I believe its getting about the time to get a new convertible top , mine is 12 years old and still looks somewhat o.k( I'm very nit-picky). My question is : # 1 How hard is it to do on your own? #2 How much in labor , if I get a shop to do it , should it run? #3 And if there is a guide to show you step by step how to, I would really appreciate some good advise.

 

Here's a couple links that alot of guys get theirs from.
http://www.convertibletopguys.com/cg...at.cgi?cat=268

http://aabestco.com/merchant.ihtml?id=972&step=2

The first link comes with a instruction manual, I can't imagine it being too hard. If you remove your old one yourself you will have the knowledge of knowing how it goes back together. I've been planning on doing my own top replacement in the near future, I'm probably gonna go with the first link I posted up here.

 

Thanks droptop z for the response, I will be giving that link some close attention . I have been told that the labor actually is pretty extensive and does run a pretty penny. But you are correct if you can pull it apart , you can get it back together. Just may take a little patience, but patience is a lot easier on my wallet. Keep us up on your progress , I am in no super hurry ,but this is going to be my next project.

 

I had my top replace by a friend who owns a local shop. It cost me about $1000 installed. He only replaced the main top. The section around the window is a separate piece.

 

I'd love to see if anyone has any experience pulling the canvas off and putting new canvas on...

 

Yeah, me as well I will just have to keep my eye on this thread.Hopefully someone here will have some experience in doing this before and could elaborate a little

 

I've done it several times, on different cars. Most recently I did a pair of 94 Camaros this past spring and summer. It's not a simple thing to do like a mechanical repair. Once you get it off, the new one doesn't just simply go right back on. There is a lot of measuring, stretching and stapling/tacking involved. If you don't get it on right you end up with wrinkles and misalignment that looks bad.

I too had an old top in great shape but a rodent (I suspect) chewed a hole in it. I bought my new top on Ebay for about 450 (window, pads and all) and put it on my car. Then I repaired the hole in my old top and installed it on my mom's car. Hers was in worse shape than my original.

The cheapest place around here was like 1100-1200, such a rip off. Thank God I could do mine myself. Good luck if you attempt it on your own. Just give yourself lots of time and a place to keep the car when the top is removed if you run out of time. It will likey take you several hours.

 

Sorry guys I forgot to add that if you want to tackle this job yourself I'd be glad to shoot out advice wherever needed. Here are a few pics from when I did mine in the spring. FYI, those top places that were linked up in the top of this thread are over priced. I bought the Haartz stayfast canvas "original equipment" top with pads, cables and heated rear glass for about 480-490 shipped. I bought it on Ebay, I can't recall the seller but they had a bunch of auctions going. The hideous pink shutters are NOT my house but the poor decor of the neighbors

Enjoy!
Ryan


http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...5/DSCN0261.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...5/DSCN0262.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...5/DSCN0264.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...5/DSCN0260.jpg

 

Gracias my freind, will get back with you in the future when I do attempt this.

 

subscribing

 

If you have a few more pictures of the new top/curtain/pads going on, please post them. Those are the best pics I've seen of the top coming off! The eventual cost of replacing the top and repainting will play a big part in deciding if I'm going to keep my Z or move on to a roadster.

THANK YOU!