Convertible-Top Replacement - Going Topless

Cut the wrapped foam along the contour at the header, and flush behind the rear bow where you attached it .

Now the top can be attached to the tack strips. Again, we used the factory-supplied marks to attach the top.

Cut the top where the screws for attaching the tack strip to the body belong.

Don't forget to reinstall the tensioning wires on the sides. These keep tension on the side edges of the top and slide through pockets in the top. They then attach to the top frame.

Lay the top over the frame and slide the back and sides into the well.

After fastening the top of the window panel, lay the top out over the frame.

Reattach the tack strips to the body.

The window panel has a centering mark at the top and aligns with a mark on the rear top bow. Fold the main portion of the top back over the trunk, exposing the top of the window panel. Attach the rear-window panel to the rear bow first.

On the sides (sail panels), there is a flap that should be pulled around the framework.

You should be able to pull the side-panel flap around the framework and have no large wrinkles, but if you do have them, remove the tack strip-with the top-from the body. Move the material slightly lower on the tack strip to remove the wrinkles. Small wrinkles can be removed with the careful use of a hair dryer or heat gun. Don't get the material too tight, or the top will not go up when finished.

When you have the rear of the top properly attached, join the framework to the windshield, pull the top material taut, and mark the edge of the header with a pencil. This mark will be crucial in the next step.

After you apply the contact cement to the header, raise the top a little bit to apply the cement to the bottom side of the header, and fold the material over it. Without the mark, you won't know where to fold.