Well, I tried to clean my window, and failed. I used a fancy kit that involved multiple grades of grit and a pad hookedup to a drill, but the damage was too deep. I mean, it lets more light through, but you can't see to drive by. So I found a local shop willing to try the conversion. A couple questions:

1) The guy said a top would be $1200 from Honda. It looks like hardtopguy has it for $850. Why so much cheaper?

2) Rear defroster. I saw someone mention they hooked it up. Are there instructions available anywhere?

3) Any new tips/tricks/additions to Clovis' guide that I should pass on?


thanks,

 

Hardtopguy is a dealer. He'll hook you up. No outrageous mark ups like other Honda dealers.

 

bump it for u.
I am interested for the defroster too.

 

I did the top coversion myself a few months ago. I didn't hook up the defroster but it should be fairly easy to do. '00-'01 models come wired for the hardtop defroster with the harness running from under the console to behind the driver's seat. I'm purely guessing, but all you should need to hook up the new soft top defroster would be a connection to plug into the glass, enough wire to get from the glass to the existing harness, and the hardtop switch to mount in the console.

 

The price Honda charges is outrageous for anything. I just replaced "MY01" convertible (however, I stayed with the plastic window style) the new one is cloth and the cost was $525 parts and $350 labor. There are several aftermarket convertible roof companies that make our exact roof. The quality is superior for both the cloth and plastic window.

I also priced the glass version through aftermarket companies and the price was the same (maybe $25 higher) however, I could not find a local installer who felt confident about modifying my current frame, they all suggested getting the MY02-04 frame kit for installation-that I could not afford to do.

 

http://www.convertibletopguys.com/cgi-loca...at.cgi?cat=1011

here is the link to haartz roofs for $525 (cloth-not vinyl)

 

That's pretty cool-

Whats the main difference between cloth and vinyl tops? Is your top lined? Is your car quieter now?

 

Alexz,

Did you do the top switch yourself? Or did someone install it? Anyways, Just curious if you had a company do the work and how much it cost for the install.

 

I've done a complete '02 conversion on my car. Soft-top, motor, and frame. Everything was a direct fit.

But to answer the question about the defroster. I use to have a hardtop, so I had the harness that plugged into the center console where the defroster button sits. The problem you will run into is that the defroster harness that comes on the soft-top will not plug into the wire harness that was meant for the hardtop to plug into, the connector plugs are different. What you have to do is buy the defroster wire harness that comes on a hardtop, cut the connector of the soft-top's wire harness and attach the hardtops harness plug onto it, then you'll be able to plug that into the wire harness provided in a hardtop defroster kit.

I know that sounds confusing, but it's easier to do than it is to type it out.

 

Lukemc01 The difference between the vinyl (OEM) and cloth is the cloth is a little thicker than the vinyl (it is lined with vinyl just like the OEM) and it has a nicer finish. It does not appear to be any quieter than the original roof.


Rickjames Actually I had a local installer purchase and install the roof for a total of $950 (includes parts and labor). I checked and found out where they got the roof from afterwards.

I had done a lot of research on having the window fixed (it was split) alone -vs- replacing the entire roof. By the time it was all done, I paid and extra $150-$175 to have the whole new roof, and I like the look of the cloth better than the original. I anticipate holding MY01 for at least three more years and I felt the original probably would not last the 3-4 year period (it would be 6-7 years old).