Replacing your convertible top with a Robbins Top
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
I seriously doubt it took less than 3 hours. It takes a lot longer than that just to take all the interior out and put it back in. Plus the cheapest that a shop could do it around here was $1400-1600 (car dropped off for 3-4 days) and it cost me like $600-700 to buy the top, so I saved almost a grand and had it done much quicker. Also no shops around here were willing to do the glass window conversions so not only did I save $1000 and get it done faster, but I also have a better top. And I can't see how a shop would have done a better job considering mine fits perfectly and has no problems whatsoever.
Many people, myself included, pride themselves in doing their own work on their car. You may not feel this way and you may rather just drop it off and pay some guy to do it, but I enjoy doing my own work. And it took me that long because I made sure to do it right.
I've heard mixed reviews about the cloth top too... looks great when new but it wears out faster and looks like shit when it gets dirty.
Many people, myself included, pride themselves in doing their own work on their car. You may not feel this way and you may rather just drop it off and pay some guy to do it, but I enjoy doing my own work. And it took me that long because I made sure to do it right.
I've heard mixed reviews about the cloth top too... looks great when new but it wears out faster and looks like shit when it gets dirty.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I seriously doubt it took less than 3 hours. It takes a lot longer than that just to take all the interior out and put it back in. Plus the cheapest that a shop could do it around here was $1400-1600 (car dropped off for 3-4 days) and it cost me like $600-700 to buy the top, so I saved almost a grand and had it done much quicker. Also no shops around here were willing to do the glass window conversions so not only did I save $1000 and get it done faster, but I also have a better top. And I can't see how a shop would have done a better job considering mine fits perfectly and has no problems whatsoever.
Many people, myself included, pride themselves in doing their own work on their car. You may not feel this way and you may rather just drop it off and pay some guy to do it, but I enjoy doing my own work. And it took me that long because I made sure to do it right.
I've heard mixed reviews about the cloth top too... looks great when new but it wears out faster and looks like shit when it gets dirty.
Many people, myself included, pride themselves in doing their own work on their car. You may not feel this way and you may rather just drop it off and pay some guy to do it, but I enjoy doing my own work. And it took me that long because I made sure to do it right.
I've heard mixed reviews about the cloth top too... looks great when new but it wears out faster and looks like shit when it gets dirty.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I am going to try the soft top install myself. The local shop wants $650 to do it. Do the seats and roll bars have to be removed before installing the top? What about special tools? I will probably get my top from Auto Tops Direct, the cloth top is $632 shipped.Do you have any instructions you could share...or advice?
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,171
Likes: 0
From: Jax. Florida
I seriously doubt it took less than 3 hours. It takes a lot longer than that just to take all the interior out and put it back in. Plus the cheapest that a shop could do it around here was $1400-1600 (car dropped off for 3-4 days) and it cost me like $600-700 to buy the top, so I saved almost a grand and had it done much quicker. Also no shops around here were willing to do the glass window conversions so not only did I save $1000 and get it done faster, but I also have a better top. And I can't see how a shop would have done a better job considering mine fits perfectly and has no problems whatsoever.
Many people, myself included, pride themselves in doing their own work on their car. You may not feel this way and you may rather just drop it off and pay some guy to do it, but I enjoy doing my own work. And it took me that long because I made sure to do it right.
I've heard mixed reviews about the cloth top too... looks great when new but it wears out faster and looks like shit when it gets dirty.
Many people, myself included, pride themselves in doing their own work on their car. You may not feel this way and you may rather just drop it off and pay some guy to do it, but I enjoy doing my own work. And it took me that long because I made sure to do it right.
I've heard mixed reviews about the cloth top too... looks great when new but it wears out faster and looks like shit when it gets dirty.
Ive done over 50 tops now for people here in Florida and I do them in less than 3 hours while the person waits, hangs out and watches. You dont have to take out any interior pieces at all. just the back dash section.
I charges less than 400.00 to keep the total cost for them under a grand. 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Ive done over 50 tops now for people here in Florida and I do them in less than 3 hours while the person waits, hangs out and watches. You dont have to take out any interior pieces at all. just the back dash section. I charges less than 400.00 to keep the total cost for them under a grand.
I charges less than 400.00 to keep the total cost for them under a grand. 
I went by the tutorial on this thread which calls for the removal of the seats, all trim pieces behind the seats, the center console, etc. I guess when you do 50 tops you learn some shortcuts. Like I said doing my own top was my best option because the cheapest shop wanted $1000 just for labor, they wanted to keep the car for 3 days, they wouldn't do the glass window, and because I like doing it. But hey like I said some people would rather just drop it off and have someone else do it.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 18
From: South Carolina
I've done quite a few tops myself, and the only things you HAVE to remove are the rear tray pieces. I usually remove the seats bc it gives me a little more room and don't have to run the risk of damaging them.
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by D_Spec' timestamp='[url="tel:1338832859"
1338832859[/url]' post='21752925]
[quote name='Jag528' timestamp='1338402465' post='21740620']
I seriously doubt it took less than 3 hours. It takes a lot longer than that just to take all the interior out and put it back in. Plus the cheapest that a shop could do it around here was $1400-1600 (car dropped off for 3-4 days) and it cost me like $600-700 to buy the top, so I saved almost a grand and had it done much quicker. Also no shops around here were willing to do the glass window conversions so not only did I save $1000 and get it done faster, but I also have a better top. And I can't see how a shop would have done a better job considering mine fits perfectly and has no problems whatsoever.
Many people, myself included, pride themselves in doing their own work on their car. You may not feel this way and you may rather just drop it off and pay some guy to do it, but I enjoy doing my own work. And it took me that long because I made sure to do it right.
I've heard mixed reviews about the cloth top too... looks great when new but it wears out faster and looks like shit when it gets dirty.
[quote name='Jag528' timestamp='1338402465' post='21740620']
I seriously doubt it took less than 3 hours. It takes a lot longer than that just to take all the interior out and put it back in. Plus the cheapest that a shop could do it around here was $1400-1600 (car dropped off for 3-4 days) and it cost me like $600-700 to buy the top, so I saved almost a grand and had it done much quicker. Also no shops around here were willing to do the glass window conversions so not only did I save $1000 and get it done faster, but I also have a better top. And I can't see how a shop would have done a better job considering mine fits perfectly and has no problems whatsoever.
Many people, myself included, pride themselves in doing their own work on their car. You may not feel this way and you may rather just drop it off and pay some guy to do it, but I enjoy doing my own work. And it took me that long because I made sure to do it right.
I've heard mixed reviews about the cloth top too... looks great when new but it wears out faster and looks like shit when it gets dirty.
Ive done over 50 tops now for people here in Florida and I do them in less than 3 hours while the person waits, hangs out and watches. You dont have to take out any interior pieces at all. just the back dash section.
I charges less than 400.00 to keep the total cost for them under a grand. [/quote]
3 hours?! That's really impressive! Took me a good weekend to do it...