[TR] Tr4 Tonneau snaps

[carlsereda]

Hi Brad,
The difference between TR4 & TR4A tonneaus is the former has 16 versus 
8 'lift-the-dot' fasteners around the back. Both have normal round 
snaps for the dash area that are identical to the door tonneau snaps. 
Those front round snaps are a real pain to operate in that tight 
awkward windshield area with a nice tight tonneau. I would prefer the 
TR6 solution of a bigger hole (with chrome ring) and the simpler post 
(not a lift-a-dot style). With a taught tonneau, which is what you 
want, the simple TR6 style is a finger and knuckle saver. Even if you 
hook the original round snaps on your dash first it's then a bear to 
get the lift-the-dot snaps hooked up on the back. Finally with the 
TR6, the factory came up with a real nice solution for the front 
fasteners, ie; big hole/simple post. I would definitely not use 
lift-the-dots on front. IMO the snaps are better, but the TR6 
hole/posts design easiest to operate.
Regards,
Carl
'63 TR4 since '74

On Jun 8, 2010, at 9:15:39 AM, triumphs-request at autox.team.net wrote:

I'm trying to find out what if any differences there are between the
TR4 and TR4A tonneau covers.

My 63 came with a black tonneau that had been reworked to fit around
the roll bar and since I'm taking the roll bar out I need to use a
different tonneau cover. The fasteners for the dash were the
Lift-A-Dot style of fasteners as are the ones around the rear cockpit
aluminum trip strips. The doors had the round snaps installed which I
believe is typical for all tonneau covers.

At some time in the past I acquired a nice original (at least I think
it is original) white tonneau. This particular tonneau has the push
snaps like those used on the doors although it has the Lift-A-Dot
style fasteners for around the rear cockpit trim.

So the question is are the TR4 and TR4A tonneau covers different? I
would think a 63 TR4 would use the Lift-A-Dot style of fasteners on
the dash for the tonneau. I base that statement on the fact that my
64 Spitfire used the Lift-A-Dot style for the dash as well so I would
think a 63 TR4 would be the same.

I would prefer the Lift-A-Dot fasteners so I'm also wondering if I can
replace the round snaps with Lift-A-Dot fasteners without ruining the
tonneau.

Thanks!

Brad