Hardtop Security Hardware Group-buy

Hardtop security hardware and little helpers.

This is a project I’ve been working on for the past two weeks. Hardtop season brings about the annual worry about keeping the top secure. This usually brings about the annual googling for security hardware. This year, I found something very interesting.

And I have enough to share with everyone!

Back side of the nuts.

Standard M8 and M6 hardware beside the security nuts. These things are BIG.

So, I got these security nuts and immediately started trying to formulate a way for them to work on most hardtop mounting solutions. Most of those involve Spec Miata hardtop mounting plates, so I bought myself a set in order to fit the nuts.

Fast forward two frustrating weeks. I threw my hands up in frustration every evening. I realized that it was impossible to plan for every circumstance and try to have something to fit everyone’s car. So I gave up. I decided to just sell single servings of these security nuts until I was out.

You need some studs.

If you want to make these funky square nuts work, you need studs. You are responsible for sourcing these. Here in the States, ACE Hardware has a fine selection. Not sure about other countries.

For the body-side of the Miata, you need M8x1.25 studs. On the windshield, I found 40mm studs to work decently with the Spec mounting plates. On the side latch area, I found 30mm studs to just barely squeeze past my rollbar and let me barely get a nut over top. There’s one exception on the side latch area: the forward-most bolt that holds the softtop boot cover is M6 rather than M8. It is the only fastener like this.

For the hardtop side, you need M6x1.0 hardware. You can use just about any length. I used 30mm studs on both the windshield and side latch areas and was able to secure the Spec plates just fine.

How to Install

This is good. The nut is flat against the backing plate.

Notice how the nut is askew? This is bad.

If you install the security hardware so that it’s flat against the backing plate, you’ll have a secure installation. It is nearly impossible to get any tool over top to remove it. But if you have a plate that’s not quite perpendicular to the plane that the mounting hardware uses, you open up the opportunity for a tool to slide under and your security nut to be compromised.

If you add RED LOCTITE to the security nut, you create a lock that is impossible to remove without adding heat. Let me repeat. Add Red Loctite and you will have a very secure hardtop installation. You will have to heat up the hardware with a torch to remove the top.

And how do you install these nuts anyway?

The secret installation tool.

That’s right. The nut is its own locking tool. You install a second nut over top of the first and back it off 3/4 of a turn. Then you tighten the combo with an adjustable wrench 1/4 turn at a time. You can install these square security nuts as tight as you like. That’s a feature that not all security hardware shares.

Sharka’s installation.

I really just wanted to add a little more security to my Beatrush latches. This square nut (nearly impossible to fit where I have it) makes it so that the latch cannot be loosened and compromised. Add this to the hardware on the hardtop side and the lock going through the handle itself and I’m left feeling pretty good about my hardtop security.

Want Some Nuts?

What you get.

You get five (5) of each size security nut, both M6 and M8. That is enough to put one on each side of a Spec Miata hardtop plate system, plus one nut of each size to act as a lock.

You get a sticker! (Perhaps two)
You get a random Domo-Kun! (maybe two!)
You get free shipping! (in the continental US only)

All this for $18 USD.

I have 18 sets of security hardware. If you want one, fill out my order form and select Some other product on the dropbox.

Happy Hardtop Season!