musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

Well more like 2 videos, anyway you guys might have seen this in my earlier thread, but I thought I'd post a specific thread so you can see for yourself what's involved with replacing a top on an ASC 'vert. That and a few more hits on the videos couldn't hurt lol. I did this without any experience with this stuff at all. With that said, if I can do it, I'm sure you can too and save yourselves a lot of money.

Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeeX4ZltVSE
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai5IJKakvS8

yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

I will try it myself soon. I want to have my car painted when the new Ram Air hood comes in. Then the top

9340Ruby

iTrader: (7)

Thanks for taking the time and posting this. I am about to change mine and I really appreciate you showing the details.

blakecharles

I just got a 50" top w/ glass from tops online for about $500. I was quoted another $500 to install it. I also got the convertible weatherstrip kit from A1... also for $500....

That would have been $1500 just for the top (and I think I'm missing a few parts). The car was only $1300 to start with... lol!!! This video helped BIGTIME!!! I will post a vid of my install in this thread as well.

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

Good to see someone benefiting from this! I got a regular canvas top with a plastic window which ran me about $370, plus $100 for the weatherstripping, and probably around $25 for random things, like the glue, solvents, tape, etc. So it looks like I'm in the hole for just under $500 for this project. Definitely more if I replaced all of the weatherstripping. I just can't imagine the crazy amount of money I would have lost if I had shops do all of the work on my car for me!

Oh and here's an update: One of the metal tabs on the rear bow seal ripped off of the seal probably a couple weeks after I installed it. Fortunately, just a quick phone call to Metro resulted in a new piece showing up at my doorstep about a week later totally free of charge. I'll install it soon.

blakecharles

I'm using your video as a guide... My laptop is outside with the car
The car had an LS1 top and no weather stripping on it when I got it... It didn't fit AT ALL!!

9340Ruby

iTrader: (7)

Good Luck!!

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

LS1 top? What was the PO even thinking?! Good luck with your project!

blakecharles

can someone give me the measurements of the metal rods that go inside the pockets of the top (one for each bow I think?? There are none, I will have to have some metal cut and drill holes.

blakecharles

I installed 4 tops with this vid.... your guide is nearly flawless...

I used a grinder to clean the rear bow (see left and right)


I used a SH*TTy vinyl top w/glass for my own car. All 3 other tops went on properly but this one did not fit. I had to re-adjust the 4th bow (due to the LS1 top), but the new top sags around the glass (maybe because the glass is too heavy for the vynel or the top just has a bad cut). I stretched it on as tight as I could, clamped it and left it for a few days... but this is the best that I could get it....

<I need to take a pic!! lol!! BRB>

I'm not happy with tops online

blakecharles

This is what you can expect when working with a vinyl top. Notice the rivet heads tore right through the top... You would not have this problem with a canvas/cloth top, this stuff is paper thin, the slightest tug will cause this...

Because the top tore where the origional rivet was, I had to install a new one next to it.... As you can see, the new one looks as if it's going to come off... and it did..

yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

I have a tops on line stayfast top that I havent installed yet. I hope it is better.

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

Here you go! You'll need 2 of them, both identical. I believe they were for the 2nd and 3rd bows... double check with the video because I remember mentioning that there.



As for the quality of the tops you ordered, have you considered calling them and complaining? That sucks to see it rip, I'd throw a fit if mine did especially considering how crucial that part is to keep everything aligned. My top seems to be a good quality piece, my only complaints are the light wrinkles at the corners which I mentioned at the end of the 2nd part, and the pocket for the 2nd bow rod doesn't line up well with that bow. If I try to bolt it down, the top gets stretched pretty awkwardly. For me it was about 1/2 an inch too far back, so I'll have to improvise with that.

And thanks for the compliments!

Mitch91Z28

Best. Videos. Ever.

Mooses92

tyvm for this video!

91 Droptop

I just ordered the entire weatherstrip package for my vert from Metro including the hood to cowl seal, how did you like the quality? I will be doing the glass top as well from Tops on Line thanks for taking the time to help the rest of us out with the video.

Da Spudro

Thanks for the videos. will be helpful down the road.

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

I'm glad to see that everyone's putting these videos to good use!

As for your question Drop Top, I'm pretty happy with Metro and their rear bow seal that I used. One of the metal tabs actually ripped off of mine and it was flopping around, I tried gluing it but that didn't last long at all. However, I called Metro and they sent me a new one right away with no questions asked and I didn't even have to send the old one back. The new one has been on the car for close to three months now with no trouble at all! +1 for their customer service.

blakecharles

dude, the top is on my car. YOUR VIDEO SAVED ME $500-$700 IN INSTALLATION FEES + cost of the top. This needs to be in a sticky.

still not happy with tops online (got the top 2 yrs ago and just now getting around to installing it), it's hard to complain in this type of situation. BUT it has a lifetime warranty agents factory defects. They will be getting a call soon!!

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

Haha thanks, I guess it's up to the mods to decide if this is sticky material or not. As for your top issues, two years is definitely a while to say something but a top should last much longer than that anyway so I'd definitely talk to them. I see that you've got an interesting project going, did you start a thread on it?

blakecharles

yes I did. it's an LS1/T56 swap + restore.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-lsx/571898-blakes-lsx-swap-pic-1.html


I got all my weatherstrip from A1auto. It can all be purchased individually, but I got the kit. It included every piece of weather strip with the exception of the inner and outer window sweeps and the strips that go around the tail lights (you wont need that any way)....

Anyway... this is the best price you will ever find all these pieces for (trust me I looked everywhere). I was expecting some off brand, but to my surprise all of it is "supersoft". Quality is great!!

chevyboyfresh

question I have a 91 rs camaro and i just got the top istalled today took to a shop because i didnt want to fucc it up myself so if something wen wrong id have someone to blame the top looks great oly one problem he fifth bow doesnt close all the way theres about 2 and a 1/2 to # inches of a gap and it takes quite a bit of pressure to get it to close not only that but the guy said the reason it doesnt is because the latch in the rear is broken im thinking maybe they ordered the wrong top ??? any ideas or do you think once I ge the rear latch fixed it shouldnt be a problem to close the gap im sure the top should fit snug but not so much where it takes so much to close it since its my first time replacing it dont know how things should work

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

I'm surprised that I didn't see this sooner so I apologize for the late response. Anyway, they probably ordered the right top, however I'm assuming they put it on too tight. It's possible to stretch the top too much over the first bow so the back wouldn't be able to latch down. You're supposed to feel a little bit of tension as you're going to latch it, but it shouldn't require too much effort. So it looks like the shop screwed up. I made that mistake with my top so I had to move it a little and reglue it. Can you post up pictures of yours to make sure we're on the same page?

Impaqt

iTrader: (1)

Glad this came back to the top. I'm going to be doing my top over the winter and these video will be a great help I'm sure.

musclecar70sfan

iTrader: (1)

bump because why not

yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

Thanks for the video. I had mine installed but now that I see your video, I would have thought about doing it myself.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I got lucky and scored a dark blue NOS top for my 89 formula 350 ASC vert. Haven't put it on yet but I may soon.

yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

To: TTOP350

My my arent you the lucky guy!!!

johnnyboy6961

Do you remember where actually you got to print out the instruction, I'm not to familiar with the site. I have a 1992 camaro RS with a ripped top