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Changing the convertible top - 6G Celicas Forums

Topic #82447 20 posts Started by match220
My top came in the mail yesterday, it's pretty exciting. There was supposed to be a installation manual that came with the top, I guess that is coming with another box. How long of a process is this? One day? Half day? all day? I'm a mechanic by trade, so I'm kinda quick when it comes to working on a car, I just wanted to know approximately how long this will take.

This post has been edited by match220: Feb 20, 2012 - 2:18 PM

-Jay95 GT conv. project car: Manual, Gen III 3sgte, JN pisons, Eagle rods, overbore, crank knife-edged, crank scraper, ARP head/main/flywheel, Autronic EMS, Haltech Dual Wideband O2 controller, Audi 1.8T individual coils, FMIC and SSQV BOV, 3" downpipe, 3" ultra-high-flow cat, 2.5" Borla muffler, +other01 S2000: FMIC, Haltech EMS, Haltech wideband, 570cc inj, forged pistons/rods, sleeved block, 5 angle valve job, ported and polished02 R6, all stock, except for braided stainless brake lines, frame sliders, and adjustable brake/clutch leve
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QUOTE (match220 @ Feb 18, 2012 - 7:21 PM) *
>My top came in the mail yesterday, it's pretty exciting. There was supposed to be a installation manual that came with the top, I guess that is coming with another box. How long of a process is this? One day? Half day? all day? I'm a mechanic by trade, so I'm kinda quick when it comes to working on a car, I just wanted to know approximately how long this will take.

I would like to know the procedure myself. It does not seem too hard but I hear you need two people to do it.
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QUOTE (xrav22 @ Feb 19, 2012 - 8:07 PM) *
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QUOTE (match220 @ Feb 18, 2012 - 7:21 PM) *
>My top came in the mail yesterday, it's pretty exciting. There was supposed to be a installation manual that came with the top, I guess that is coming with another box. How long of a process is this? One day? Half day? all day? I'm a mechanic by trade, so I'm kinda quick when it comes to working on a car, I just wanted to know approximately how long this will take.

I would like to know the procedure myself. It does not seem too hard but I hear you need two people to do it.


I'll probably start a how-to whenever I start changing the top.

-Jay95 GT conv. project car: Manual, Gen III 3sgte, JN pisons, Eagle rods, overbore, crank knife-edged, crank scraper, ARP head/main/flywheel, Autronic EMS, Haltech Dual Wideband O2 controller, Audi 1.8T individual coils, FMIC and SSQV BOV, 3" downpipe, 3" ultra-high-flow cat, 2.5" Borla muffler, +other01 S2000: FMIC, Haltech EMS, Haltech wideband, 570cc inj, forged pistons/rods, sleeved block, 5 angle valve job, ported and polished02 R6, all stock, except for braided stainless brake lines, frame sliders, and adjustable brake/clutch leve
What do you mean "new top"

Like headliner?
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QUOTE (rave2n @ Feb 20, 2012 - 7:59 AM) *
>What do you mean "new top"

Like headliner?


it's a convertible

-Jay95 GT conv. project car: Manual, Gen III 3sgte, JN pisons, Eagle rods, overbore, crank knife-edged, crank scraper, ARP head/main/flywheel, Autronic EMS, Haltech Dual Wideband O2 controller, Audi 1.8T individual coils, FMIC and SSQV BOV, 3" downpipe, 3" ultra-high-flow cat, 2.5" Borla muffler, +other01 S2000: FMIC, Haltech EMS, Haltech wideband, 570cc inj, forged pistons/rods, sleeved block, 5 angle valve job, ported and polished02 R6, all stock, except for braided stainless brake lines, frame sliders, and adjustable brake/clutch leve
>
QUOTE (match220 @ Feb 20, 2012 - 2:17 PM) *
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QUOTE (rave2n @ Feb 20, 2012 - 7:59 AM) *
>What do you mean "new top"

Like headliner?


it's a convertible

Take step by step pick if you don't mind so I can do it....>
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QUOTE (xrav22 @ Feb 22, 2012 - 5:11 PM) *
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QUOTE (match220 @ Feb 20, 2012 - 2:17 PM) *
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QUOTE (rave2n @ Feb 20, 2012 - 7:59 AM) *
>What do you mean "new top"

Like headliner?


it's a convertible

Take step by step pick if you don't mind so I can do it....>


Will do, I was thinking about doing that anyway. I'll post up the procedures from the installation guide that they sent me when I start. Tools and guide came in the mail yesterday.

-Jay95 GT conv. project car: Manual, Gen III 3sgte, JN pisons, Eagle rods, overbore, crank knife-edged, crank scraper, ARP head/main/flywheel, Autronic EMS, Haltech Dual Wideband O2 controller, Audi 1.8T individual coils, FMIC and SSQV BOV, 3" downpipe, 3" ultra-high-flow cat, 2.5" Borla muffler, +other01 S2000: FMIC, Haltech EMS, Haltech wideband, 570cc inj, forged pistons/rods, sleeved block, 5 angle valve job, ported and polished02 R6, all stock, except for braided stainless brake lines, frame sliders, and adjustable brake/clutch leve
>
QUOTE (match220 @ Feb 22, 2012 - 11:13 PM) *
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QUOTE (xrav22 @ Feb 22, 2012 - 5:11 PM) *
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QUOTE (match220 @ Feb 20, 2012 - 2:17 PM) *
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QUOTE (rave2n @ Feb 20, 2012 - 7:59 AM) *
>What do you mean "new top"

Like headliner?


it's a convertible

Take step by step pick if you don't mind so I can do it....>


Will do, I was thinking about doing that anyway. I'll post up the procedures from the installation guide that they sent me when I start. Tools and guide came in the mail yesterday.

Cool
Best of luck, hope nothing tears or you get the "well I've got three bolts left..." deal.
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QUOTE (Malhar95 @ Feb 23, 2012 - 11:24 AM) *


wow, thanks, that's not what I need though. The top that I ordered came with some instructions for removal. The instructions describe how to remove the cloth top from the frame. I'll be starting it soon since I have everything now. I'm just waiting for an open full day so I can tackle it. Hopefully I can start and finish it in one day.

-Jay95 GT conv. project car: Manual, Gen III 3sgte, JN pisons, Eagle rods, overbore, crank knife-edged, crank scraper, ARP head/main/flywheel, Autronic EMS, Haltech Dual Wideband O2 controller, Audi 1.8T individual coils, FMIC and SSQV BOV, 3" downpipe, 3" ultra-high-flow cat, 2.5" Borla muffler, +other01 S2000: FMIC, Haltech EMS, Haltech wideband, 570cc inj, forged pistons/rods, sleeved block, 5 angle valve job, ported and polished02 R6, all stock, except for braided stainless brake lines, frame sliders, and adjustable brake/clutch leve
where did u get it from?

Learned a lot in 10 years...I hardly log in anymore, last loginToday Sept 6 2019, and I was forced just to clarify a post. LOLIf you PM me and I dont respond, dont fret or cry. Im alive, better post your questions in the thread below, maybe I log back in2grfe Swapped...Why I chose the 2GR, before you ask read here...A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.@llamaraxing in Instagram is the best way to find me. I hardly log here anymore.
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QUOTE (njccmd2002 @ Feb 24, 2012 - 9:06 PM) *
>where did u get it from?


convertibletopguys.com

In the end I think it was close to $700 after shipping. It's canvas, not nylon, has the glass rear window, comes with the right size staples, some other little tools, and an instruction manual. The only thing it didn't come with is a staple gun.

-Jay95 GT conv. project car: Manual, Gen III 3sgte, JN pisons, Eagle rods, overbore, crank knife-edged, crank scraper, ARP head/main/flywheel, Autronic EMS, Haltech Dual Wideband O2 controller, Audi 1.8T individual coils, FMIC and SSQV BOV, 3" downpipe, 3" ultra-high-flow cat, 2.5" Borla muffler, +other01 S2000: FMIC, Haltech EMS, Haltech wideband, 570cc inj, forged pistons/rods, sleeved block, 5 angle valve job, ported and polished02 R6, all stock, except for braided stainless brake lines, frame sliders, and adjustable brake/clutch leve
wow, locally places CHANGE the top with glass for 900, assuming ur frame is in good condition

For Sale:OEM tail lights - make offer
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QUOTE (Malhar95 @ Feb 25, 2012 - 2:33 PM) *
>wow, locally places CHANGE the top with glass for 900, assuming ur frame is in good condition


yeah, but what materials do they use? When I was researching the best material to use, I found out that the factory top is canvas, and mine lasted 15 years before it started coming apart. The nylon is cheaper and is expected to last about 5 years. I think the nylon tops with the rear glass were $400 before shipping.

This post has been edited by match220: Feb 25, 2012 - 7:44 PM

-Jay95 GT conv. project car: Manual, Gen III 3sgte, JN pisons, Eagle rods, overbore, crank knife-edged, crank scraper, ARP head/main/flywheel, Autronic EMS, Haltech Dual Wideband O2 controller, Audi 1.8T individual coils, FMIC and SSQV BOV, 3" downpipe, 3" ultra-high-flow cat, 2.5" Borla muffler, +other01 S2000: FMIC, Haltech EMS, Haltech wideband, 570cc inj, forged pistons/rods, sleeved block, 5 angle valve job, ported and polished02 R6, all stock, except for braided stainless brake lines, frame sliders, and adjustable brake/clutch leve
>
QUOTE (match220 @ Feb 25, 2012 - 7:43 PM) *
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QUOTE (Malhar95 @ Feb 25, 2012 - 2:33 PM) *
>wow, locally places CHANGE the top with glass for 900, assuming ur frame is in good condition


yeah, but what materials do they use? When I was researching the best material to use, I found out that the factory top is canvas, and mine lasted 15 years before it started coming apart. The nylon is cheaper and is expected to last about 5 years. I think the nylon tops with the rear glass were $400 before shipping.



they said canvas. and it felt like the factory one i have. just a little softer

For Sale:OEM tail lights - make offer
>
QUOTE (Malhar95 @ Feb 25, 2012 - 7:08 PM) *
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QUOTE (match220 @ Feb 25, 2012 - 7:43 PM) *
>>
QUOTE (Malhar95 @ Feb 25, 2012 - 2:33 PM) *
>wow, locally places CHANGE the top with glass for 900, assuming ur frame is in good condition


yeah, but what materials do they use? When I was researching the best material to use, I found out that the factory top is canvas, and mine lasted 15 years before it started coming apart. The nylon is cheaper and is expected to last about 5 years. I think the nylon tops with the rear glass were $400 before shipping.



they said canvas. and it felt like the factory one i have. just a little softer


either way, i'm in Hawaii. It's not cheap to have stuff done here because of high property taxes. I've asked an upholstery place before about doing a motorcycle seat. They said $80, and it's not even $10 of material. I can't imagine it taking longer than 30 minutes. Besides, I would be happy doing it myself to save $200 if it was only $900 to have it done here.

-Jay95 GT conv. project car: Manual, Gen III 3sgte, JN pisons, Eagle rods, overbore, crank knife-edged, crank scraper, ARP head/main/flywheel, Autronic EMS, Haltech Dual Wideband O2 controller, Audi 1.8T individual coils, FMIC and SSQV BOV, 3" downpipe, 3" ultra-high-flow cat, 2.5" Borla muffler, +other01 S2000: FMIC, Haltech EMS, Haltech wideband, 570cc inj, forged pistons/rods, sleeved block, 5 angle valve job, ported and polished02 R6, all stock, except for braided stainless brake lines, frame sliders, and adjustable brake/clutch leve
ok guys, don't do this yourself. It's ridiculously hard to do, even for someone that does everything else to a car for work. I got stuck and had to call a friend that used to work at an upholstery shop owned by his brother. His exact words were "some upholstery guys can't do this". He helped me and was having some trouble himself. We had to staple it and unstaple it a couple times before it actually was at the point where he said I can do the rest. It's mostly on right now, the hard part is over and now I'm back to engine stuff so I can drive it. I'll do the finishing touches later once it stretches out.

This post has been edited by match220: Mar 28, 2012 - 5:00 PM

-Jay95 GT conv. project car: Manual, Gen III 3sgte, JN pisons, Eagle rods, overbore, crank knife-edged, crank scraper, ARP head/main/flywheel, Autronic EMS, Haltech Dual Wideband O2 controller, Audi 1.8T individual coils, FMIC and SSQV BOV, 3" downpipe, 3" ultra-high-flow cat, 2.5" Borla muffler, +other01 S2000: FMIC, Haltech EMS, Haltech wideband, 570cc inj, forged pistons/rods, sleeved block, 5 angle valve job, ported and polished02 R6, all stock, except for braided stainless brake lines, frame sliders, and adjustable brake/clutch leve
Call your boy up when its ready!!!! I'll take my chance and throw all the TRD parts back on and slam the car again just to welcome you car back!!

I don't normally drive fast, but when I do its on a curvy section of this island
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QUOTE (808celica @ Mar 28, 2012 - 6:28 PM) *
>Call your boy up when its ready!!!! I'll take my chance and throw all the TRD parts back on and slam the car again just to welcome you car back!!


awesome..thanks bro! I believe I have all of the parts needed for it (including the four coil over plugs coming in the mail...YAY). Now I just have to spend the mext week putting everything together. Actually I still have to do my intake tubing now that I think about it. But that should be the only thing lacking that I don't have. I have the next week free to work on it, so that's exactly what I'll be doing biggrin.gif, especially now that my top is keeping out the rain.

-Jay95 GT conv. project car: Manual, Gen III 3sgte, JN pisons, Eagle rods, overbore, crank knife-edged, crank scraper, ARP head/main/flywheel, Autronic EMS, Haltech Dual Wideband O2 controller, Audi 1.8T individual coils, FMIC and SSQV BOV, 3" downpipe, 3" ultra-high-flow cat, 2.5" Borla muffler, +other01 S2000: FMIC, Haltech EMS, Haltech wideband, 570cc inj, forged pistons/rods, sleeved block, 5 angle valve job, ported and polished02 R6, all stock, except for braided stainless brake lines, frame sliders, and adjustable brake/clutch leve