Anybody have any experience installing a new convertible top?

I have one ordered and on the way with new cables and pads as well. Im mechanically inclined and I have a friend who does upholstery but hasn't tried a top yet. Im wondering if it is somewhat easy or if I should go pay to have it done. I would hate to get it all apart and not be able to get anything back on it :wallbash:

 

it cost me about $500 to put a new top on (parts included). but most shops charge around $1000 just for labor. with that being said, its not that hard of a swap. if you have a buddy to help you then just take a weekend and do it yourself. i've heard people say it has taken them anywhere from 3-7 hours to do the entire swap. i would have done it myself as well but i was only charged $100 for labor and thats just too good of a price to pass up.


if worse comes to worse and you have the whole car taken apart and cant get it back together again at least when you take it somewhere half of the work is done already so they cant charge you as much... good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Alright cool, Thanks Floppy. Was there any sewing involved? That is the one thing I can NOT do! lol

 

that i dont know for sure because i didnt do the work but i seriously doubt there was because the people i talked to would have mentioned it. if i can find all the old instruction manuals and stuff i was going to use to do the swap i will post them. they're all online i just cant remember where i found them.

 

Thanks for all your help, I appreciate it. I'll do some more searching and see what I can come up with as well.