Anyone install there own top?

[Kendog 170]

Bought a Topline top, Glass window, pad kit, and tach strips. Got quoted over $1000. to install. There is another reputable shop my friend has used last year for his LeBaron. Cost him about $650. Labor which is reasonable. Just curious if anyone has done their own themselves. I've got until summer to decide.

 

[MMissile]

I paid 600 for mine, 5 years ago. I'd have gladly paid a grand. It's a big job, done correctly. I also don't have all the trick little tools he used for doing tops.

 

[mvh]

Yeah, it's a tricky thing to do correctly. It's a shame to see a nice car with a brand new top that isn't fitted correctly, and has wrinkles and stretch marks, or even tears where it was stretched too tight. The top itself is a big investment — I wouldn't risk it to save a few bucks on the install.

 

[65 Dartman]

I did my own install on a 65 Coronet by following the directions in the 65 FSM. I did have rust repair on the header to contend with first

 

[RustyRatRod]

I installed one on a Triumph Spitfire I had when I was 15.

 

[Kendog 170]

The company my buddy used has a good reputation. I'll price check them. I watched a video of a 67 Dart being done and its way past my skill level to risk installing myself. The last time in the 90's an old timer had one on the shelf he got stuck with. Did the whole job for $450. including the top! Got lucky on that one. He's long gone now.

 

[Ragmanx]

Do it your self is tricky and doing it right is a job right is no walk in the park. I rectly paid $800 for instalation of a new canvas top. Very unhappy with the completed results. I will cost me at least $400 to fix. Lessen learned. It takes usally 8 to 12 hours labor if done right.

 

[66Dvert]

we do 61-67 slab sided 4 door Lincolns. $1900 just to install those monsters if there is ZERO alignment or relay issues last 63 we did cost him 4k to install since we had to fix the relays and realign the door glass) pain in the behind to do compared to Darts (square corners makes it harder than Valiant with their rounded) I took about 8 hours to do my 66 dart (really slow and he was chafing at my slowness. said it was a 5 hour job tops since the top was already off tack strips were fixed and the frame cleaned. the pro taught me how and where to pull for wrinkles before I even got to touch the trimming tools I only only needed a grease pencil and air stapler with 1/4" staples, a good tape measure and warm (hot actually over 80) day. some painters tape, a 2x4 to lift the front header and and a trimming knife and driver for the tack strip screws. (at least that all I think I used) getting ready to do this to the one in my avatar finally since the engine just got installed (whew long road for that car and my health) yjr hardesty part was I took the top off to clean and lube it for free movement and screwed up the alignment. now that took 2 days to get right. nect one get the 1/8 alignment hole drilled like my doors got!