Replaced Plastic Rear Window
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,191
Likes: 10
From: Saint Augustine, FL
The glass piece top uses a different folding mechanism, doesn't it?
As I understand, the two tops are different in where it folds to keep the glass piece flat in the well. I total replacement is required, not just the top or glass.
I'm pretty sure about this one, but could be wrong
As I understand, the two tops are different in where it folds to keep the glass piece flat in the well. I total replacement is required, not just the top or glass.
I'm pretty sure about this one, but could be wrong
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 665
Likes: 13
From: San Diego
wow, so many posts to answer...
RiceBurnerTX: I'm surprised that you replaced it with plastic especially since you did the work yourself. There's only about 30 minutes to 1 hour more work involved with replacing it with glass and maybe $100 difference in price.
laedwards: You can't just replace the glass since the construction of the soft top with glass is different. ie. there is no zipper on the glass soft tops like there is on the plastic ones. I got OEM parts from hardtopguy it was $900 including shipping and defroster parts. I still need to hookup the defroster though. I think the soft top with glass is about $700-$750
Hockey: technically yes, but not really. The folding mechanism is exactly the same with the exception that the center bar on an 02 is about 1 inch more toward the front of the car. The frame costs about $1200 OEM, but you can buy some parts for about $20-30 to modify the top to work like the 02. The only difference is the middle bar, but it works just fine. Afterwards I realized why they moved the bar forward. It's to give a little more space in between the glass and the bar when in the down position.
honda9krpm: I didn't take pictures since the process was time consuming as it was. If you look in the library section, there is a guide on how to do it and it has some pictures. I can take some "after" pictures if you want.
I highly recommend the Helm's service manual though as it helps tremendously doing the install.
David
RiceBurnerTX: I'm surprised that you replaced it with plastic especially since you did the work yourself. There's only about 30 minutes to 1 hour more work involved with replacing it with glass and maybe $100 difference in price.
laedwards: You can't just replace the glass since the construction of the soft top with glass is different. ie. there is no zipper on the glass soft tops like there is on the plastic ones. I got OEM parts from hardtopguy it was $900 including shipping and defroster parts. I still need to hookup the defroster though. I think the soft top with glass is about $700-$750
Hockey: technically yes, but not really. The folding mechanism is exactly the same with the exception that the center bar on an 02 is about 1 inch more toward the front of the car. The frame costs about $1200 OEM, but you can buy some parts for about $20-30 to modify the top to work like the 02. The only difference is the middle bar, but it works just fine. Afterwards I realized why they moved the bar forward. It's to give a little more space in between the glass and the bar when in the down position.
honda9krpm: I didn't take pictures since the process was time consuming as it was. If you look in the library section, there is a guide on how to do it and it has some pictures. I can take some "after" pictures if you want.
I highly recommend the Helm's service manual though as it helps tremendously doing the install.
David
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 665
Likes: 13
From: San Diego
Originally posted by Rusler Firbrand
with everything said and done, was it worth the time and effort and money spent towards this?
with everything said and done, was it worth the time and effort and money spent towards this?
David
