soft top fitting advice

Technical Area Body, Interior & Styling
2

 Hi all,

Just picked up an unwanted brand new vinyl soft top to replace my very tired one and I’m going to give fitting it myself a go.  Has anyone got any guidence notes with diagrams or a dvd that i could have a copy of…i will of course reimburse any costs in producing/sending.

 

Thanks,

3

 Hi Andrew,

This might help,

http://www.miata.net/garage/miatatop/index.html

Mozza

4

Andrew,

 

Any update on how it went?

Im thinking about doing mine this weekend (printing the instructions from the link above as we speak - ta!)

I’ve already been down to the rain rail and peeled off the bath sponge / parcel shelf cover to resolve one hood problem (prev owner had hood outside rain rail - d’oh) but some how undoing the screws and peeling off the old hood has seemed like a bridge too far until now!

 

Cheers,

Ben

5

 In all honesty I keep looking at it and then chickening out.  I’m not what you would call experienced in car maintenance/improvement. 

What i’m worried about is that i will end up damaging my new soft-top in the process or fit it  incorrectly and end up with a flooded car.  But being quoted £200 recently to fit it has made my mind up that i will be doing it myself.  The only plus point is that i have a hard top if it does go wrong, but i really can’t afford any mishaps…got the tax, new tyres, mot and service (contemplating doing myself) in the next 2 months.

I suppose with having the hard-top I can do it over a couple of weekends without the worry of having to rush the job.  I do have Monday afternoon off work…lets look at the weather forcast!

6

 Andrew,

Just finished mine! I’ve documented it in a word doc if you’re interested.

Bottom line was that I had to take it to a cushion makers (got to love Brunei) to get the rivets removed and new ones added. The only frustration beyond that was the door window seal on the back of the window is secured to the frame with two push plugs and a screw at the bottom. These are a nightmare to get to and pullout (got the cushion makers to do it).

The end result looks FANTASTIC - tight as a drum and I really got to know the inside of the car doing it (I have zero experience to date!)

Let me know how you got on!