Replacing your convertible top with a Robbins Top
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Joined: Jun 2011
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can anybody enlighten me to whether it would be common for these springs to be more stretched then they appear below
as it's easy to get my fingers under the top above the weatherstrips???
Excellent thread BTW
as it's easy to get my fingers under the top above the weatherstrips???
Excellent thread BTW
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 737
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From: Chambersburg, PA
i just installed a robbins glass top and on my 2001, i performed all the retrofit correctly and everything seems ok. the only thing im concerned about is when the top is completely down the rear bow seems to rest on the glass pretty firm. im concerned about it possibly breaking over like bumpy roads.
has anybody came across this , or is this normal?
has anybody came across this , or is this normal?
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: phila
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.
.....so u saved what ? I pride myself enough to pay for a pro to the job ...I dont wanna practice on my pride and joy
And if you've heard cloth tops are not better in ever way , your wrong ..again ..ever see a MERC OR BMW top ..always cloth ...nuff said , they are so much nicer its foolish to even say anything but ..but you know better ...right
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 426
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From: St. Louis, MO
Lol haters now. I don't care what you paid to have it done. If it had only cost me 1000 to have it done I would have probably dropped it off at a shop. But it would have cost me close to 1600. If you actually read my post you would understand that.
And lol "practice"? It's not hard stuff, if you're at all competent (maybe you're not, I don't know), you can get it done. It's just time consuming. Yes it took me a long time but if I did it for a living I could probably get it done quicker. Sorry that I would rather take my time and get it done right than rush through it in 2 hours and do a shitty job. And again, if you actually read my post you would see that I agree cloth tops look better.
But anyway thanks for reviving an almost 2 month old debate.
And lol "practice"? It's not hard stuff, if you're at all competent (maybe you're not, I don't know), you can get it done. It's just time consuming. Yes it took me a long time but if I did it for a living I could probably get it done quicker. Sorry that I would rather take my time and get it done right than rush through it in 2 hours and do a shitty job. And again, if you actually read my post you would see that I agree cloth tops look better.
But anyway thanks for reviving an almost 2 month old debate.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 103
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Lots of "take it to a shop" haters in a DIY thread.... What's the point of posting such comments?
Either way I broke down my interior today and will be replacing my top with a cloth Robbins on wednesday or thursday. This guide is great
Either way I broke down my interior today and will be replacing my top with a cloth Robbins on wednesday or thursday. This guide is great
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 103
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I replaced my convertible top this weekend. F this job. Easily the most difficult / time consuming car job I've ever done (and my last car was a 300zx TT) but I saved about a grand on having someone else do it.
The Robbins top is excellent quality. Glass window with defrost (just like OEM), great fit, and superior cloth instead of vinyl. I owe the OP of this thread multiple dinners for his time and labor into this guide. Seriously, I could not have done this without it (or my wife helping the entire time).
Now I just need to put the interior back together, but who cares about that right now. Also, I'm stoked that there are no waves or ripples!!
The Robbins top is excellent quality. Glass window with defrost (just like OEM), great fit, and superior cloth instead of vinyl. I owe the OP of this thread multiple dinners for his time and labor into this guide. Seriously, I could not have done this without it (or my wife helping the entire time).
Now I just need to put the interior back together, but who cares about that right now. Also, I'm stoked that there are no waves or ripples!!
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 103
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It is both do-able and frustrating as hell. The most important tool that you can have is a partner to help you through the whole thing. I'm sure you can do it yourself but if it's your first time I can imagine wanting someone to help you maneuver around some of the tricky parts and help you install trim and stuff like that.