Tops Install... DIY or Pay to get it done?

[TIMELSS_vert]

I have read most of the write on the replacement, it seems more tedious than anything. However, I wouldn't mind hearing from those who have done it them selves to see if its something I should give a shot. Thanks guys.

-Mike

[krash]

This would help me as well. Somebody answer.

[EPD]

I worked at an upholstery shop for a while and a person can do a convertible top as a diy. If you have a few days and a lot of patience you can get it done no problem. Its more of a two person job as it involves stretching and pulling while keeping the seam straight. If youve got a buddy and a weekend you can do it.

[nissan_star]

I paid someone to do it and it came out ok, I was pissed that it didnt come out perfect. But I would be 10 times more pissed if I couldnt get it to come out perfect myself, and I know I wouldnt be able to, it would have frustrated me for a long time.

[1SickSilvia]

I got a quote to get mine done professionaly today for $1040 plus taxes so I'm really considering doing it myself too.

[GoinTopless240]

It's really not that hard. Having the right tools on hand is a HUGE plus. (Pneumatic stapler, good set of picks ) If I could have gotten the tack strips I would have done those too. The biggest problem was drilling out the rivets (I broke 3 bits - awkward angles). I used little bags to keep the screws in each area (I taped the bags to the area they went back). My personal toughest challange was the screws in the back tack strip. All in all it really is not an impossible task. I'm glad I did it. I also lubed all the pivot points at the same time. If I could have removed the little pin that lock in the side cables, I would have replaced those too. I've done almost all my little tasks to my car myself and learned loads about the car at the same time. I say go for it. Worst that can happen is that you have to have someone pick up where you feel you where over your head. Best thing is that you save some $$ . If you read HiJackers write up at least 100 times you should be able to do it..lol.Good Luck

[wmdavis007]

I have read most of the write on the replacement, it seems more tedious than anything. However, I wouldn't mind hearing from those who have done it them selves to see if its something I should give a shot. Thanks guys.

-Mike

I was thinking of doing my top install myself. I bought my top about a month after getting my car...(I finally looked back and I paid just under $300 for it from an eBay dealer that used to sell them, he is no longer on eBay). After my top sat in the box under my bed for nearly a year and a half I was bound and determined to either install it myself or have it installed. Most of my local shops wouldn't do it with me supplying the top (they quoted me, with there top, between $1000-$1200). Finally found a guy locally that was new to the area, he agreed to do it for...get this...$300. Yes. $300 for the top install. I got really really lucky. He also told me I could have had him order the top and it would have only been around $700 total. With that said, I would ask around. Ask shops about if you supply your on top how much will they charge. Took me about a month of searching around before I found my installer. But if you can't find one to do it for a decent price:Go for it! Take your time and I bet it will turn out great. Good luck. Just for $hit's and giggles here is a pic of how my top turned out:



Best two things I've done to my vert after getting it on the road was: 1. Get a new top 2. Get a new windshield.


Modified by wmdavis007 at 4:55 AM 2/11/2009

[justclay]

Finally found a guy locally that was new to the area, he agreed to do it for...get this...$300. Yes. $300 for the top install. I got really really lucky. He also told me I could have had him order the top and it would have only been around $700 total.

I'm in NC, and to have it done for 300 sounds great, where is he exactly?

[wmdavis007]

I'm in NC, and to have it done for 300 sounds great, where is he exactly?

The name of the guys shop is Jerry's Auto Trim. He is located in Rockingham, NC. He does all types of auto upholstery and convertible tops. He does boats and covers as well. I had mine installed last March so not sure if he has gone up on his prices. He had my car for only three days...so he does pretty fast work as well. I was going to take my car back to have the rear seats covered to match my S14 seats but I haven't got around to it.

[Azrial]

I always heard have a professional do convertible tops. I assume you could do it yourself assuming you can do without your 240 for awhile. Just incase something goes wrong and it takes more time then expected. I'm sure it's more tedious then anything. I haven't ever seen a walk through on how to do this anywhere so if you decide to do it make sure you take plenty of pics It probably requires way more patience then I have. I would end up destroying something somehow. If you decide to do it however good luck man keep us updated.

[wmdavis007]

I always heard have a professional do convertible tops. I assume you could do it yourself assuming you can do without your 240 for awhile. Just incase something goes wrong and it takes more time then expected. I'm sure it's more tedious then anything. I haven't ever seen a walk through on how to do this anywhere so if you decide to do it make sure you take plenty of pics

Here are a few write up's:zerothread?id=243983

zerothread?id=289735

If my buddy didn't get another project car to take up his other bay in his shop I would have tried installing the top myself...kind of glad I didn't.

[yijima]

I found a guy near my local airport, when i got my rear plastic replaced, i asked if i were to get a new top how much would he charge for an install? he said 100. so that's what I'm gonna do. gonna spend 300-500 on a new top. shipped and installed. good deal. I just don't wanna deal with if something goes wrong plus he's old and knows what he's doing.

[MXMOVRDV]

The name of the guys shop is Jerry's Auto Trim. He is located in Rockingham, NC. He does all types of auto upholstery and convertible tops. He does boats and covers as well. I had mine installed last March so not sure if he has gone up on his prices. He had my car for only three days...so he does pretty fast work as well. I was going to take my car back to have the rear seats covered to match my S14 seats but I haven't got around to it.

DUDE!!! I was just searching for this guy. I live in Raeford and NEED a top. It leak's into the trunk(amp-speakers) and into the boot. The area where the top goes when it is down. I am going to call him next week and get a qoute.

[94_240sx]

I opened this thread and was staring at wmdavis' top for a while. It's just gorgeous. Can you ask the guy where he ordered the top and rear window from?