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  • #1

    New rag top options

    So today (for the first time since I purchased it), I took off my hardtop ! Man, what a fun ride this car is with the roof down !!!

    Sadly, I do have some rot and tears in the rag top roof at the rear pillar around around the window. I never had the chance to see this when I bought the car :( . The mechanics of the top work fine thankfully. I can patch things with some Gorilla Tape temporarily.

    Now I need to explore a new roof. There is a couple of local shops I've spoken to for a previous car top on a Dodge. Looks like prices run around 1000 to 1200 usually in NNJ.

    Anyone have any pointers or guidance ? I'm fairly handy and an engineer, so could I do it myself if I bought the proper kit, a few friends and enough beer ?
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: New rag top options

    I think it would be less expensive to have a pro do it instead of buying enough beer for your friends to get it done. It could take a while.
    Seriously, experience is worth paying for when installing a top. Lots of stretching and pulling to get everything straight and fitting properly.

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    • #3
      Re: New rag top options

      Beer and top installation do not mix.

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      • #4
        Re: New rag top options

        Is that the voice of experience?

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        • #5
          Re: New rag top options

          I've installed 1 convertible top (not on a Tbird). I will never do it again. I almost ruined the top and needed to buy another one, which would have wiped out the cost savings. If you can buy one from a junk yard with little use and you can install the entire assembly, that might not be as bad, but you're dealing with old material that may go bad not long after you install it (assuming it's good when you get it)

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          • #6
            Re: New rag top options

            Originally posted by longbill View Post
            Is that the voice of experience?
            No, but I did see a guy wallpaper that way. Not a pretty sight.

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            • #7
              Re: New rag top options

              Originally posted by 007Cruiser View Post
              Beer and top installation do not mix.
              Beer and top removal do.... at least at Mardi Gras I hear..
              Bird is the word.....
              Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats. H. L. Mencken US editor (1880 - 1956)

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              • #8
                Re: New rag top options

                Seems to work for spring break too.

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                • #9
                  Re: New rag top options

                  Originally posted by RustyFrye View Post
                  Beer and top removal do.... at least at Mardi Gras I hear..
                  I like the way you think.
                  02 Nieman Marcus-SS htp-f/sil. #165 - 21 states-DC
                  02 TB-TB htp-p/blue acc.-Nancy Gioia-28 states-DC
                  03 007-Coral htp-f/white acc. #468 7 states
                  03 WW-WW htp-p/red 8 states
                  04 VMG-VMG htp-p/white - 20 states-DC
                  04 Merlot- Merlot htp-sand- B. Grassnig-48 states-DC
                  04 TR-TR htp-blk 20 states-DC
                  04 LIB-LIB htp-p/white 16 states-DC
                  05 Cashmere htp-stone #408 21 states-DC
                  05 Dusk Rose-DR htp-cashmere seats - 48&DC
                  05 IG-IG htp-p/white #82                   - 48&DC

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                  • #10
                    Re: New rag top options

                    Yes you can install it yourself if you have the shop manual and an open weekend. I did mine a couple of years ago.

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                    • #11
                      Re: New rag top options

                      This is one I wouldn't tackle. Like hanging sheetrock. The learning curve would be worth it if you plan to install many more in near future. Many years ago I learned enough about hanging sheet rock to hire it done 20 years later.

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                      • #12
                        Re: New rag top options

                        I love a challenge and take a lot of satisfaction from doing as much as I can on the car myself.

                        I always find that my second "cut" at any "fix" is always better and with some things it doesn't matter that much that I took too much time or had to repeat steps, or redo this or that.

                        On other things however, the possibility that I might make things worse or if it's one part of a "system" that I could screw up the whole thing, I usually take to someone who knows what they are doing.

                        Often I make that determination after I've started a "fix" and find that it's more complex or beyond me.

                        I don't do that on things that will disable the car however, it would be a big problem to take the car to someone else, if it's not running?

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                        • #13
                          Re: New rag top options

                          I agree with Dave, Brad and Ron on this one.

                          IF you manage to install it properly yourself, you will have earned any money saved.

                          If convertible top repair, installation and auto upholstery were easy enough for people to do on their own, why would there be so many shops that specialize in it?

                          When I was a teenager I wanted an expensive sport coat I saw at a trendy men's shop. Couldn't afford it, so I figured, "How hard could it be to make one myself?" I bought patterns, materials, a sewing machine, thread, and all that stuff and gave it my best shot. Complete disaster! My handiwork wouldn't have fit Quasimodo.

                          I ended up taking the whole mess to a local tailor to have him 'fix' my failed attempt.

                          For what I spent on materials and the sewing machine and paying the professional to fix it, I could have bought the one at the men's shop a couple times over.

                          People spend many years learning specialized trades and skills.

                          Have it done by a professional and enjoy the beer while you're admiring your new convertible top.

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                          • #14
                            Re: New rag top options

                            +1 for getting the whole top assembly from a wrecked one. I did that a few years ago. $600 and a day to put it in. Not hard just you will ache for days from stretching. As most of these cars are not driven much the one I bought looked brand new. My top guy here quoted $1900 for a top with Haartz cloth on it. If you can it one for the !k you mention I'd jump on it.

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                            • #15
                              Re: New rag top options

                              Well, based on my previous car (A Dodge convertible) and feedback from a friend who "spent 3 days and ended up taking to a convertible shop", I think I will start looking locally. There is a shop not far from here who quoted around a grand a few years back for my Dodge. I was studying it this morning, looks like a lot going on....and a lot to get right.

                              Thanks guys, this place rocks. BTW: This car is so quiet now (without the hard top creaking), it's amazing !!

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