[quoteAbout how long was the total job to fit the top then the window?? We have the Florida/Georgia version of the Three Stooges: Marion Brantley, Charlie Asbell and Charlie Carpenter about to tackle this project in the next few weeks. Any special advice for us???
Thanks
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On the top itself I'm not sure if my experience/time would be relevant because the two tops and methods of mounting to the cars are quite different as I recall. Nevertheless Nick and I spent most of Thursday at Conclave mounting the hardtop securing hardware, fastening brackets, gaskets, etc to the top itself.
He and I spent about six hours on Friday installing the rear window. As I recall we fit/trimmed it five or six times, each time getting closer to correct (or so we thought). I do not know whether the BJ top shell is more rigid than the one for the 100 but a big problem (beyond the overtrimming) was that we "pushed" one side of the window opening a bit higher than the other and when we finished the window was not "square" and the whole top was high on the right side.
When I got home I pulled out the window and installed the stays very carefully, making sure that the opening was correct and they stiffened things up enough to where I could put the window back in without distorting the whole top. However the window was still too small.
When I got the replacement window from Nick I was a bit ahead of the game as I had a fairly accurate template from which to begin. Nevertheless it took four tries and about four hours.
The good news is that the moldings become more forgiving and easier to work with on each fitting. I used lots of Windex and several small screwdrivers to pry, push, etc. etc. I think it might have been helpful to have soaked all the rubber in warm soapy water for a while before starting.
Again I don't know anything about the BJ top, but on mine there is an "insert" rubber that goes into a small channel on the moldings after the window is in place. It really locks everything up tight. It requires a special tool to zip the insert into the molding--I was lucky to find one at an auto store and you may have to go to an auto glass shop to find or even see one. If you need one I will be happy to send you mine--it makes an otherwise impossible job very easy.
Lastly, I think that if you send Marion out for pizza you and the other Charlie should do it just fine. There is really only room for two people, though another gopher to pick up all the little pry tools, etc. might come in handy.
Have fun and let me know if I can help (from a distance). It is really rewarding when it all comes together.