Questions on adding a vinyl top

[scott2683]

I recently bought a 74 duster, and I would really like to add a half vinyl top. I bought all the trim that I need and it should be shipped soon.

What does the molding fasten to? Does it screw down? Is there anything else I need to purchase before I take it in to have it done?

Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[zfriedbauer]

I'm no expert but my 74 duster came from the factory with a vinyl top attached by what look like rivets and clips. it's called a 3/4 vinyl top. I believe holes were punched in the vinyl and it was stretched over the roof, the trim then clipped onto the rivet heads over the vinyl.

 

[1970Duster]

If you're gonna do a vinyl top (no chance in hell I'd put a vinyl top on ANY car but hey) do the full vinyl top instead of the 3/4 top, be fully commited to it and yes a fully vinyl top was an option in 1974. A 3/4 top reminds me of a teenage girl, wishy washier than a damn wash machine. Just sayin.

Another option is to install the vinyl top trim and have it paint the color you want up there. Painting as come a long way and you can mimic the look of a vinyl top design with a crap load less maintance.

 

[scott2683]

Thanks for the info guys! i appreciate it. I'm not 100% sure what I'm going to do just yet. I'll post pics if I decide to do it.

 

[BrianT]

(no chance in hell I'd put a vinyl top on ANY car but hey)

Everyone's entitled to their opinions. My opinion is that when I shine my vinyl top up with some Mother's Back to Black I get comments on it every time about how good it looks. I agree!

I say go for it. As long as you are installing it over a rust free top, you'll be fine.

 

[zkx14]

On a canopy vinyl top - The molding across the back had one screw in each end. The clips in between slide onto studs

 

[scott2683]

Thanks for the info zkx14, I'm guessing I can buy the studs and screw or weld them onto the roof? I think a vinyl top would look good on the car. It looks damn good on your dart Brian.

 

[BrianT]

Thanks! People get hung up on vinyl tops because we've all seen cars where the roof has rusted because of them. I bought a Duster one time with the half vinyl roof and it was ripped and would balloon up at speed like a parachute. I'm sure the roof underneath it was starting to rust away because of all the moisture it let in.

 

[zkx14]

Thanks for the info zkx14, I'm guessing I can buy the studs and screw or weld them onto the roof? I think a vinyl top would look good on the car. It looks damn good on your dart Brian.

I never used one, but i would guess you need a special 'stud gun' to put them on. They could be screwed on. I would be concerned about leaks,". My headliner is messed up from the original screw on the passenger side of that trim leaking.