
  • maroon88irocmaroon88iroc New Wagonist
    nice job man!
  • hobbit_01hobbit_01 Band Wagon
    How much did you extend the rear top hats?
  • .JoshuA..JoshuA. Wagonist
    im making these right now i went to a mufler shop also 1 7/8 piping its perfect and my fronts total height is going to be 2 1/4" and rears are going to be 3.5 inches
  • .JoshuA..JoshuA. Wagonist
    53.jpg
    54.jpg i just sand blasted and cleared them after
  • DAT DUDE RELLiKDAT DUDE RELLiK Band Wagon
    good write up....jus a Question does extendin em make it ride better????
  • reno_hooliganreno_hooligan Wagonist
    ^the idea is you want to avoid bottoming out when riding too low. I don't see the advantages having extended top hats with when sitting at regular ride height.
  • 91sawagon91sawagon Band Wagon
    Got a quick question does any of the civic tophats work on the wagon cuz I will make those instead of my car being down
  • andytrig32andytrig32 Band Wagon
    Really nice job. Wish I could do that.
  • .JoshuA..JoshuA. Wagonist
    im pretty sure all top hats are the same rear top hats are not completely round tho the smallest oval shape but they almost looked round
  • 91sawagon91sawagon Band Wagon
    Sweet thanks for the info
  • 1 point 61 point 6 New Wagonist
    I made 2.5" front and 3.5" rear, they ride amazing for being slammed.

    Rears
    47.jpg

    Ride Height
    15.jpg
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