Question concerning hard top side striker plates.

[Duncan]

Basically, were they created equal throughout the years? I recently acquired a hardtop for my Miata and need to order these. Thanks in advance.

[HarryB]

Usually the side striker plates come in pair with the latches. Not sure if all the same, look reasonably close though. Keep in mind that Mazda surely changed ths soft top ones sometime in 2003; a small change on the locator tip (blunt vs pointy nose)

[★ revlimiter ★]

I'm pretty sure they were equal. And if you happen to order a set of receivers with the wrong nose, I believe you can order new noses and swap on the latch itself.

I'd bet any side receiver will work though.

[HarryB]

Even if different they will latch but will allow some minor movement. Found out that the noses themselves cannot be swapped between the two styles. The plastic nose is essentially a thick condom, and the metal underneath is slightly different, not allowing blunt covers to be swapped over pointy latches. Ask me how I know...

[— kung fu jesus —]

I thought they were the same. I have 2 pairs or side latches, but I use bolt-on brackets.

[Duncan]

Thanks for the input, my mother went and got the hard top for me and put it on my car (with help of course!), she said it latched just fine in the front and sent me pictures as well so i guess that solves one possible issue. I asked her if it had the side latches and she said it indeed did so I just gotta buy the anchor bolts for the rear and the striker plates and I should be good to go once I get back from Afghaniland. I had a hardtop on my second NA but never took note of any differences to the latches themselves, thanks for the help.

[— kung fu jesus —]

FYI, on the back side of the plastic interior panels where the side latch striker plates go, there is a fine relief outline of where to trim them to accommodate the plates. It can be helpful if you want a clean installation without hacking the plastic panels to bits.

[Pyr0monk3y]

FYI, on the back side of the plastic interior panels where the side latch striker plates go, there is a fine relief outline of where to trim them to accommodate the plates. It can be helpful if you want a clean installation without hacking the plastic panels to bits.

Are you talking about trimming for aftermarket brackets or the stock striker plates? I seem to remember the trim is already cut from the factory for striker plates and has a little plug that you just pop off.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Trim for striker plates.

[—tsingson—]

I know on the NBs, there is a dotted outline on the inside of the panel where to cut. Not sure on NAs.

[— kung fu jesus —]

NAs have something similar.

[Duncan]

I found a how-to on it, looks fairly simple, now I have another project to take care of once I return. Thanks!