I have a 63 Falcon Futura that needs a new top. I can get a top for around $250. but the local place wants $1,000 to install it. That seems a bit pricey to me. How hard is it to do? Is it something I could tackle myself? I do have mechainical skills, not so much with fabric however.
and that is a good point....just because the basic top is $250 doesn't mean you won't have to buy all the little things that go along with installing a top.
I did my 65 mustang. It looked ok. There are videos out there to help. The biggest issues were 1) make sure the material is warm (stretchable) when installing it, 2) very tight, don't close the top completely while installing, leave a 1" gap. This will pull the top tighter later. 3) use stainless staples that don't rust. The top is under a lot of air pressure during freeway driving. So make sure it is firmly attached to the frame. Some stress folds will soften over time, others will not. There is a reason those guys get $1000 for the install. This is not a 4 hr job. You may have to reposition it multiple times, and you may need 4 of your friends to pull in differing directions
Well is $1,000 dollars for install reasonable. I seem to remember my buddy getting a top replaced on hit OT************** capri for $600. That was the top and the installation.
Like Top pads,cables,straightening the bows and adjusting it so it operates smoothly. Bottom line...pay to have it done right the first time. I recently sold a car that the P/O had a "friend" install the top. It looks like they used a Swingline stapler to attach the header and it had more wrinkles than a box of raisins.
VERY reasonable. I paid $1200. included the actual top itself, for Big Olds. The other places I got quotes from were in the $2,100 range. This guy did it inexpensively for me cuz he wanted my interior job too. I got a $1200 top and installation job. No where near perfect, I got what I paid for.
there is alot of things that he would be doing that you dont see for $1000.00 and if he dosnt do them you will see it. typicaly the do-it youself top looks like you did it yourself.
I've done several and don't consider a big job if you take your time and don't try to rush things. I did my first one as a teen on a 56 buick super and it turned out great. I have seen pro installations that looked like***** so paying someone to do it dosn't mean it will be a good job.
dannyego, I don't know much, but I know some of my limits. I spent $ 2,300.00 on a convertible top on a small o/t car 10 years ago. It had a sewn in glass window. I searched for the best shop in the twin towns and again I got what I paid for- a really nice tight job that didn't leak and was as quiet as possible. Good Luck P.S. FiddyFour-thats funny right there
That's what I've paid on a few occasions. I tried to put a top on my GTO by myself and it was a nightmare. After 2 weeks I gave up and had someone else install it. Luckily they were happy with my tach strip replacement job and were OK working with my top which already had some tack holes in it (no where visible). If I had to do it again, I would strip my old top off, paint the frame, replace the tack strips on it (I use a rubber moulding in place of the old paper tack strips, the upholstery guys seem to like that) and replace any bad bushings or pins, but I would leave the pads in place, even if they're bad, since the upholstery guys like to have the old ones on the car as a reference. I would also take the time to replace the top pump hoses and do any maintenance on the motor (if the car has one) while the top is out. A lot of times once you have the old top off, the header bow is rusty and needs to be sandblasted and maybe welded, so I like to have that done ahead of time as well. The actual installation though? No thanks, I leave that to the pros.
called another place today that shot me $900 for the top and install as long as it doesnt need new pads. I told him he was cheaper than the last guy and he said he was surprised because he is usually more than everyone else because he only uses the best tops. I guess I have to find out who everyone else is. Its no show car so dont bust my balls about being cheap I just need to keep the rain out and I dont have that much duct tape
There is guy here in Indianapolis that does a great job with drop tops and I'm sure he is very cost competive. Not too bad a drive for you. pm me for a number. If you've never done one why????
Shop around If that guy is 900.00 for the top and installation .That's a descent price.Years ago I worked for an auto upholsterer and he use to get 800.00 that was 10 years ago. A carson top made out of duct tape sounds like a bad idea.Pay the money and go with the best quality .Youll get it back later.
I'm far from the best at fixing things. I won't be posting many "how to" posts. 30 years ago I gave it a go because all I could afford was the J.C. Whitney top. I had a bud help me that had done (1) one in the past. It turned out O.K. I had a wee bit too much fold around the front but it wasn't all that noticable. I'm betting with an helper or two that you can do it. I'm thinking back then the top was $100-$125. Plastic rear window.
well the critical measurement is from the the top well to the first bow (above the rear window) and making sure it's centered. before you remove the current top take that measurement. i have seen upholstry forums that may help or one of the falcon sites. i learned the hard way by watching someone***** up the top on my 63' ss nova convertable. guy had graduated from local tech college and after he*****ed up 2 rear windows i decided to call his old instructor and was informed "we don't teach convertable top installation!" needless to say i found somebody else and when the guy wanted to get paid i said "for what*****ing up my top twice!" then i proceeded to tell him i had called his former instructor and he imformed me they didn't teach convertable top installation plus where did he live because he owes me $600 and i told him! the guy could stitch up seats but nothing else the*****head!
My old man has done upholstery for 30+ years so ive seen em put on and just pay the price because there are a ton of little tricks and procedures that make em turn out. I couldnt do one and ive watched them be put on many times so if you want it nice just pay.
The labor out of the book is 8.8 hours. Multiply that by the shops labor rate. I'd just round up and make it 9. Add the cost of the top and pads. Add in your tax. Don't be afraid to negotiate.
It's a lot of work. Little hardware and software items. Labor is the majority of the cost. Besides, after it's done and paid for, any problems you can go back to the professional that did the job.
I just have to find some more shops around Cleveland. I would like to pay between $600 and $700. That seems to be going rate for new convertible tops. I cant imagine a falcon top being any harder to install than a new mustang top.
check out jeff lilly restorations on the web. he shows over 80 step by step picts of someone in his shop doing one built tips, convertible top.
The Jalopy Journal
