Unfortunately, I cannot leave my top down for days at a time, but would like to drop the top two or three times a week. Are there any weaknesses that repeated use would show? I'm more concerned with the top itself, and not the mechanicals such as the pistons or motor. If those go, they'll be much easier (and cheaper) to fix than a new top. I used to have a '72 Skylark Convertible, and if you didn't pay attention to the top when it went down, the mechanicals would pinch the top and eventually tear it.
Well....for over a year, and weather permitting of course....(and assuming you are talking about the newer stangs)..I have dropped the top at leat twice a week...have not had a single issue.
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06 GT, tint, appearance mods, 18X9 w/NT555 255/45/18, GTA Axlebacks, GT500 spoiler/pedals. Many interior billet upgrades and engine dress up.
Posts: 4561
Joined: 10/17/2006 From: SA Town Status: offline
i have a question regarding this too. do you need to put the boot on if your going down the highway. i always want to drop the top on the way home from school but im scared about riping the top er something.
I haven't put it on when I drive mine home from work. I haven't had any problems yet. To my knowlegde you don't need to put the boot on to drive on the highway.
Unfortunately, I cannot leave my top down for days at a time, but would like to drop the top two or three times a week. Are there any weaknesses that repeated use would show? I'm more concerned with the top itself, and not the mechanicals such as the pistons or motor. If those go, they'll be much easier (and cheaper) to fix than a new top. I used to have a '72 Skylark Convertible, and if you didn't pay attention to the top when it went down, the mechanicals would pinch the top and eventually tear it.
It's actually quite strong. Biggest thing NOT to do is lower it while it is wet or damp because it shrinks and expands slightly when wet and dry and will stretch too much when you put it up again. Always make sure the top is bone dry when you lower it.
i am not in the situation to leave my top down overnight and i still have my top down almost every day. i have seen no problems with it wearing that i can see. and no, you dont have to have a boot cover on to drive down the highway. if that were the case, then the boot cover wouldnt be an option, it would be standard.
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1994 Mustang GT, just a few minor appearance mods, engine mostly stock (for now)
Thanks for the replies. It's gettin' to be top-down weather and I just picked up my 'stang a few months back. Really looking forward to the open-air motorin'.
Thanks for the replies. It's gettin' to be top-down weather and I just picked up my 'stang a few months back. Really looking forward to the open-air motorin'.
its great, you will never want a coupe again. i have looked at quite a few nicer and faster cars, but they were coupes and i wasnt willing to give up my convertible for them.
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1994 Mustang GT, just a few minor appearance mods, engine mostly stock (for now)
Hey, is there a certain temperature, below which, it's bad to lower and raise the top? I had an 87 Mustang convertible back several years ago, and once it hit about 50-55 degrees, I was dropping the top (with the heat on, and sometimes the windows up). With my 04 GT Vert, since I got it I've done the same thing - is that bad for it?
Posts: 94
Joined: 10/28/2006 From: New Canaan CT Status: offline
No I dont think that it is bad to lower the top when its colder out. But it could be a pain to get to re-latch because it might shrink. As for driving with the top down you can go as fast as you want. It weighs so much and the piston is slightly holding the top in place and their is really not to many places for the wind to "grab" the top and pull it up. I have done 80 in my car and my dads 96 GTO with the top down and nothing has happened. And in the summer i would probably raise and lower the top at least once a day.
The top on my car is about 14 years old and it will need to get replaced soon. Any of you know the differences between vinyl and canvas tops?
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MM Caster Camber Plates, Cobra Headlights, FRPP Aluminum Pedals, 95 Cobra R Chromed Wheels
As far as speed is concerned... I did between 110 and 115 in my GT Vert, with the top down, no problems ;)
As far as colder temperatures go... what's the coldest you can put it down? I'm mainly worried about cracks developing in the canvas - what causes that?
The cracks really occur when you lower it when it's too cold/moisture on the top. A friend of mine had a Sebring, and last winter (about 20 degrees) he pulled into the garage after parking outside at work all day, and decided to lower the top in the garage. It cracked right down a seam.
And for the repeated use - I have mine up and down at least twice a day, weather permitting.
The only thing that sometimes pinches id the inside headliner on the corners of the seat back.
yeah, you will be fine driving fast with the top down. i have been about 110 with the top down. the only thing is, after about 95, the wind starts to make aloud whistle as it flows over the windshield. but that is nothing to worry about. haha
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1994 Mustang GT, just a few minor appearance mods, engine mostly stock (for now)
wow speed demons hehe so far only 80 here top down and no problems. I did drive to work with the top up and windows down bout 65 I started getting a unusual air sound almost like a repeating low frequency hum so i rolled up the back windows and brought the sides to bout half way up and it ended.
BTW, TY for the info about the wear of the top, my wife drives the stang as her DD and she always has the top down once a day if not twice. My worry is we are gonna wear it out too quickly. When we were looking at other mustangs before we found this one, I saw a used 07 with 20k miles and the top looked really bad, the dealership said it was a "certified preowned" HA!! around the seam it had serious wear and was pulling away. Any ideas of what could have caused that, so I dont do the same?
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convertible top weaknesses - 
