Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 26

Thread: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

  1. #1
    3Geez Veteran MessyHonda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Vehicle
    89 LX-i(5speed)
    Location
    Bay Area
    Posts
    22,201

    How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    The purpose of this write up is a guide on how to install the CheddasAuto Top hats. Ive done my suspension couple of times but this was a first for me and for many members. The reason why top hats work is to extend the suspension travel with out bottoming out the shock. works good on lowered cars. I went when a Koni yellow shock from the 1988-1991 Honda Civic. For coil over’s I went with Ground Control because they make a kit that fits the koni Yellows. For the front springs I got a 7inch spring with a 440 LB spring rate. I also picked up Prothane urethane bushings for the top hats.
    Tools needed:
    Jack, jackstands, socket wrench with extensions. Vice grip. Drill and a 2 1/8 hole saw.

    First: loosen up the lug nuts then jack up the car. Take off the tire and take off the lower bolt I believe it’s a 17. You might need some PB blaster because some of these bolts can rust and it can be hard to take off. A few years back I bought brand new screws and bolts when I redid my front end. Take off the brake lines bolted to the shock. Take off the 14 from the bottom of the shock and take out the pitch fork. Then loosen up the top 3 bolts that hold the shock to the shock tower. Lower the shock with spring.
    On top you will have to bend in the 3 tabs with a vice grip.

    Top hat install tab removal - YouTube
    This is where you will need a drill with a 2 1/8th inch hole saw. You will need to drill the hole bigger because the Chedda top hats will not clear the stock hole size.
    Cutting bigger holes for top hat install - YouTube
    Im testing the fit and making sure the top hat fits.

    Had to drill out the holes on my dc strut bar because the holes are a bit small and would not fit on right.
    Had the konis set up on the lowest firmness and now that I took it out for a sprinted drive I had to adjust them to 75% firm.

    Car on the lowest setting. Took it out for a drive and it was way too low. My downpipe was not made for car this low.

    1989 Honda Accord LX-i
    B18c1 swap since 7/2011
    175whp and 132tq
    Redzone tuned



  2. #2
    3Geez Veteran MessyHonda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Vehicle
    89 LX-i(5speed)
    Location
    Bay Area
    Posts
    22,201

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide





    how low can you go?
    i can still go about 3/4 inch lower because of my front cut pitch fork and I can adjust the koni to the lower Perch

    1989 Honda Accord LX-i
    B18c1 swap since 7/2011
    175whp and 132tq
    Redzone tuned

  3. #3
    3Geez Veteran
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Vehicle
    88coupe
    Location
    Marietta, Ga
    Posts
    4,084

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    hell yea man! great write up. I think ill get around to doing this soon!

    also what exactly is the tophat bushing called? Everything is shock mount this, upper shock bushing that. it makes me mad not being able to just find it, even on rock auto.
    Last edited by Tdurr; 02-17-2014 at 10:53 PM.

    Quote Originally Posted by CAH View Post
    pullin up turbo spoolin fast lookin fly like a 3g like a 3g like a 3g

  4. #4
    SEi User obd0driver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Vehicle
    89/accord/lxi
    Location
    San Leandro, California, United States
    Posts
    1,029

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    Well put. It's was fun working on it. Now it's time for the rear!!!!!

  5. #5
    3Geez Veteran MessyHonda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Vehicle
    89 LX-i(5speed)
    Location
    Bay Area
    Posts
    22,201

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    the part number for the top hat bushings are 8901 for the front and 8902 for the rear. I got them from Prothane suspension parts.

    1989 Honda Accord LX-i
    B18c1 swap since 7/2011
    175whp and 132tq
    Redzone tuned

  6. #6

    2ndGenGuy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Vehicle
    1981 Accord Hatchback, 1984 Accord Sedan
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Posts
    9,697

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    Nice write up! Sticky!

  7. #7
    2.0Si User SQ is the SQUAD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2001
    Vehicle
    1989 LXI Coupe Kswap, 1989 LXI Bswap
    Location
    Boston MA
    Posts
    2,860

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    i am just seeing these for the first time today. i think i need the front and rear.
    Style Quality Uniqueness And Design
    S.Q.U.A.D. Engineering
    www.squadengineering.com

    http://www.facebook.com/squadengineering

  8. #8
    3Geez Veteran MessyHonda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Vehicle
    89 LX-i(5speed)
    Location
    Bay Area
    Posts
    22,201

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    Finally got around do doing the Rear...Pics




    that is the Tophat for the rear with the justin rear strut bar.

    1989 Honda Accord LX-i
    B18c1 swap since 7/2011
    175whp and 132tq
    Redzone tuned

  9. #9
    DX User 89akord's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Posts
    36

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    What rear Koni shocks do you have? Like what car are those for?
    Using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    SEi User obd0driver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Vehicle
    89/accord/lxi
    Location
    San Leandro, California, United States
    Posts
    1,029

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    Same as the front

  11. #11
    DX User 89akord's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Posts
    36

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    Also for 89-91 Civic? Wish I would have known I could use this suspension setup earlier.
    Last edited by 89akord; 01-01-2015 at 09:53 PM.
    Using Tapatalk

  12. #12
    SEi User obd0driver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Vehicle
    89/accord/lxi
    Location
    San Leandro, California, United States
    Posts
    1,029

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    Correct. You'll have to use spacers (washers) and longer bolts from the ef to make them work

  13. #13
    DX User 89akord's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Posts
    36

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    Longer bolts for the tophats?
    Using Tapatalk

  14. #14
    DX User 89akord's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Posts
    36

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    and would that be 89-91 GC Sleeves as well or will any year work?
    Using Tapatalk

  15. #15
    SEi User obd0driver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Vehicle
    89/accord/lxi
    Location
    San Leandro, California, United States
    Posts
    1,029

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    The longer bolts are to the shocks because there further apart the the stock 3geez. We didn't try other year's sleeves as these were made with special spring rate for the 3geez.

  16. #16
    DX User 89akord's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Posts
    36

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    Oh ok thank you


    Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
    Using Tapatalk

  17. #17
    DX User
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Vehicle
    1988 Hona Accord Hatch
    Location
    Louisville, Kentucky, United States
    Posts
    1

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    The rear top hat suspension didn't work for me the circumference of the bushing didn't match the top hat #8902

  18. #18
    SEi User obd0driver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Vehicle
    89/accord/lxi
    Location
    San Leandro, California, United States
    Posts
    1,029

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    You need the 97 lude bushings for that stock top hat's they will fit

  19. #19
    LX User Fixedit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Vehicle
    1986 LXi Sedan - 1972 F250 C/S - 1987 DX Hatch - 1977 Skylark S/R (Sold) - 2001 Hyundai Accent GS (Sold) - 1981 Suzuki GS450 (Sold)
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    449

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    Okay so I'm trying to confirm a parts list, and have a question about that last issue, the '97 Prelude bushings for the stock(?) top hat. Do you have a part number?

    So far I have this;

    These springs, with the Koni Sport (+$40) option
    Ground Control - Coilover Conversion kit, 86-89 Honda Accord

    The Koni Sport (Yellow, first option) Shocks for 88 Civic (Front and rear)
    Koni North America - ITT

    These Bushing kits
    Cart - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

    And of course the Cheddas top hats (as well as the upper control arms)
    Web Store


    What else do I need? What are the '97 Prelude top hat bushings you mentioned? Thanks

  20. #20
    3Geez Veteran MessyHonda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Vehicle
    89 LX-i(5speed)
    Location
    Bay Area
    Posts
    22,201

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    Quote Originally Posted by Fixedit View Post
    Okay so I'm trying to confirm a parts list, and have a question about that last issue, the '97 Prelude bushings for the stock(?) top hat. Do you have a part number?

    So far I have this;

    These springs, with the Koni Sport (+$40) option
    Ground Control - Coilover Conversion kit, 86-89 Honda Accord

    The Koni Sport (Yellow, first option) Shocks for 88 Civic (Front and rear)
    Koni North America - ITT

    These Bushing kits
    Cart - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

    And of course the Cheddas top hats (as well as the upper control arms)
    Web Store


    What else do I need? What are the '97 Prelude top hat bushings you mentioned? Thanks

    I used 88 civic ground controls to match the shocks. for the rear busshings i used 5th gen prelude stock replacement rear top hat busshing and it worked just fine. I did order shorter springs in the front 7 inch but you can get away with 8 or 9 inch spring if you want to preload your front spring. for the rear i used a 9 inch spring because the shock of the civic is way shorter than the stock accord one. Im lowered about 2.5-3 inch in the front and 2in in the rear.

    1989 Honda Accord LX-i
    B18c1 swap since 7/2011
    175whp and 132tq
    Redzone tuned

  21. #21
    LX User Fixedit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Vehicle
    1986 LXi Sedan - 1972 F250 C/S - 1987 DX Hatch - 1977 Skylark S/R (Sold) - 2001 Hyundai Accent GS (Sold) - 1981 Suzuki GS450 (Sold)
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    449

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    Alright, so revised list then

    These springs, 7" 440lb front and 9" rear
    Ground Control - Coilover Conversion kit, 88-91 Honda Civic/CRX(CUSTOM RATES)


    The Koni Yellows
    Koni North America - ITT


    These two bushing kits
    Prothane Motion Control 8-901 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing
    Prothane Motion Control 8-902 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing


    The '97 (5th gen Prelude) rear upper shock bushings
    MOOG MOOG-K9498 - Upper Rear Shock Mount Bushings made by MOOG


    Top hats, UCA's, and LCA's (cheddas webstore link not working, don't know the LCA cost)
    http://www.cheddasauto.com/apps/webs...s/show/5170303
    http://www.cheddasauto.com/apps/webs...s/show/4369657


    Price;
    $349.00 Springs
    $528.96 Shocks
    $48.84 Poly bushings
    $46.50 Rear upper shock bushings
    $250.00 Top hat kit
    $230.00 UCA's
    $200-300 LCA's

    Looking at the $1,500 to $2,000 range, to properly lower your 3g. Dayum chigga

  22. #22
    LX User 2ndTimeHondaOwner's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Vehicle
    86 Accord DX four-door sedan
    Location
    Yakima, WA
    Posts
    144

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    Quote Originally Posted by Fixedit View Post
    Alright, so revised list then

    These springs, 7" 440lb front and 9" rear
    Ground Control - Coilover Conversion kit, 88-91 Honda Civic/CRX(CUSTOM RATES)


    The Koni Yellows
    Koni North America - ITT


    These two bushing kits
    Prothane Motion Control 8-901 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing
    Prothane Motion Control 8-902 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing


    The '97 (5th gen Prelude) rear upper shock bushings
    MOOG MOOG-K9498 - Upper Rear Shock Mount Bushings made by MOOG


    Top hats, UCA's, and LCA's (cheddas webstore link not working, don't know the LCA cost)
    http://www.cheddasauto.com/apps/webs...s/show/5170303
    http://www.cheddasauto.com/apps/webs...s/show/4369657


    Price;
    $349.00 Springs
    $528.96 Shocks
    $48.84 Poly bushings
    $46.50 Rear upper shock bushings
    $250.00 Top hat kit
    $230.00 UCA's
    $200-300 LCA's

    Looking at the $1,500 to $2,000 range, to properly lower your 3g. Dayum chigga
    That's why I'm going with KSports, as soon as I get the $845 https://www.3geez.com/forum/how/7188-...ain-relay.html

  23. #23
    LX User 2ndTimeHondaOwner's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Vehicle
    86 Accord DX four-door sedan
    Location
    Yakima, WA
    Posts
    144

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide


  24. #24
    LX User Fixedit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Vehicle
    1986 LXi Sedan - 1972 F250 C/S - 1987 DX Hatch - 1977 Skylark S/R (Sold) - 2001 Hyundai Accent GS (Sold) - 1981 Suzuki GS450 (Sold)
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    449

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    Hahaha man, always you and links haha.

    And oh wow, is that everything you need right there? Also I'd still want to use the top hats and UCA/LCA's, to prevent bottoming out shocks and to correct camber and what not. So still expensive but not as bad

  25. #25
    LX User 2ndTimeHondaOwner's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Vehicle
    86 Accord DX four-door sedan
    Location
    Yakima, WA
    Posts
    144

    Re: How To: Cheddasauto Front Top Hat Installation Guide

    Everything I've read about them suggests that they are a all in one kit, with chamber adjustments built into the top of the shock. Next year (March or April) when I get my 15 year bonus from work I'll be able to tell you how they work.

Similar Threads

  1. Extended Top Hats and such- Cheddasauto
    By chedda_jsauto in forum For Sale
    Replies: 80
    Last Post: 01-31-2014, 11:41 AM
  2. Cheddasauto - Rear Camber Plates
    By chedda_jsauto in forum 2geez Accords
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 12-22-2013, 03:00 PM
  3. Front UCA installation
    By Dr_Snooz in forum Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 09-15-2008, 08:29 PM
  4. Justin86' front strut bar installation help! pics too.
    By Busted_Blue in forum Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: 03-07-2005, 01:38 PM
  5. Front speaker installation on 88 lxi
    By krott5333 in forum Interior & Exterior Care
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 06-09-2003, 03:44 AM

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
This website uses cookies
We use cookies to store session information to facilitate remembering your login information, to allow you to save website preferences, to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners.
     
Links monetized by VigLink