Never had a convertible. If I ordered a new on and I am fairly handy around tools and cars. Shouls I attempt the install? Just don't want to mess it up. Oh and save cash. Thanks Rich
It can be done at home, my brother has done it, and my friend Dave, he had a video on how to do it so search online you'll probably find something to help!
I have had several quotes for my '71 Skylark in the $1200 to $1500 range. This includes a new heavy weight top, well liner, pads, springs and so on. I watched a convertible top installation on (Hot Rod?) TV a few months ago, thinking I could do it myself. After watching a pro do it I figured I am best off letting a pro do it - it did not look easy. Mine is scheduled for installation next week.
I thought about doing mine, but then I chickened out and had a pro do it. I'm sure glad I did, because he said the last top was installed incorrectly and had actually started to flex the body of the car. They spent 2 days just trying to line everything back up again. I just got it back today, with the new top, and voila! The vibration I had at 70 plus is gone, and the car "feels" better. I've had the car at numerous driveline shops, they could never find the problem because whenever the car was on the hoist the top catches were popped, and the body was unloaded so the problem couldn't be sourced. It's amazing what an inch here and an inch there will do for the line of the car. Now the windows fit and there's no wind noise anymore either. I think it's worth the extra money to pay someone who knows what he's doing, because then at least you've got a warranty and the satisfaction that the job was done right. The shop I took my car to has been doing convertible tops since the '60s, so I think they know what they're doing.
Would you be willing to share with us how much it cost you to have the top replaced (in U.S. dollars)?
Compared to the numbers I'm seeing here, a lot. It cost me $3 K...2K for the top and $1K for all the labour. The 2K included everything; - new top, pads, header bows, tack-strips, and a boot-well cover. So basically the whole top was stripped off to the frame and replaced. The labour was a bit more expensive than anticipated due to the aligning problems they encountered. The only change I made was that I opted for a laminated rear glass window; - I didn't want the zipper contraption that would have originally come with the car. However, I shouldn't have to look at doing it again for the rest of the car's life. And yes, I'm very happy with it, even though it cost a small fortune. It was also the cheapest quote that I got around here. This same company did a top for me 15 years ago when I owned a 67 Wildcat, and that top worked and still looked new when I sold the car 3 years ago.
Thank you for the comparison information. I did forget to add that the quotes I got did include a new glass window. It is also good to hear that your top lasted for as long as it did. Did you do anything special to get the top to last that long?
Nope; - just washed it with mild soap and water. The car did spend the majority of its time in the garage though. They tell me constant exposure to sunlight will ruin a top within 7 years, so I made sure mine spent a lot of time in the garage. Having only 2 months of summer makes keeping it in the garage so much easier too.
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_0712_install_convertible_top/index.html good article on top install. Get a Fisher Body Manual as well.
I rented the video from Hydro-Electric...After making a copy I returned it and they refunded my deposit. YES..you can do it!
