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Convertible Top Installation Instructions

 
 
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Removing The Old Top From Your Car

Step 1
Lower all windows on your car and lower top into rear well compartment. Across the front bow, observe the cordwelt, metal retainer and rubber weather strip. The cordwelt is a round beaded material that is tacked in place underneath the metal retainer. Remove the phillips screws from metal retainer and phillips screws from end of rubber weather strip. Remove metal retainer but be careful not to damage the ends of rubber weatherstrip. This weatherstrip can hang loosely during the entire installation. Carefully pry off the cordwelt, as it will be recovered with matching material the same as new top and used again after the new top has been installed. Now pry off the top from the front bow tacking strip and remove most of the tacks or staples.
Step 2
Raise the top half way and cut it loose from the flap at side of the front bow. Be careful not to cut the pad material. Close the top to windshield but put a support about 5" thick between the front bow and the windshield. This will remove the tension from the rest of the top and rear window.
Step 3
Remove the right and left weatherstrip from the curved part of the frame where the side window fits when you close the side window. This weatherstrip is part of the car frame and is disassembled from the frame by removing three nuts and washers on the inside of the car at the curved section of the frame. Remove the nuts and pull the weatherstripping away from the curved frame. Release the flap from the frame that is cemented to the curved section.
Step 4

On the inside of car at the rear well compartment (where top nests when folded), remove the flat head phillips screws in back of the rear cushion. At the side of the rear well compartment remove the three flat head phillips screws and the one flat head phillips screw attached to the lower flap. Lift up the well compartment and remove all of the hex-head machine bolts from rear and sides of car body. Also remove the two end phillips screws. You can now release the entire rear section of the old top and curtain from the car body.
Step 5
Cover the rear trunk area with a blanket to prevent scratching any painted surface of your car. Lift out the rear section that was bolted to the car, and place it on the blanket. Carefully pry off the old top material from edge of well compartment section. Note that the well compartment material and the old top material are tacked to curved forms called "trim sticks". When removing the old top from the trim sticks, be careful not to tear well compartment material as this section is not removed from the trim sticks when the old top is released from the trim sticks. Now pry the short trim sticks from the top. Be sure to mark each stick as to which end faces forward because it is a curved stick and must be replaced in the same manner when you tack it to the new top. Remove the metal tips and the old welt across the rear bow, and pry the rear bow from the top. Lift up the side quarter material at the rear of the car and release the wire cable from the sides of old top. Pull out the wire cable from the front of the top.
Important: To remove the old top from the center bows, carefully peel the old top from the material that is attached to the center bows. You can re-use these bow covers if they are in good condition. New bow material is supplied with the new top and can be used if needed. Remove the old top from the car frame.
Step 6
Mark the position on the rear bow and the trim stick of the rear quarter webbing. Carefully untack the webbing as it will be reinstalled after the new curtain has been tacked to the trim stick. Pry off the curtain from the rear bow and remove the curtain and the well compartment from car. On a table, pry off the rear curtain from trim stick.

 

 

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