Well, I started my top replacement project yesterday, and it's not nearly the pain that I expected! Found a super great deal on a 'previously enjoyed' top, and used instructions posted by the guy who hooked me up with said top. I posted some progress pics on another forum, you can check them out here ..... more pics will be posted today, once the final adjustments are made. Can't wait to cruise with new vinyl (can't afford canvas yet) keeping the rain off'n my bald head!!

 

Wow, that old top was nasty! Can't wait to see the after pics.

 

Looks like a brand new car. What a difference.

 

I put a new top on mine and it looked so good it made the rest of the car look bad. I got a canvas top from Paradise Automotive who bought ASC's stock when the body style changed in 93 and I got it for $350. Just fyi when you look for canvas. Make sure you use some good glue and watch the area near the rivets near the windows. Mine tried to pull away until I put some gorilla glue on them. There are also adjustment points to control the up and down tension. I found instructions in my manual which I had never heard before, but I haven't tried adjusting it yet, since it is getting a crate motor put in. I have a thread on here with some tips if you need them.

 

Hmmm... adjustment points? I may need to check that thread out. Since I finished the install, I've noticed the top looks super tight across bow #4.... I don't know if anything would apply to that, or if it's just the way it's supposed to be. As for the rivets... I know what you mean. I had to use a couple of touches of industrial strength contact adhesive from work (the sort of stuff you can hang a car from). Sort of a 'phyrric victory' as far as that was concerned... it held the top, but created a small tear (< 1/2") right near where the rivet was. Luckily it's on the inside, and not really visible... I threw a couple of stitches into it to keep the tear from progressing. Anyway, the project was fun, and it looks great now... like a new ride!


ps- contact cement and adhesive remover are the tools of the devil!!! I hate those roly-poly glue boogers!!!

 

I think what I'll probably do is work the adjustment up as a tech article when I do it. From what the instructions are it is a couple of threaded adjustment points that control tension with the top up, and also keep the parts from contacting each other when it is down. I think this may fix the problem with some of the holes that seem to form in everyone's top when it is packed into the closed position.

If you want, I will go ahead and try to give the basics if you need them. I haven't done mine yet because I have been killing myself on this motor install. I would definately check out the top before you go very far with it down right after install. I had a tear already trying to form in the exact same spot as one of the old ones because it is wearing against metal when down, but hopefully this adjustment I stumbled upon will fix it.