Replacement Convertible Top Survey/Questionaire

[Steve Corgan]

Originally Posted by sabi

I uderstand the two piece thing, my question is, can I reuse the glass with its attached component? if not does the top replacement that are sold like haartz stayfast include this rear window component (the material not the glass)?

Isn't the glass bonded the the fabric on the bottom side? The wife's gone with the vert so I can't check, but I think the window is zippered on 3 sides and bonded on the fourth. We never open it. What's your's like? Even if it can be separated, I've never seen the window offered separately from the piece that holds it, and it's doubtful that your window would fit another brand top.

We're grilling hamburgers for father's day. Since I got to pick the meal (but also must pay for it) I chose burgers, chips, B-beans, and beer. The wife's in the vert getting the grub. I'll look at it when she gets home.

After I pop a beer of course.

[sabi]

on mine the zipper is on top going from side to side.
I think it can be seperated from the fabric just fine.
I actually opened it today, and worked fine.

[sabi]

made some phonecalls,bottomline is, top is in two parts, rear part with window always comes together. your old one will become a spare if you need a new rear section. If the rear section, meaning the fabric is ok and has not seperated from the glass, than dont order that part, just get a new top, the color might be somewhat mismatched due to ware and age, but to me that is not a big deal.
it seems I'll only need the top part, my glass and rear fabric is not torn so it will be reused. I think stayfast will do for this project will look to buy this week.

[cdaly]

http://www.carhood.com/saab.htm lists a 1986-1994 Saab 900 hood and under-window. This is the cloth strip under the rear window. It separately lists a rear window which is the vinyl bit with glass.

You should be able to separate the cloth strip from the glass. If your local supplier won't do the under-window strip, maybe these people will...

[sabi]

I found a local top maker, I am getting the entire top (both top and rear section). for $ 500 and that is the twilfast/quilfast , it seems much better than stayfast in quality. It is a better weave and feels stronger. Looks very similar to my original German canvas. Except I went with black not tan.
I'll look to install it sometime this month, will follow up with results.

[jameschong]

Stumbled onto your thread as I am looking to replace mine too....

Can you let me know how it went? Would be good to learn a thing or two.... more...

[Tennisdad]

I really admire you DIY'ers. I just don't have the mechanical chops or the courage. [not to mention the time.

The '92 vert i got a couple months ago had a top that was disintegrating before my eyes.[probably the original. I got a few quotes and had it done in San Jose.
They were going to put in the american fabric, but the co sent them the german so they installed that. I didn't get the window package, but they had an extra piece of material in the top kit and used that on the bottom of the window and sealed it with some acrylic glue[?] they also fabricated the straps that are between the 2 top layers [didn't replace the headliner either as it was in pretty good shape]
It took 2 days and cost $1300 and I was told not to put the top down for 2 weeks so it could stretch--but I got a handsome top [blue] and the car is sooo much more quiet than before. I am putting it up and down now and it seems to work fine, but haven't tried putting the plastic covers over it yet [the frame seems to stickup more, but that could be my imagination-won't know till I try to get those back pieces on to cover it.

Again kudos to all who do it on their own

[woywitka]

Is is much a a pita to change the top assembly?


I have a convertible parts car with an original top in perfect condition. The car was rarely used but suffered serious front suspension rot related to a battery leak.

I would like to change over the entire assembly as I think this shoudl be easier, am I right?

Bentley says this is a dealer job and offeres ZERO help.

[900t]

Don't tell me you are taking that nice one apart

[sabi]

sorry for the delay
The install was not as bad as I imagined
came out looking sooo much better
take some time out to find the right place, the guy I went with had an ebay ad, I called him and got a better price , he turned out to be a local merchant,
In all it took me one and a half day (removal to finish)

[jameschong]

Originally Posted by sabi

sorry for the delay
The install was not as bad as I imagined
came out looking sooo much better
take some time out to find the right place, the guy I went with had an ebay ad, I called him and got a better price , he turned out to be a local merchant,
In all it took me one and a half day (removal to finish)

In addition to the staple gun, what glue did you use?

[saabjunky]

What was the name of the company you used?

[sabi]

The shop is in Walden, NY

The owner is George Putt, his Ebay ID is puttcam
I dont have his phone, but contact him through his Ebay acct.
He has had his business over 30 years, Good selection of material for your top
I was very satisfied