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Convertible Top Installation Instructions

 
 
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Installing The New Top

Step 1
Replace the old bow covers, if necessary. Take out the screws from the center bows on the inside of the car. Remove the metal bar from the sleeve and insert it into the new bow cover. With a pointed tool, locate the holes and re-install the bow cover assembly to the center bows.
Step 2
On a table, tack the short trim sticks to the lower side quarter material. Match the punch outs and be sure the front of the trim stick faces the front of the top as previously masked. Place the top over the frame of the car and adjust and center the top into position. Push the wire cable through sleeve from the front of the side quarter. Be sure to do the same on the other side. Release the top from the windshield and raise it half way to release the tension. Lift up the side quarter material at the rear of the car and attach the wire cable to the frame. Tighten the hex-nuts securely. Lower the top to the windshield and put a support about 5" thick between the front bow and the windshield.
Step 3
Again, remove the bolts and the phillips screws from the trim stick and release the curtain and well compartment from the car body. Lift out the assembly so that the side quarter material can be tacked to the long trim stick. Match the punch-out in the side quarter material to the punch-out in the trim stick and tack securely. Follow the same alignment of the side quarter material toward the rear on the trim stick and tack. Note that material only covers half of the punch-out.
Step 4
Place the entire section of the curtain, top and well compartment into the rear of the car. Start with the end phillips screw so that the top and the curtain will be centered on the car. Follow same procedure as the rear curtain installation (Step 2) but note that some adjustment may be necessary by sliding the trim stick forward or to the rear.
Step 5
Lock the front bow to the windshield and roll up the door windows. Do not roll up the side quarter windows at this time. Stretch the top forward and set it in place over the door windows. Pull the material forward and down so that the binding on the side quarters barely skims the top edge of the door window when you open and close the doors. As you stretch the material forward, insert a few thin nails through the material and underneath the front bow to hold the top in place temporarily. Check the position of the top on the rear bow. The welded seam on the side quarters must fit in the center of the rear bow. If necessary, stretch the top forward again and reposition. Tack the material to the rear bow. Also tack the welded seam to rear bow. Be sure to place tacks in center of the rear bow so that they will be covered when you install the wire on trim. When the top is smooth and free of wrinkles, mark a line across the front of the top on the edge of the front bow. You can feel the edge through the fabric as you mark to the other side.
Step 6
Raise the top half way and stand on inside of car. Start in the center and pull the material forward at least 1/2" so that marked line is 1/2" lower than the front edge of the front bow. This additional stretch will set the top material smooth. Spot tack the material approximately every six inches. When tacked, lower the top and fasten it to the windshield. Check to make sure that the top fits properly over the door windows. If necessary, untack the fabric to make any needed adjustments such as additional stretch forward or repositioning over the door windows. When tacked securely, trim off the excess material one inch below tacks.

 

 

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