Ralph,
Are you going to be doing the headliner, new foam, webbing, etc?
I loaned Dave my video & papers on how to do it; I'm sure he can lend them to you - I forget his exact screen name Daverted74SUN? - video shows a good step by step procedure, and tells you one or 2 things to look out for.
One thing I did not like about mine, is the vinyl sides do not come down enough, either the foam was a little too thick, or the top vinyl was not wide enough or I could not stretch it enough - and I've tried! There is a lot of stretching that goes on at the end, I coached someone out west with his Karman-ghia in doing it. I got all those parts from Chucks convertible. Also got the wood bow from him. My recommendations are to get the top at least from the people who made the video. I cant remember their name, but heard they have very good tops
BEFORE doing the rear window (I'm not sure where you are in this project, but in talking with Chuck, he convinced me to use a solid hard rubber piece for the rear window, not the metal/wood - mine is a 73, yours being a 79, I am not sure what you use - all metal?) if what I am saying applies, go with the hard rubber, it works, I can tell you more about it if it is applicable. In short, I was concerned, staples were not holding, put more in, and it held fine. No worries about water reaching any wood & rotting!
Ok, the window. Yes rope is used, as well as a rented 453 pound gorilla.
The first time, I took it to a vw shop, the guy and his big co-worker worked liked the NJ devil in trying to get it in, I ended up helping him.
The other 2 times, I put it in with the help of my brother, and it was an incredible bear to get it in, - make sure the glass is perfectly centered or else it will not fit -and you notice it when the error window is more than half way in, then you have to start again, so make sure, I've been there..
It takes rope, baby powder, and a lot of strength and more than anything,.. perseverance. but don?t let me scare ya :icon_wink:. There are more than enough people in the club that could help with it, including me. & if you need help with the top, let me know, I'm in Pa, but will travel. But doing it all is easily a one man job. Just take your time with it, get an electric stapler ( If $ is tight I can mail you mine to borrow, nothing fantastic, but it worked), and you'll do fine. The window is just tough to get in, and cutting the hole for the back window is real scary!
Matt
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Topic: Convertible top installer. Recommend someone? (Read 10240 times)