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Tips
Tips

Installing soft top

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MichaelJones

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I am thinking about getting a new top for my '76 Midget. Any recommendations on a good cloth top? And, how difficult a job is the installation? I might just ask my mechanic to order and install. Any advice, experience would be helpful.
 
I have installed a top on a 73 and a 71. I was nervous doing the job and I didn't pay a lot for the top. Punching the holes around the rear rail and pulling it tight is nerve racking (is it too loose or too tight, is it too far left or right). Then fastening to the header rail with the proper amount of tension so it is tight but not too tight drove me nuts too. In the end the 71 top I did years ago was fantastic. The one I did on my 73 a year ago I made to tight so after a while the seam started tearing on the driver's side of the header rail. If I was investing the money in a cloth top I would pay to have it done.

My 2 cents.
 
I'm with Shawn on that, if it's a couple hundred dollar vinyl top then sure - have at it as the hit wouldn't be a killer if you screw up.
If you are spending $600 plus on the top alone then pay someone to do it, let them absorb the risk.
Still, once you have done a top or two you should get the hang of it... :smile:
 
You know, it's not THAT much more money to have someone do it professionally. Robbins, for example, maintains a list (on their website) of shops by zip-code that will do the work. As I recall, they may also list the book-time to do the work. I think it's money well spent (especially if you're going to struggle to do this by yourself).
:yesnod:
 
If you do it yourself it is critical to mark the center of the top front and back and the car center as well. Before you attach to the front header rail stretch and mark where it breaks over the header rail. A tad loose is probably better than to tight.

Kurt.
 
Do what I did. I bought the best vinyl top money can buy, put it in my closet six years ago and I haven't looked back.

Wasted money IMO as I never drive the car when it might rain.
 
I installed a new top on my '76 last year. Got the cheapest one from LBC Co. with a zip-out rear window. (It was on sale.) This was the first time I'd attempted anything like it, and it was easy peasy.

<span style="color: #CC0000">Voice of Experience:</span> Measure twice and cut once, take your time, if it's vinyl do it on a hot summer day in the shade, put it on hot and don't stretch it too tight. It's not a difficult thing to do at all. Don't go to extremes trying to get it drum-tight; that'll cause trouble later when it gets cold. Just put it on snug enough so that the wrinkles are pulled out.

You can carve the Tenax holes with an exacto knife if you're careful, and install the Tenaxes with snap-ring pliers. The snaps and snap-anvils can be bought at Wal-Mart.

Use chalk to mark the top's center line. Use spray adhesive to position the top at the front rail before riveting it down.

<span style="color: #CC0000">Fun stuff to try:</span> Instead of screwing the retaining bar down through the back edge of the top, screw the retaining bar right to the car itself...Then install snaps on the back edge, and snap the top down to the bar. You can then fold the top down without putting any stress at all on the windows. I did it this way, and it works a treat. Gerard has kindly put my tutorial on "folding a zip-window convertible top" up on his website and you can get a good look at what I mean.

<span style="color: #CC0000">Stuff I would do differently:</span> I'd try installing the top to the header rail with sheet metal screws instead of rivets. It'd be a lot less trouble when the time comes to replace the top next time.

My two cents is to do it yourself. The reward of personal pride in the results is worth it IMHO. Don't underestimate the "I did it myself" factor!
 
bthompson said:
My two cents is to do it yourself. The reward of personal pride in the results is worth it IMHO. Don't underestimate the "I did it myself" factor!
Click to expand...

:iagree: I redid the top on my '89 Mustang LX 2 summers ago and it came out great. I was a little anxious when I started,but I took my time, and pictures as I was removing the old top. Having an air powered upholsterer's stapler really helped a lot, but it can be done with an ordinary stapler...on the Mustang that is.
 
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