Should I consider doing rag top myself?
03-18-2013, 07:14 AM
#1
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location:
Posts: 480
Should I consider doing rag top myself?
Howdy,
My rag top is leaking and just looks like crap compaired to rest of car. It is the last project I need to do. Can onyone who has done one let me know if it is a project I should consider.
If I do get it done by a shop about how much should it cost?
Thx!
Walt
My rag top is leaking and just looks like crap compaired to rest of car. It is the last project I need to do. Can onyone who has done one let me know if it is a project I should consider.
If I do get it done by a shop about how much should it cost?
Thx!
Walt
03-18-2013, 08:21 AM
#2
Foghorn Leghorn
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: I reside in a near constant state of amazment.
Posts: 2,923
I redid the top on my 02' GT and it worked out great. I can't imagine it would be all that different from a classic setup.
I bought a 'how to' CD off of Ebay with this guy showing step by step how and what to do and it paid for itself in spades. I bought a cheapy electric stapler and went to town.
I saved myself about a grand as near as I could tell. I was being quoted 1300-1500 by the local shops and between the replacement top, stapler and CD I was in for about 400.00 total. It took a weekend, a lot of patience and a slightly broken nose but I would totally do it again.
I bought a 'how to' CD off of Ebay with this guy showing step by step how and what to do and it paid for itself in spades. I bought a cheapy electric stapler and went to town.
I saved myself about a grand as near as I could tell. I was being quoted 1300-1500 by the local shops and between the replacement top, stapler and CD I was in for about 400.00 total. It took a weekend, a lot of patience and a slightly broken nose but I would totally do it again.
03-18-2013, 10:05 AM
#4
Foghorn Leghorn
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: I reside in a near constant state of amazment.
Posts: 2,923
Well, about that....
The man in the video clearly stated that a pair of needle nose vise grips were to be used when reattaching a spring loaded cable into a grommet....
Well hell, I don't have any vise grip needle nose but I do have regular needle nose pliers, so that's just as good, right?
Wrong.
As I was standing over the cable, pulling like hell on the with my regular needle nose pliers, they slipped off and I slugged myself right in the snoot. My world turned white, my knees clanged together and I think I saw God.
I immediately realized the value of vice grip needle nose pliers.
The man in the video clearly stated that a pair of needle nose vise grips were to be used when reattaching a spring loaded cable into a grommet....
Well hell, I don't have any vise grip needle nose but I do have regular needle nose pliers, so that's just as good, right?
Wrong.
As I was standing over the cable, pulling like hell on the with my regular needle nose pliers, they slipped off and I slugged myself right in the snoot. My world turned white, my knees clanged together and I think I saw God.
I immediately realized the value of vice grip needle nose pliers.
03-18-2013, 10:41 AM
#5
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: California
Posts: 236
Well, about that....
The man in the video clearly stated that a pair of needle nose vise grips were to be used when reattaching a spring loaded cable into a grommet....
Well hell, I don't have any vise grip needle nose but I do have regular needle nose pliers, so that's just as good, right?
Wrong.
As I was standing over the cable, pulling like hell on the with my regular needle nose pliers, they slipped off and I slugged myself right in the snoot. My world turned white, my knees clanged together and I think I saw God.
I immediately realized the value of vice grip needle nose pliers.
The man in the video clearly stated that a pair of needle nose vise grips were to be used when reattaching a spring loaded cable into a grommet....
Well hell, I don't have any vise grip needle nose but I do have regular needle nose pliers, so that's just as good, right?
Wrong.
As I was standing over the cable, pulling like hell on the with my regular needle nose pliers, they slipped off and I slugged myself right in the snoot. My world turned white, my knees clanged together and I think I saw God.
I immediately realized the value of vice grip needle nose pliers.
A lesson from this story? Not really - Men are going to do this stupid stuff even when we know better.
03-18-2013, 02:24 PM
#7
Yukon Cornelius
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: deep in the heart of dixie GEORGIA
Posts: 11,808
i watched the guy who did the top on my 91 gt i will attempt it next time...in fact its about time for a top..but im really thinking i just need to buy a house with a garage and remove the top altogether lol
03-18-2013, 03:11 PM
#8
Foghorn Leghorn
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: I reside in a near constant state of amazment.
Posts: 2,923
The way I had it figured was at, say my cost was 350ish for a replacement top and the shops were charging, lets use the 1500.00 estimate; I could totally mess up and ruin 3 or 4 tops and still be ahead of the game.
It turned out very well, I might add. No leaks.
It turned out very well, I might add. No leaks.
03-19-2013, 10:43 AM
#9
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,001
May want to email this guy for a set of instructions - very nice right up. I told him I would not distribute since he plans on publishing. He asks for a small donation if you end up using his intructions. I have not done mine yet but writup is very good.
Richard - smykayrich@yahoo.com
Richard - smykayrich@yahoo.com
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