Installing a convertible top is HARD

donjohn · Feb 21, 2004

Installed a convertible top myself

Me and my dad installed a new top on my '94 gt today- It can be done. I thought we were gonna be able to do other stuff too, but the job took like 9 hours. It was the first time either of us had done it so I expected it to take a while but now that long. But it was well worth the savings of like $500 of a professional install.

If anybody has any questions about it i'd be happy to answer em. I was going to take a bunch of pictures to like make a guide but I forgot my camera at home .

The top looks great though and maybe i'll put up some pics of the top after i get it back from getting painted.

Killercanary · Feb 22, 2004

Congrats, I here that a pretty big project to tackle if you haven't done it before. Did you have instructions or anything? If it can be done, I want an '03 cobra convertible top for my car when it gets replaced, they feel so cool!!!

sams66 · Feb 22, 2004

I just got quoted hear in Toledo, 389 for top and labor replaced, using my old window. dont know why it is so cheap but not complaining either.

getinaGTsoon · Feb 22, 2004

sams66 said:
I just got quoted hear in Toledo, 389 for top and labor replaced, using my old window. dont know why it is so cheap but not complaining either.

You can buy tops online and they are cheap, the glass is kind of expensive though.

BTW post creator.. what tools did you have to use during the install ??

donjohn · Feb 22, 2004

Actually I bought my top off ebay and installed it without any directions-Just remember where all the screws and staples go. The top was $120. Actually the window was going to be expensive to replace since mine had ripped away from the vinal but I went to home depot and bought some contact cement and glued the window back on. It looks great, I just have to razor blade the glue i dripped.

donjohn · Feb 22, 2004

getinaGTsoon said:
You can buy tops online and they are cheap, the glass is kind of expensive though.

BTW post creator.. what tools did you have to use during the install ??

Tools... now thats a pretty long list.
First I had to drill out the #9 torx screws that wouldn't come out then rivet them on at the end. Umm next, make sure you have a needle nose and plyers for the cable, unless your going to cut it out then you just need a dike. Also i think i used a phillips and a flat head screwdriver for either screws or prying something. There was also a larger torx I used probably a #20 torx, but I don't remember which size. Staplegun with short staples is a must. Also there were some nuts that needed the metric 12 point socket size 13, and 6 point sockets too. I'll try to give you the names and numbers of the sockets later if I go look at what i used. I also used contact cement for the glass window cuz mine ripped away. I think thats pretty much it.

So here's the list:
-#9 torx
-#20 torx (i think)
-phillips (long shaft)
-flat head
-rivit gun
-drill
-staplegun with short staples
-metric 12 point socket size 13
-metric 6 point socket size ?
-dike (optional)

anything else i remember i'll update later

Merkstang · Feb 22, 2004

donjohn said:
Tools... now thats a pretty long list.
First I had to drill out the #9 torx screws that wouldn't come out then rivet them on at the end. Umm next, make sure you have a needle nose and plyers for the cable, unless your going to cut it out then you just need a dike. Also i think i used a phillips and a flat head screwdriver for either screws or prying something. There was also a larger torx I used probably a #20 torx, but I don't remember which size. Staplegun with short staples is a must. Also there were some nuts that needed the metric 12 point socket size 13, and 6 point sockets too. I'll try to give you the names and numbers of the sockets later if I go look at what i used. I also used contact cement for the glass window cuz mine ripped away. I think thats pretty much it.

So here's the list:
-#9 torx
-#20 torx (i think)
-phillips (long shaft)
-flat head
-rivit gun
-drill
-staplegun with short staples
-metric 12 point socket size 13
-metric 6 point socket size ?
-dike (optional)

anything else i remember i'll update later

Hey thanks for the advice!! I want to do my top too but I am alittle worried about it.... I have been doing a ton of thing myself and it seems better that way it hard to find GOOD shops and also the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ to find a GOOD place, I seem to be better on my own. Maybe Illl be trying it later this year.
I want the CLOTH Cobra03 style too I just need the Tan like the 40th Vert.

donjohn · Feb 23, 2004

I can see why the conv. top installation is so much because I wouldn't do somebody else's top for anything less than like $150. And my top looks damn good, course it could be b/c the old one was torn and sun faded so anything would look better.

Eric94GTvert · Feb 23, 2004

Pics, Pics, Pics. Congrats on the install. When it's time to do mine, I made up my mind already to bite the bullet and have a pro do it. I like working on my car and all, but I think I would get frustrated with it and end up taking it to a shop anyway. Can only imagine how hideous a poorly installed top would look.

Merkstang · Feb 23, 2004

Chopped Liver said:
Pics, Pics, Pics. Congrats on the install. When it's time to do mine, I made up my mind already to bite the bullet and have a pro do it. I like working on my car and all, but I think I would get frustrated with it and end up taking it to a shop anyway. Can only imagine how hideous a poorly installed top would look.

Where do you plan on going??? Im in Allentown!! I want to have mine done but Ive been playing with the Idea of "learning" how to do it....
We should get together and do YOUR car first...
............................................

Eric94GTvert · Feb 23, 2004

Merkstang said:
Where do you plan on going??? Im in Allentown!! I want to have mine done but Ive been playing with the Idea of "learning" how to do it....
We should get together and do YOUR car first...
............................................

HeHe... Maybe I'll take you up on that offer. We'll experiment putting the top on my car, then we can practice painting on your cobra.

I didn't price any local shops yet but,
the ideal place for a top around here seems to be Sabitini Coachworks. Sabitini Coachworks They do custom interiors and tops mostly for high dollar exotics. I have seen some of their work and it is show winning quality. Of course for custom work it's not going to be a cheap endeavor. They can accommodate for what ever price range the buyer is looking for.

Merkstang · Feb 23, 2004

Chopped Liver said:
HeHe... Maybe I'll take you up on that offer. We'll experiment putting the top on my car, then we can practice painting on your cobra.

I didn't price any local shops yet but,
the ideal place for a top around here seems to be Sabitini Coachworks. Sabitini Coachworks They do custom interiors and tops mostly for high dollar exotics. I have seen some of their work and it is show winning quality. Of course for custom work it's not going to be a cheap endeavor. They can accommodate for what ever price range the buyer is looking for.

Funny that you brough up the Paint work.... My Bumper is gettin a chin spoiler from shinoda, Im doing the Side exhaust with the skirts, and probably side scoops too. My friend is painting them for me... Hes good though
As for the top Keep me posted Id be very interested in seeing how much they want I got 2 prices of 1,600 for the Top rear window pannel and install. That is the CLOTH top. I really do want to try myself though... Im jsut afraid of getting while doing it.... I love my car tooooo much

donjohn · Apr 3, 2004

i have some pics now in my sig--- anybody needs more just email me

Slow5.0 · Apr 3, 2004

Do you have any instructions , I will have to change my top in a few weeks

Merkstang · Apr 3, 2004

when I go to the 40th show Ill ask one of the Magazine guys, (jeff Ford) and see if they can do a "how Too" artical on it.... they can use MINE as the Project car...
No really I will ask it would be Very good since our cars are getting up there in age.

donjohn · Apr 3, 2004

i forgot my camera at my house when i was doin the job so i have no pics...

As for instructions, just reverse disassembly-- that's how i did it. It's really pretty basic job just very time consuming. As long as you have all the tools that i mentioned then you should be fine.

I'm not sure if i mentioned this before but when i started i had to drill out the torx screws after breaking 2-3 torx screwdriver bits (i bought 3 of the same size). Then on the other end i just riveted the holes which was like the last step

If you've got the money to have somebody else do this, thats what I would recommend. I'm one of the most frugal people around so that's why i went with DIY. If i had like $400 to spare i would have definitely paid someone else, after realizing the effort involved and pain in my back after completion.

Mrgreen94gt · Apr 3, 2004

The top replacement job is something that I HAVE to do soon and I'm really dreading it. My top currently looks like hell which is a pretty bad contrast to the way the rest of the car looks. The headliner needs something done with it too.

Verts rule, except when they suck. I guess this is the part that sucks.

VANWALL · Apr 3, 2004

SAMs66

When are you going to get your top replaced?

I live about 2 hrs from Toledo and I'm thinking about making an appt and having the Toledo shop replace my top. I called and talked to the shop and found out they can also put a canvas top on for more $$.

I haven't followed up yet since the car is still in the garage from winter.

GTPTim · Apr 13, 2004

Hey man,
I guess my questions would be where do you even START? I'm doing mine tomorrow, and don't even know where to start ripping. Maybe the back? Hmmmm..
How do you make it tight? Where do you start the reinstallation etc? thanks!!!

Hilton · Jul 9, 2005

I sent a pm to Chris (donjohn) yesterday about installing a new top on a 1994 Mustang. He is awesome and directed me to this. I'm printing it as I type this. It appears to be very well written and there are lots of pictures.

I like cake!

Might I add that he ROCKS~?
Thanks again!

<edit> almost tricked me there with the spaces in the link.

I'd probably sticky this if I had a Mustang site

Installing a convertible top is HARD

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