I'm to the point of getting my top put on, just wondering from people who have built a convertible should I line all the windows to fit the top first before I get the top installed or after the top has been installed. Any little tricks would be greatly appreciated
-- Edited by papeldog on Thursday 23rd of August 2018 08:04:37 PM
For what it's worth I lined mine up before the top went on and with mixed results. I set my windows pretty much as high as they would go and still be matched up but after the top went on I ended up with a gap between the top and the windows at the front. Seems like when everything got wrapped around the header it lifted the top up some. I haven't spent a great deal of time to rectify it but I rode with my buddy from Alberta a month ago who has 3 convertibles like mine and his was like riding in a sedan. He had just put a new top on a month before that and did it himself because they were asking for his second born child to have it done. I would do it and if worst case scenario you may have to tune it up some after the top is installed. Good luck with it.
Is the car painted or only in primer?
If painted then yes, align the windows.
If in primer you'll want to install the top before painting. Reasons being you'll want to have some windows out ( vent window frames ) so as to not leave tape marks and also there is a good chance of scratching the paint during install.
Also you'll want to have at least the back seat out for accessibility.
Thanks for the replies, yes the car is painted and the windows have been aligned except for front passenger. I just thought of it as I remembered someone commented about the sequence for installing convert tops one time but I couldn't remember what it was.
I think the biggest percentage of tops get put on after the car has been painted and any installer worth his salt should be good enough to deal with that in my opinion. The old guy who did mine just passed away last year and I bet he has done 70% of the cars in Kelowna in the past 40 years. Usually took him less than a day even with making a custom curtain in the back.
The installer for mine wants to supply the top too, just a better way to go if he has problems with the top. I have no 1st born to give him but I do have a wheelbarrow
The installer for mine wants to supply the top too, just a better way to go if he has problems with the top. I have no 1st born to give him but I do have a wheelbarrow
Thats the trouble with my wheelbarrow. It only has concrete or top soil in it. Gotta like retirement.
My installer indicated which companies top he preferred. I then bought it when I was state side. Saved shipping, taxes etc.
Hopefully it gets installed in early September.
in 30 years of business we had many trim shops that we dealt with. Not all ; but most shops prefer the car to not be painted. Simply they don't want the responsibility of possibility damaging the paint.
another point in a convertible top installation is to make sure the rear bow height is correct (the down distance from the center of the rear bow to the center of the rear well chrome trim) .
I believe the 66/67 Malibu / Beaumont rear bow height is 21 1/2 " plus/minus 1/2" (stand to be corrected)
also always replace the pads !! Old pads quite often are the reason that the door glass drags on the top.
Dale @ NOS
-- Edited by NOS on Friday 24th of August 2018 05:03:00 PM
-- Edited by NOS on Friday 24th of August 2018 05:06:18 PM
When you watch videos of the ragtop installation the guy doing it usually has 15 years experience and has done hundreds of tops. They always attach....and then detach and reposition till the top is correct. So if a pro is trial and error that means anyone of us can do a top. trial and error. I'm about to do mine on a 62 Acadian. I'm planning on a lot of dry fitting and adjustment before I start and a lot more after I'm done. Best fit.
As far as painted and unpainted, it depends on what "type" of mechanic you are. I don't mean good or bad but we all have that one friend who can't be near a newly painted car without scratching it.
