DIY 89 top replacement

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DIY 89 top replacement - 4/28/2007 2:38:15 AM    TonyR   Posts: 20 Joined: 3/25/2007 Status: offline Well, I ordered a new top from A.A. Best (www.aabestco.com) and it is scheduled for delivery on Monday.  I will be attempting the installation myself, hopefully all goes well, but just in case there, is a custom upholstery shop nearby that will do it for about $500.  But, being a poor college student, I'd rather do it myself; I'm done with class at 2, and that's without even skipping, so I got at least a good 6 hours of sunlight.  I hope the weather holds, it's supposed to be fairly warm until Tuesday...  Anyway, I will document every step of the way for other DIY's with my digital camera, and until Monday, I will be trying to get as much info as possible on the details. Wish me luck, I think I'm gonna need it... Post #: 1

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 4/28/2007 9:18:09 AM    TwotoneVert Posts: 2598 Joined: 7/27/2006 Status: offline Good luck. (in reply to TonyR) Post #: 2

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 4/28/2007 3:05:24 PM    mannythesaint   Posts: 6 Joined: 3/19/2007 Status: offline Hey Tony, Good luck and the force might be with you. I am thinking about doing the same in my 2000. Hopefully everything will go fine. Keep us posted. (in reply to TwotoneVert) Post #: 3

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 4/29/2007 1:17:27 PM    mrfirebird73   Posts: 8 Joined: 8/30/2006 Status: offline I would like to see how well it goes myself.  I have an 83 that needs a new top.  Good luck. (in reply to mannythesaint) Post #: 4

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 4/30/2007 5:25:00 PM    nyfreakinrican7 Posts: 231 Joined: 5/24/2006 From: N.Y.C live in Jacksonville, N.C. Status: offline You can definately be our Guinea pig _____________________________ 89' GT Convertible Not the prettiest but it is mine! 92' Crown Victoria 410,000 original miles and counting 93' Town Car SOLD! 92' B250 Custom Van (in reply to mrfirebird73) Post #: 5

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 5/2/2007 2:23:50 AM    TonyR   Posts: 20 Joined: 3/25/2007 Status: offline lol, I'll be the guinea pig.  I didn't get the top until late Monday though, and the weather's been somewhat trivial today.  I may have to wait a few more days for it to warm up a little.  I got a staple gun in preparation but ran out of light due to overcast.  So, cross your fingers for better weather!  I'll post a "before" pic tomorrow so everyone can see how crappy my old top is... (in reply to nyfreakinrican7) Post #: 6

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 5/4/2007 9:55:38 PM    kenv Posts: 1194 Joined: 12/17/2006 Status: offline good luck _____________________________ every day above ground is a good one & a bad day spent with my cars is better than a good day at work 00GT `vert 87 `Vette 04 24v Taurus 06 v6 Milan 94 dakota 4wd (in reply to TonyR) Post #: 7

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 5/5/2007 1:06:55 AM    nyfreakinrican7 Posts: 231 Joined: 5/24/2006 From: N.Y.C live in Jacksonville, N.C. Status: offline It can't be worse than mine. I am missing the whole rear window section and the left 1/4 section. I have a garage now so I just leave the top down with the boot on. _____________________________ 89' GT Convertible Not the prettiest but it is mine! 92' Crown Victoria 410,000 original miles and counting 93' Town Car SOLD! 92' B250 Custom Van (in reply to TonyR) Post #: 8

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 5/5/2007 10:05:13 PM    TonyR   Posts: 20 Joined: 3/25/2007 Status: offline http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?85d321a1df.jpg http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?e8aaff8382.jpg http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?807ea9ebc4.jpg So this is my old top, notice the crappiness. (in reply to nyfreakinrican7) Post #: 9

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 5/5/2007 10:35:10 PM    TonyR   Posts: 20 Joined: 3/25/2007 Status: offline This is the front header bow.  First I had to peel off the weather stripping so that I could get to the screws holding the retaining plates in.  There are three plates, one in the front and one on each side that hold the front part of the top down. Thumbnail Image Thumbnail Image Attachment (2) < Message edited by TonyR -- 5/5/2007 10:36:23 PM > (in reply to TonyR) Post #: 10

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 5/5/2007 10:38:32 PM    TonyR   Posts: 20 Joined: 3/25/2007 Status: offline more pics Thumbnail Image Thumbnail Image Attachment (2) (in reply to TonyR) Post #: 11

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 5/5/2007 10:43:50 PM    TonyR   Posts: 20 Joined: 3/25/2007 Status: offline After the front part of the top is peeled back, you can see the cable here. And the side pads are exposed.  All of these are held in place by a ****load of staples and with some needlenose pliers are easy enough to remove. Thumbnail Image Thumbnail Image Attachment (2) < Message edited by TonyR -- 5/5/2007 10:44:13 PM > (in reply to TonyR) Post #: 12

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 5/5/2007 10:46:18 PM    TonyR   Posts: 20 Joined: 3/25/2007 Status: offline The front then came off easily. Thumbnail Image Thumbnail Image Attachment (2) (in reply to TonyR) Post #: 13

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 5/5/2007 10:48:34 PM    TonyR   Posts: 20 Joined: 3/25/2007 Status: offline Next the screws on the two middle bows need to be removed and the long retaining piece will slide out easily from the fabric loops. Thumbnail Image Thumbnail Image Attachment (2) (in reply to TonyR) Post #: 14

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 5/5/2007 10:52:49 PM    TonyR   Posts: 20 Joined: 3/25/2007 Status: offline This tacking strip holds the rear part of the top and the window piece together on the rear bow, again with some staples.  It's important to note that these staples are 1/2" as opposed to the 1/4" staples everywhere else.  The tacking strip is also two different pieces to allow a more cosmetic appearence (hiding the staples) after installation. Thumbnail Image Thumbnail Image Attachment (2) (in reply to TonyR) Post #: 15

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 5/5/2007 11:00:07 PM    TonyR   Posts: 20 Joined: 3/25/2007 Status: offline I took the well out next.  This picture shows the screws holding a retaining plate in that holds the well on the back seat.  The line of screws here follows all the way around the well.  The side nearest the trunk, however, is held in with a bunch of nuts that also hold the rest of the top in place.  This is where I got a little confused.  The other picture shows a little plastic clip that holds the well against the rear seat.  It can be quickly slid off. Thumbnail Image Thumbnail Image Attachment (2) (in reply to TonyR) Post #: 16

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 5/5/2007 11:12:02 PM    TonyR   Posts: 20 Joined: 3/25/2007 Status: offline This is one of the rear bolts, and the plate attached to the top after it is removed from the vehicle itself.  Guess what's holding the top to the plate... more staples! Thumbnail Image Thumbnail Image Attachment (2) (in reply to TonyR) Post #: 17

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 5/5/2007 11:16:33 PM    TonyR   Posts: 20 Joined: 3/25/2007 Status: offline Last is where the rear windows meet the top, there are two bolts holding in a large plastic piece that works as weatherstripping, a guide for the window, and retainer for the top.  Take the nuts off and pull the piece out, and the top should be free. Thumbnail Image Thumbnail Image Attachment (2) (in reply to TonyR) Post #: 18

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 5/5/2007 11:20:25 PM    TonyR   Posts: 20 Joined: 3/25/2007 Status: offline And so this is where I'm at now.  The old top's gone, and I gotta put in the new one, but I ran out of light.  Unfortunately, I also saw that a piece on my frame was severely damaged and completely broke in half when I was putting my top frame back in place when I was cleaning up.  So, it looks like I have to find a replacement, and I have a feeling it's gonna be expensive...  sucks Thumbnail Image Attachment (1) (in reply to TonyR) Post #: 19

RE: DIY 89 top replacement - 5/12/2007 3:39:51 AM    nyfreakinrican7 Posts: 231 Joined: 5/24/2006 From: N.Y.C live in Jacksonville, N.C. Status: offline Tony you're makin it look easy man. But my top still looks worse. _____________________________ 89' GT Convertible Not the prettiest but it is mine! 92' Crown Victoria 410,000 original miles and counting 93' Town Car SOLD! 92' B250 Custom Van (in reply to TonyR) Post #: 20

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