fastbackford351

The original top on my 02 is mighty ragged. I can stand next to the car and look directly into the boot so needless to say, I need a new top.

I have been checking out a couple sellers on Ebay that have good feedback and some also include installation videos/dvds.

I am more mechanically inclined than the average bear but I have never replaced a convertible top before.

Is this a job best left to the professionals or, if given proper video instruction, a job that won't turn into a complete schit-storm of failure?


Thanks.

Z28KLR

All I've heard on the subject is that it's best left to professionals. But then again if you can get good detailed instructions and have any specialty tools that might be needed then it might be worth a try. Worst case, assuming the new top doesn't become damaged during one's own installation attempt you could always roll everything back up and take it to a shop if things don't work out.

BraMas

I did one on a Caviler and I had 0 knowledge before I did it. I just followed the directions and watched a DVD and it was not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Just take your time it is not something to rush. You will want to rent a good staple gun I had a normal Arrow brand and it had a very hard time getting the staples into the tack strip

theglide05

had replaced one on mine a few years back, at an apolstery shop was pretty cheap, about $400, and I live in hawaii. took them only a couple hours. Just call around another thing you need to look at before you buy a new top, is your rear window the material attached below it. if it is torn you may also need a new rear window.

fastbackford351

The convertible top replacement I am looking at includes the glass rear window. I sprung for the installation video and it's a step by step guide that looks pretty legit and easy to follow. We'll see about that.

I'm going to bite the bullet and try to do the install myself with the video. I figure I'll throw a weekends worth of effort at it and try to save myself a few hundred bucks and if it blows up in my face I'll drag the whole mess down to a shop and let them mess with it.

kybar

Let me know how it goes, I am a structural mechanic on F-18's and replacing my top even been giving me second thoughts.

Doc Hawk

I have replaced a top on a Miata. I have the service manuals for my 01 and it is much more complicated on the Stang. I paid to have it done; I don't have enough time to do it right (which means, for a noob, going really sloooow).