Convertible top system for vehicle

Abstract

A retractable soft top system includes a support frame with a forward end and a rearward end. The rearward end is detachably and pivotably interconnected with the vehicle body at the rear of the passenger compartment. The support frame includes a latching member extending from the forward end. The latching member is operable to selectively engage an engagement feature on the windshield header so as to interconnect the forward end of the support frame with the header. A cover selectively covers a storage area behind the passenger compartment. The cover is pivotally supported such that the forward end moves upwardly to uncover at least a portion of the storage area. The cover has an underside with an engagement feature adjacent the forward end and a retaining latch spaced rearwardly therefrom. The support frame for the retractable soft top has a first position wherein it extends over the passenger compartment with the rearward end interconnected with the vehicle body and the forward end interconnected with the header. The support frame has a second, storage, position, wherein the latching member engages the engagement member on the underside of the cover and the rearward end of the support frame is retained adjacent the underside of the cover by the retaining latch.