Loki's new top!

[Loki]

So I ordered a new top and window from Topsonline a few weeks ago and just had it installed this past weekend. Installer was admittedly a bit more pricey than what most of you would probably pay, but there's not much choice in vert-hating Pennsylvania. Installer was a great guy and does good work, so I'm happy.

Well, I was happy. Until I got back to my car from class and noticed something was a bit off...Can you spot it?



Yes, apparently the top is roughly 1/4" too wide and as such the windows don't shut properly unless I push the door by the window. I called up the installer and he said there's really not much he can do since the top is installed dead on. So my next course of action is calling up EZ-On tops and demanding a new top and labor credit to get it put on. Thankfully I have the warranty card that came with the top and it should be covered. Anyone else had any problems with EZ On or Topsonline like this?

[cmkelly]

DoH! That sucks dude. It reminds me of the 90's Mercedes SL convertibles: when you would lift the door handle the window would go down 1" to allow the door to close and the top was over the window. Not so much on the 240 however. My top was made by Hartz and fit perfectly. Sorry.

[94_240sx]

Thanks for the info. EZ-On top is out of my list. I'll go with Elektron, Hartz or something other than EZ-On for sure. I can't let that happen to my car. I'll be very upset.

[94_240sx]

DoH! That sucks dude. It reminds me of the 90's Mercedes SL convertibles: when you would lift the door handle the window would go down 1" to allow the door to close and the top was over the window. Not so much on the 240 however. My top was made by Hartz and fit perfectly. Sorry.

They still do. It goes down about 1/4 inch and comes back up to seal it tight. All 350Zs do that too.

[Loki]

I'm not sure whether this is a negative on EZ On, or rather more evidence of my curse when trying to get a car worked on.

[EPD]

I am surprised the upholsterer didnt offer to remove it and sew it up where its supposed to be for a little extra $. Personally it looks like you can trim or roll the edges to get the top to fit correctly. I worked at an upholstery shop for a while a few years ago, and not much stuff fits like its supposed to. But we also test fitted things like convertible tops and vinyl tops to make sure if we had to do any alterations. Material stretches quite a bit though and not everything is how its supposed to be. Its hard to believe the guy let the top leave the shop like that though...

whatever happens good luck.

[onosqv]

Do your windows roll up/line up fine w/ the rear quarter & windshield w/ the top down?

Your guy is probably right about the top being too large... but I've personally experienced more than a handful of times when the installer/tech/whoever would blame the part (especially if it is bought not from his shop) rather than the labor performed - 90% of the time, it's because he/she doesn't want to spend the extra labor/time to get it to work perfect in the first place.

[Loki]

I was originally going to wait a couple weeks to see if the top ended up shrinking, but the other night we got some pretty heavy rain and the top apparently leaks as well...excessively. I now have a koi pond under my passenger seat. So maybe both the installer and the top are bad...

[cmkelly]

That really sucks. It's one thing to have it not fit right but another to have it leak too. I feel for you. Hopefully you have some recourse with the installer and manufacturer. good luck!

[johnny butt]

I know this has been covered several times here but I'm also looking for a new top/back window setup.

I remember a guy getting one done, he ordered it online, it fit great and they provided him with a tinted back window already. Anyone have that thread bookmarked or know the user?

Edit: Nevermind, I found these two threads using the same top basically.

Both tops using Stayfast Canvas from EZonTops...

I am hoping you either just got a bad top or your installer sucks terribly.

zer...age=1

zerothread?id=299502

Don't need a new top just yet but when I do I had planned on ordering a similar setup...

[JST2KWIK]

I need a new top desperately! I used my rubber floor mates to cover my back window last rainstorm and want to try to keep the cold out this winter. I also live in PA so any suggestions on reputable places to order a top from or places to get in done in PA? and yeah I know what you mean about the lacking vert community ha

[Loki]

All my problems should be covered, but my time is VASTLY more valuable to me than my money. Trying to get anything done while working 32 hr/wk and classes another 16 hr/wk is a damned exercise in futility. As I mentioned before, it really doesn't help that getting the car worked on by someone turns into a huge ****storm of "I dont know how tah werk on dat dere IMPORT car" or "LOL wtf part goes on this??"

I hate the east coast with a passion now.

[johnny butt]

so, do you think it was a Top (quality) problem, or an installer problem?

Everyone else on this forum I have searched for that used these tops did not have this kind of problem.

It would really suck, especially since i already had my mind set on getting a top from them, if their tops just didn't fit properly...

[GoinTopless240]

Hey Loki,Not real sure what may have caused that. Check the box you got the top in and make sure the part numbers match. I got mine from TopsOnline and they were awesome. The top fits perfect. I did NOT put the new cables in though. Did you car ever have anyone try to break into it. I've seen where people break into cars by pulling on the windows and then sliding something in to unlock them. Maybe it is an alignment of the window issue. Measure the distance across the top. I still have my old one floating around and the new one and we can measure it to see if it is a top problem or installer issue. Just a thought.

[Loki]

I no longer have the box, so I can't check numbers. I will, however, measure it tomorrow. And I don't think it's a problem with the window itself as it fits perfectly well with the triangle piece near the mirror. Not to mention I had no problems when the old top was on.

It also rained pretty hard today. The top leaks a ludicrous amount on the driver's side, so someone ****ed up very badly. I am a very angry and wet Loki at the moment.

[GoinTopless240]

Did you have the cables replaced at same time?

[Loki]

Yes, cables also ordered from Topsonline. Also ended up having the pads replaced as mine were dryrotted. Essentially everything is new save the headliner and frame.

[GoinTopless240]

Here's my guess.. I bet when the cables were put in that something didn't get put back exactly where it was supposed to. The reason I opted not to do the cables is that they travel under a little metal rod behind the side windows (in frame area) and attach to frame area behind rear windows. I'm guessing one of two things may have occured. He may have run the cables OVER the pin making the cables too tight causing the top to pull down or he may not have gotten the rivet back in same spot (getting mine out was a bi*ch - 3 drill bits took it for the team). Just a thought. The top would not close if it was too small. The front header of Top has notches for it to line up on the frame header piece. Hope this helps man. Good luck.

[Blackcandle0]

I just got my new top from EZon and i have absolutely no complaints. my doors shut just fine and its 100 times better than what i had before. i also think i got a good deal on the labor $350 all done. took 4 days but now that winter is here it probably won't see much sunlight.

[Loki]

Seeing as how this thread got bumped anyway, I'll add a bit of an update. I got in touch with Topsonline, who put me through to EZ-ON who asked for a description and pictures. After that they asked me to measure the top and compare it with a diagram of how it should be. I got lengthwise measurements to be dead on, but the sideways measurements were both off by 1/4". I talked to Randy at EZ-ON and he's trying to say it might be a window fitment issue, which it simply isn't. Sure, the door shuts just fine if I roll down the window by about 1/4", but that leaves a gap elsewhere and doesn't sit flush.

I am now awaiting an email from Randy describing further pictures he wishes me to take.

[Loki]

More news! Just got an email back from Ez-On and they'll be sending me a new top within the next couple weeks. They should also front me a labor credit to have it installed.