Just wondering, I have done just about everything
that has to do with 1960s 1970's muscle cars
Never replaced a convertible top before

Is it something that can be done without prior top experience
Something that can be done without killing myself?

Thanks in advance

1966 Catalina Conv
389 2bbl
TH400

The top has various components to it. 

1. The top itself,
2. The rear window,
3. The pads,
4. The well liner. 
Are you talking about replacing all 4 components, or just the top?   I saw them do a top on one of the auto shows on TV, and while it looked fairly straight forward (because they had all the tools and know-how), I don't think I'd do it myself.  I don't think the labor would be all that high, the main cost is the materials. 

For my 70 2+2 rag, I had all 4 done a few years ago as my top got ruined by hail damage, and the rest of the pieces were quite old.  The top and the glass rear window were each about a grande (including labor), and as they had the whole thing apart anyway the pads and well were each a couple hundred or so with no additional labor.  I think it's the type of job that's best left to the pro's.

-- Edited by seventy2plus2 on Friday 19th of March 2010 10:08:08 PM

If you haven't done it before DON'T. They are a tricky thing to install. Fitting and getting then stretched is a definate art. There is nothing worse than a loose fitting rag top.

I agree on the above, I helped put mine on, the upholster was very seasoned , and it still took 12 hours , I was just a pair of hands to help, we had the top in , on , out , in , on ,,, till it fit perfect. It takes some know how, I learned , I would hesitate to do one myself after that experience, but may give it a try if I was brave... search on 442.com, I think it there that I found the GM manual to install a top, have a read then decide..

I removed one from another car (top not frame) and took mine off a friend was changing to a black one and his was in better shape than mine I will not attempt that again, had a very hard time lining everything up. I have a new one (pads, rubber well etc) in a box ready to go on when i'm finished.

I was going to do all 4 ames performance has tops and all the goodies I get the hint I will look for a pro mid summer Thought it might be out of my league Thanks all to have replied Much appreceated HappyHotroddin David B Buffalo NY/Fort Erie Ontario

I had considered it and ordered a new top from OPG. Was very reasonable, I think something like 300 landed at my door with new cables, pads, and plastic window. I ended up going to a shop in town here and he charged me 450. Best money spent. He does alot of them and it takes him about 6 hours plus he made me my well liner. I think I'd want to apprentice with someone a couple times at least before I'd tackle one.

oh yea, don't forget to change the side cables.  They prevent the sides of the top from flapping.

Too Loose it FLAPS, Too Tight it Splits 1st. time you put it up & down!!!!  Nough Said???

yes i did it and NO dont try it your self  PAY some one and save brain damage it worked out ok but never looked fresh and tight   so save your self a LOT of grief and
PAY a pro other wise the look may not be good and its toooooo much money to do again 

Ken 

Sportwagon400 wrote:

---

yes i did it and NO dont try it your self  PAY some one and save brain damage it worked out ok but never looked fresh and tight   so save your self a LOT of grief and
PAY a pro other wise the look may not be good and its toooooo much money to do again 

Ken 

---

Point very well taken, understood, will not try myself
Ill start investigating who does it this side of the boarder
Thanks Ken

 

The rag on my 70 Impala was the only thing on the body I didn't do myself for all the reasons listed on this thread. I paid an experienced upholsterer, dropped the car off at his shop after work and picked it up the next evening done! Set and aligned so that the pins lined right up and about one 'flap' every couple miles. Well worth the money.

from one who has been selling conertible tops for over 20 years. DON'T !!!  Most tops will require a professional 8 or more hours. We have seen the results of the DIY guys and usually not pretty

Dale @ NOS

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH DALE! Even the professional installers face grief from time to time when putting new tops on. The last time I got the roof put on my '69 Parisienne, they had it 2 extra days until they got it figured out and RIGHT! If it needs a tweak here and there, they KNOW exactly WHERE to do that tweak! It also doesn't take much to put a tear in it! YIKES! Just my opinion.