So i just bought a 88 vert and as you can see i have a small issue.
Just need to know if i have to replace the whole top or if there is like a "boot" i can just bolt back into place (like an outer bit) the top goes down fine and all so im not sure




Thanks for the help guys

 

you need a new top. the targa top section you can leave as is, but the rest of the top comes as one unit and is replaced (you reuse the frame and glass).

 

like the whole thing? any known place to get em?

 

If you need the new top, I could of sworn I saw a few members parting out their convertibles with good condition tops in the classifieds section. Go on the main page of the forum and look for the 2nd gen classifieds, search through there.

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-gen-archive-72/convertible-top-replacement-finished-503149/
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/convertible-top-replacement-859815/
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/has-anyone-replaced-their-vert-top-themselves-603056/
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/best-place-get-vert-top-851506/

I had mine replaced under insurance. The guy who did it (upholstery shop) kept telling me what a pain in the *** it was. For someone who does it for a living, I am glad I didn't have to install it myself. It is doable, but you will find everyone will tell you its a pain, so if you can, have someone else do it for you.

Just some things I came up with when searching the forum. If you search here there are a lot of discussions about this.

 

I got a top from a place called M&T manufacturing in the states somewhere I don't remember now. It didn't fit like the OEM top did, and the passenger side rear corner under the rear window is too tight so the corner lifts up - you can see the seam folded in improperly. I never contacted them about it because it was 600 bucks compared to the OEM 1200 or something like that but I wish I had saved up more for the OEM top with comes with the pre- cut holes and everything - would have been a much simpler install ... check out the pictures on my profile page thing if you want to get an idea what you're replacing.

Edit: here's the link to my album: https://www.rx7club.com/album.php?al...ictureid=20799
also you will want to replace the giant U-shaped metal that goes under the back of the top where you fasten the top to the body of the car because the one in there now is almost guaranteed to be rusted.

 

Yes, unless you can somehow patch the holes yourself

 

where are you located?

 

thanks man i really appreciate it. there is ALOT of info on here which is good just a bit hard to work through (still getting used to the site)

But thank you

 

Im in VA at the moment?

https://www.rx7club.com/picture.php?...ictureid=20800

I was hoping to get mine to this point and then replace the outside bit? unless thats exactly what we are talking about?

I feel a bit of a noob lol

I need to get to work but thank you guys ill check in tonight

 

That is just the outside black "rubber" top removed... What you see there is the convertible top frame which is attached to the rear window frame as well, and then the inner lining which is like a felt type fabric almost. The hardest part of the job for me and my Uncle was removing and installing the window, and getting the top to stretch from the corner to corner across the top of the roof... It took about half an hour of constant heat gun and pulling. I'm not sure if it will be the same for the OEM roof but as I said, the one I bought wasn't made 10/10 quality and the cheaper price should have warned me of that.
I'm pretty sure the Factory Service Manual has some information about replacing the convertible roof which helped me out a lot, along with common sense about removing the trim and what not.

 

I was only asking because that almost looked like a car I sold someone 2 years ago here in NY and I know he sold it again

 

i just installed a robins top. A+ on quality and fitment. you have to sow the corners to get it to not pull up. one side of mine is sown(sowed for you AL folks) and the other... i haven't gone back and finish it yet. the sowed side looks factory and straight.

I think it took about a weekend, removed the old on in about 2 hours, then the next day put the rear portion on, and then a week later i did the front portion in side, and off the car, it took another 4 hours, alot of cleaning and removing the old glue.

i would do it again in a heartbeat. even for $$$ on someone else's. buying a vert with a bad top is no longer a fear, it's a tool of negotiation.

 

sown= sewn..sorry.
Lastphase..send me pics of your Vert roof,I have to do it to mine,and it is Bah-ad. (bad for you US folk!)

 

both my corners stick up a bit, what do you sew?

 

^ same

 

my corners stick up a bit, and it was done by a shop

 

Lastphase: Can you post up some pictures of your installed top and the parts that you sewn? I think i may replace my top for the hell of it and just wanna see some fresh install pics!!(along with everyone else)

 

I would also replace my top again if I knew the corners would lay down, I thought it had something to do with the forming bar

 

Mine don't stick up ATM. its OEM replaced but would like to get a nice top but don't want them sides to stick up

 

i'll get my car back monday and try to take pics of doing it tuesday. and you'll thank me later.

 

We got a top from M&T (convertibletopguys.com) and it turned out absolutely gorgeous. We got the Haartz Stayfast Canvas Top because IMO it looks a lot richer than vinyl. We did it ourselves and it took a day for my son and me to install it. You just have to take your time and measure thrice. We'd never done anything like that before but are willing to try.

If you're not comfortable with potentially ruining the top and having to buy another, you might be better off talking to an upholstery shop and tell em you're considering trying it yourself vs having a pro do it. I suspect you're better off with a cheaper top professionally installed than a poorly installed expensive top.

Good luck with your car.

 

I had a robbins top installed at a shop, out the door it was $950ish, not too bad, plus it retains the 5 year warranty. I hate other people working on my car, but I went and met with like every upholsterer in the Pitt area. My feelings are if you have to ask on top installation it may be worth getting it done by a pro.

My corners do roll a little though:

 

Question for Rob XX 7 and all the rest with lifting corners......do you have the original metal forming bar in your tops?
Or are you relying on the cheap plastic strip that most replacement tops have sewn in?

 

NO it has the metal retaining bar. You have to Sew to tabs of fabric togather... guh, gimme a day, i gotta fix Granma's truck before i can take it back and get my car. then i'll show you.

i got the cheapest top robbin's makes, while it was 550, and you could get an ACME top for around 350, i did my research and found NOTHING but BAD things about ACME. i mean, it's ACME! Isn't that what the Coyote always failed with?

 

yea my top is not too bad but it will get there in a few more years. this is good info to know. i was going to get the top from the convertible top guys because i had heard good things about them.