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New top is on. If anyone has any tips about how to do the initial close of the top I would appreciate it. It seems like it is just not coming forward enough by a few millimeters to get the latch in. Temporarily to help it to stretch more I moved the latch forward by a bolt hole so that they can hold it down like it is in the picture.
The interior finished up nice. All the proper screws and clips are in place now. I even replaced all the felt and foam insulators that had deteriorated. I have not put the wind screen back yet as you can see in the picture. Plus my sweaty hand mark on top on the console
Last edited by jsullyboy; Apr 11, 2022 at 04:58 AM.
The top replacement took me a full two weekends. One weekend to dismantle, a ton of time cleaning, fixing and repainting interior parts. Which I did in the evenings during the week. Then another full weekend to install it all. I took my time bagged and labeled all the parts I took off. Checked which parts were correct and replaced incorrect parts with the right ones. I found these clips on Amazon:
. Most of them were missing. These clips hold on the rear tray and some of the interior panels. Plus the door sills. With the new clips the door sills are much tighter now.
I had all the panels back, center console and realized that I missed the panel on the back of the center console. Much swearing occurred at this point. Had to take it all out again which was fun in order to get that panel in because it fits under the tray and screws into the back of the center console. Amazing though how much quicker I took it apart the second time knowing where everything was and the right sequence.
Over all a tedious job that takes great flexibility and patience but can be done by a DIYer if you take your time and do your research.
Finally got the top shut tight. It has not been warm lately which was working against me. But having one person in the car pulling down with another person outside the car pushing the top forward worked. I will leave closed for a couple of weeks and hopefully we will get some sunny days and I will let it warm a couple of afternoons in the sun. Got the seats back too. Love the smell of new leather in the car. All ready for summer.
Waiting for the OEM lip spoiler to come. Cars and coffee season starts Tuesday in my area. Should be fun. Driving around I get lots of thumbs up and waves.
I replaced the clutch master and slave cylinders. No leaks and it is working well. I notice when the car is warmed up at normal operating temperature the clutch feels like it sticks a bit close to the floor. I am thinking this is the release bearing guide has become grooved over the years. I will replace the clutch in the fall and the bearing guide, engine main seal, transmission main seal. I am thinking I will replace the thermostat too since I need to get at the top bolt of the starter to replace the clutch. I will have the air box off, alternator off - so may as well take advantage of that. I have already purchased the stronger drive shaft bolts from LHT performance too.
Got the 20th Anniversary spoiler painted and installed. Replaced the rear bumper cover too with a new OEM cover. The old one was too far damaged. Plus put back all the proper clips and screws and bumper impact foam.
Also got paint-less dent removal done all around the car.
