Ok finally time for a new top...

[DaveB]

Well I've been puttin it off long enough, its time for a new top. Well I just found a guy that does it out of his garage and I know people that say he does great work. But anyway, what is the cost of the individual components? What Im looking at getting is a new top, new headliner (theres 1 hole thats pretty big that annoys the hells out of me ), and a new top motor as mine is soooo slow. I talked to a family friend that had this particular guy do the top on his Chevelle and he said that you can either provide all of the materials, or the guy can. What should I go with ? Would be nice to just tell him to get me a black top, new headliner, and motor and just drop the car off, but I dont want to get ripped off at the same time. Also where are the best places to get new tops, headliners, and motors? Thanks.

 

[DaveB]

Also, should I go with cloth or vinyl? Year One has a black vinyl for $113 while the cloth is $154. Is the cloth like the 03-04 Cobra top? Is the factory one vinyl? Thanks

 

[DaveB]

Ouch a new headliner is $222

Now will I need the power top cylinder? Id imagine the main thing that moves the top is the power top pump assembly? I plan on getting that anyway. Wow, is making me totally .

 

[TripleBlack95]

I replaced my top for my 95 last year - I got my hartz genuine OEM quality top from cal-mustang.com for around 180 shipped I believe (I might be off but it was under two hundo) - as for the motor no idea - but I do know that the rear window will run you around 250 at most places. Make sure when you replace it they tighten it down so it looks porportional and reseal the weather stripping - mine leaks and needs to be replaced and I had to get it tweaked here and there lookswise - hope this helps. Also might want to check the 2 metal wire harnesses (one on each side) that hold the top to the frame - I had to buy new ones from Ford (ran me around 39 each) since they were either far too old or broke upon replacing.

 

[DaveB]

Will I need to get the rear window replaced? The one I have now is tinted and Id rather not have to buy another if possible.

 

[DaveB]

ttt

How is the new top holding up?

 

[HazMat404]

well if you keep the back window, i can almost promise you that the tan is going to be a different color tan than the top. i got a new top about a year and a half ago and all of it brand new and put on was $450 but that was my uncle's shop and the insurance paid for it. its already starting to shread near the back 1/4 windows. im so sick of the crappy mustang design. just make sure you are happy when you leave and put the top up and down a few times just to make sure it doesnt get too tight when you put it back up. my buddy just had his done this last summer and he went cheapie and it pulls very hard up top. cant tell by looks but when you play with it a lil, you notice it

 

[DaveB]

Actually I plan on getting a black top. Mine too is shredding at the rear 1/4 windows. So bad you can see inside . But it is 10 years old what do I expect. I priced everything and it came to $725 . This things is dipping into potential mod money so much. Im going to have to work 65+ hours a week to afford an afr/fti/ebrock swap by the end of the summer. Did you replace the motor when you redid your top?

 

[TripleBlack95]

That price sounds about reasonable - I paid 500 for mine to be installed without the rear window plus cost of the top. They can check for you to see if your window needs to be replaced - mine was actually ripping apart from the actual top so I got a new window with defroster strips. Anyways good luck. I find the aftermarket tops to hold much better than the one the GT came with, and it still looks new with the help of some convert. top cleaner.

 

[TripleBlack95]

EDIT from ABOVE - I did get the rear window installed (stupid) - it was 250 for the window (they supplied), 250 for installation, and I had already bought the top. Sorry bout that.

 

[DaveB]

Actually that $725 was parts alone. From YearOne.com:


CT939BLK Convertible top without back window for 1994-2000 factory convertible Mustang, deluxe sail cloth top.
$154.00 $154.00
HL92 1994-1998 Mustang, black, aftermarket headliner.
$222.00 $222.00
TC96 1994-2000 Mustang, power top cylinder, aftermarket.
$144.00 $144.00
VP94 1994-2000 Mustang, power top pump assembly, aftermarket.
$205.00 $205.00
Subtotal: $725.00


It sucks this is going to be expensive as hell, but I want to it and not have to worry about it for another 10 years, ya know.


TripleBlack95, did you replace your motor?

 

[DaveB]

Well if I want another rear window Ill need another $205 for year one. Damn this is getting expensive .

Will I need to get a new rear window if I replace the top?

 

[GTPhreak]

get an 03/04 cobra cloth top for sure

 

[DaveB]

Well the one Im looking at getting from year one is cloth.

 

[bjl95mustang]

Actually that $725 was parts alone. From YearOne.com:


CT939BLK Convertible top without back window for 1994-2000 factory convertible Mustang, deluxe sail cloth top.
$154.00 $154.00
HL92 1994-1998 Mustang, black, aftermarket headliner.
$222.00 $222.00
TC96 1994-2000 Mustang, power top cylinder, aftermarket.
$144.00 $144.00
VP94 1994-2000 Mustang, power top pump assembly, aftermarket.
$205.00 $205.00
Subtotal: $725.00


It sucks this is going to be expensive as hell, but I want to it and not have to worry about it for another 10 years, ya know.


TripleBlack95, did you replace your motor?

All I did was replace my top and back window. The motors were fine and the head liner was in great shape. Just get the top and window and later if you want to replace the headliner they are just held on by screws.

 

[89 blue lx]

i was gonna say to go with a cloth top as well they look soooooo much better check them out

 

[DaveB]

Well my headliner has a big hole in that annoys the hell out of me . The motor is getting pretty slow, so I figured Id just swap it out. Its funny the times I've put the top down. Im always like "Cmon you can do it, cmon just a little bit more." It isnt that bad going down, but going up its pretty slow.

 

[Mrgreen94gt]

I've got clear packing tape holding my back window together. Not to mention a bunch of weird stains and what appears to be mildew that won't come off. There's also a very small burn hole, can't even figure that one out.

So much to fix, so little money these days.

At least the packing tape is holding up nicely.

 

[DaveB]

ttt

Anyone know the difference between the power top cylinder and power top pump assemby?

 

[94TURBO5 O]

Dave you can add oil to the top motor for more hydraulic pressure and see if that works. It's simple to do and justs requires removal of one bolt and addind oil. Try that before replacing the motor.