kmags

So, rather that spend 1500 at the dealer for a new top, or 800 at an upholstery shop for one, I decided to do it myself. Holy crap, what a pain in the butt. There were some parts that were pretty difficult, like reusing the metal trim piece that holds the top down near the trunk area, but other than that it really wasn't that bad. Except the part where I lost a bolt that holds the top down. Larry Mcintire is coming through on that one for me too. Anyway, all I have left to do is cut the window in, which doesn't seem too hard to do. But it'll have to wait til next weekend. So in the meantime, I'll be ridin around with no back window, just ghetto as hell. Oh, the new Robbins top cost me less than 350 shipped, and it has taken me a total of about 10 hours so far. If I had to do it again, I think 5-6 hours would be a more likely figure. I'll keep ya'll posted on how the cutting in of the window goes.

-Keith

Icemark

Yeah, actually 10 hours is pretty quick for your first time. It is normally around 12 hours.

Did you do cloth or vinyl? Reuse the headliner?

kmags

vinyl, reused the liner

jdonnell

iTrader: (1)

Are the Robbins tops close to factory in appearance and quality, or does it look like an aftermarket top?

Jim D

kmags

It looks identical, and is a dam good fit. It has no wrinkles and is tight as a drum.

kmags

Jim D...if you need help putting it on, I'll help you if you buy me a case of Chocolate banana yoo-hoo : )

sub9lulu

iTrader: (7)

you follow exact what the FSM says ?
do a write up on it on the difficult parts plz
coz i want more vert info

JPA

did you do the targa too or just the rear? I paid $700 for black vinyl rear only, installed, and looks like new

kmags

just the rear

jdonnell

iTrader: (1)

kmags, I had seen Robbins tops advertised over and over but never knew what kind of top it was. Thanks for the info. I've seen other cars with replacement tops that ruin the appearance because they just dont look factory tops.

I do plan on a top within the next year or so, maybe sooner, and will go with the Robbins. I'll save for the chocolate banana
yoo-hoo

Thanks
Jim D

vaughnc

Did you replace any seals or weather stripping?

A quick writeup of the difficult stuff would be great. I'm thinking about doing this on a buy-fix-n-sell I have right now.

kmags

I didn't replace any weather stripping or seals, except for the 'seal tape' where the top connects to the body near the trunk. I just used 3/4" rubber weatherstripping from home depot and it worked out great.

As far as the Robbins top goes, two different upholstery shops near me told me that it was the best top available. mmmmm yoo-hoo

jdonnell

iTrader: (1)

I browsed for Robbins prices and several sites said 'Don't attempt to install the top yourself'. What are the hard parts that make them say this?

Jim D

kmags

the only part so far ( I still have to cut in the window) that was pretty hard was bolting down the back part to the body near the trunk (the part where you hook your top boot onto). Other than trying to line up those holes after drilling them, it really isn't that hard. Yes, it's time consuming, but so is working for an extra 400 dollars to have it installed at a shop. Would I do it again, you bet.

jdonnell

iTrader: (1)

But the holes you drill out are already marked by Robbins, right? Or do you have to measure them out yourself? I can see me doing some major damage.

Hell yeah, save $400!

Jim D

kmags

the back holes aren't marked. the front ones are. Major damage? hmmmm probably not, but damage.....I did. Nothing big though. Just an extra hole, okay extra two holes, but nothing that you can see, or leak later. Did I mention that I'm available to help install tops. My fee has been reduced to 1/2 case of yoo-hoo.

jdonnell

iTrader: (1)

Case of yoo-hoo is quite expensive. I can see paying for cases of beer, thats a legitiment expense. Where in FL do you live?

It'll probably be March before I install one. I'm changing struts as my next project. I have Tokicos but I think they suck. I put KYBs on my Probe and they are much much better (my opinion). So, I'm going to convert over to KYBs. After that I'll go for the top

Jim D

kmags

I live in Sarasota. I had Tokico Ilumminas on my 92 civic hatch (no huge spoiler, no altezzas, no big fart can, no big tach, no neon, no flourescent paint, no body kit = no rice I really liked being able to adjust them. 1-2 was okay for driving around and 5 felt like riding on a skateboard.

Parastie

If you would please, pics of the newly installed top would be nice!

kmags

okay, if you can find a 6 pack of Hacker Pschor beer, I'll help you with it! I can't find that stuff anywhere down here.

I will post pics this weekend when it's finished. Promise.

kmags

I cut in the rear window tonight. Surprisingly, this was the easiest part of the whole deal. It took me about an hour and some change to get the window in and sealed properly. Now I just have to try and remember where I put all those interior parts and screws. Ugh.