What does the owners manual say about lowering a 1965 Valiant convetible top?
the stay pads are there to protect the top, but only when the top is up. they just are in the way adding thickness to the top mechanism when it's lowered. you can most likely save 1 to 2 inched of height if you get those out of the way when you fold down the top. less pushing.
unlatch and raise the top 1/2 way (header with the latches pointing directly up)
the material that is between the bows on the mechanism is the stuff you want to get out of the way so the top mechanism doesn't pinch the pads or top material it's easy when the top is half way down and you can either get in the backseat area of the car or stand outside and push one side out and then the other to help finish lowering the top without pinching the material.
the stay pads are there to protect the top, but only when the top is up. they just are in the way adding thickness to the top mechanism when it's lowered. you can most likely save 1 to 2 inched of height if you get those out of the way when you fold down the top. less pushing.
unlatch and raise the top 1/2 way (header with the latches pointing directly up)
the material that is between the bows on the mechanism is the stuff you want to get out of the way so the top mechanism doesn't pinch the pads or top material it's easy when the top is half way down and you can either get in the backseat area of the car or stand outside and push one side out and then the other to help finish lowering the top without pinching the material.