I've just purchased a hardtop (not cheap). I'm being told it's $360 for the installation, which will take all day. Question- is it worth doing this myself? I have a good deal of mechanical experience (though none with bodywork) and feel comfortable with a wrench in my hand. The questions are A) Is it worth my time and aggrivation, and B) Is there any significant danger I'll permanently screw something up? Any insight is appreciated.

 

H and A parts has the install guide on their web site. Check it out. If you have mechanical knowledge its not hard to do.

 

a guy i met had his done himself and he told me that he had gaps where on the rear. i had mine done at the dealer. he even said that while he was driving the whole hardtop floped up on the freeway. its up to you tho. if your really experienced then i wouldnt be worried.

 

i would let the dealership do it or somebody that has installed one before

 

I did mine myself using the install download from HandA. It took me about 3 hours. I'm somewhat mechanical, so if you are like me, go ahead and do it. Take a look at the install instructions and then decide.

 

Three hours sounds pretty good, and if you're right, I'd feel ridiculous spending $360 (that's $120/hour!) for the Honda dealer.

Rusler seems to have noted what sounds like serious sealing problems though- any ideas why?

Anyway, sounds like it's time to look up the HandA website.

 

I seriously doubt it would take three hours unless you were overly careful (which is not a bad thing) or have a model where you need to replace the strikers (I have a 2003).

I was in on the west coast group buy last August, and it took me about three hours to do it:

2 hours to put on the hardware, 40 minutes to drive to Torrance/Gardena, 20 minutes to fiddle and attach the top.

There's no difficulty at all installing one, just make sure you have an extra person around to help get the top on the car.

The scariest part was hammering a metal part for the rear latches. There was no danger of damaging the car, but the thought of smacking the car with a hammer just made me cringe.

 

Go for it ...

I used the H and A instructions and the Helms manual.

The biggest help from the above info is where the clips for the interior pieces are so you dont dammage them when removing. The installation of the parts is quite simple ... couple of screws and bolts.

I bought mine used and had to piece the needed install parts together by posting on this board.

After installing the top I had little or no fit problems ... only one minor adjustment.

I have a MY01 so I had to upgrade the front strikers which required removal of the trim around the inside of the windshield. You shouldn't have to do this as they have been upgraded on all models since MY02. I also had to wire in a complete harness and switch for the defroster since the MY01 has a plastic rear window in the soft top and did not have defroster wiring. This has become almost plug and play on the most recent models and I believe it uses the same switch you have for the glass window in the soft top ...

Good Luck

 

That's right, you DON'T have to replace the windshield strikers. It should only take just over 2 hours.

 

It is my opinion, when owning a car of the S2000 arena, that the owner should do as much of the mechanical work as they are physically able. I believe install the hardtop (though I've never done anything on the car) would be one of the more simple installs. Engine tuning and shock adjustment being the more difficult.

Do it yourself! You'll feel better for it! (: