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Old Jan 4, 2011 | 11:57 PM
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Default replace convertible top

Hello forum members
I'm getting price's on convertible tops. I seen one member stated that robbins tops is the best, I have a 93 conv, Confusing process ,I want a really good top and good weatherstripping american made any imput
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Old Jan 5, 2011 | 06:46 AM
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Originally Posted by mike the marine
Hello forum members
I'm getting price's on convertible tops. I seen one member stated that robbins tops is the best, I have a 93 conv, Confusing process ,I want a really good top and good weatherstripping american made any imput
Haartz OE is best. Use a experience CORVETTE top installer or you get leaks and wind noise. expect to pay $500 labor for install for REAL installer
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Old Jan 5, 2011 | 06:58 AM
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Originally Posted by corvette95
Haartz OE is best. Use a experience CORVETTE top installer or you get leaks and wind noise. expect to pay $500 labor for install for REAL installer
I agree on the haartz stayfast tops. The tops and weatherstrip are not that difficult to install. Patience is the key. It takes me most part of the day to put one on. Clenleness is the key. If you are interested in doing it yourself I will write up the procedure.

Mike





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Old Jan 5, 2011 | 07:16 AM
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Default Glass

Now would be a good time to get rid of that plastic. Back in '99 I replaced my '86 with a '94 Glass window top. Got it from Eckler's along with the "kit" for doing the job. What a difference!
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Old Jan 5, 2011 | 07:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Pres712
Now would be a good time to get rid of that plastic. Back in '99 I replaced my '86 with a '94 Glass window top. Got it from Eckler's along with the "kit" for doing the job. What a difference!
So how much space did you lose with the glass window?
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Old Jan 5, 2011 | 07:58 AM
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Originally Posted by CorvetteMike2004
So how much space did you lose with the glass window?

None. It folds up in total instead of "creasing" in the middle.
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Old Jan 5, 2011 | 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Pres712
Now would be a good time to get rid of that plastic. Back in '99 I replaced my '86 with a '94 Glass window top. Got it from Eckler's along with the "kit" for doing the job. What a difference!
I would love to replace my top with a new one this winter... wish the 91/92 blue tops had a glass replacement rear window
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Old Jan 5, 2011 | 03:54 PM
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I have a replacement Robbins glass window top - hated that vinyl crapulance. Has held up pretty well. Now the new GM factory weatherstripping I put on is starting to disintegrate. Truely pure crapulance!
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Old Jan 5, 2011 | 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Flame Red
I have a replacement Robbins glass window top - hated that vinyl crapulance. Has held up pretty well. Now the new GM factory weatherstripping I put on is starting to disintegrate. Truely pure crapulance!
hi you are kidding me right,I'm getting ready to invest in factory weatherstripping cost more than the generic stuff,maybe I should get the less expensive weatherstripping,I got a quote for stayfast top with glass and complete weatherstipping and windshield weatherstripping from jd corvette here in socal for $800.00,The manager said that his stuff is the best? installed not robbins brand or gm brand,I really want this parts to last a while. thanks guys
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Old Jan 5, 2011 | 10:05 PM
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Originally Posted by mike the marine
hi you are kidding me right,I'm getting ready to invest in factory weatherstripping cost more than the generic stuff,maybe I should get the less expensive weatherstripping,I got a quote for stayfast top with glass and complete weatherstipping and windshield weatherstripping from jd corvette here in socal for $800.00,The manager said that his stuff is the best? installed not robbins brand or gm brand,I really want this parts to last a while. thanks guys
J and D corvette is the place to go, thats for sure.
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Old Jan 5, 2011 | 10:18 PM
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Originally Posted by CorvetteMike2004
J and D corvette is the place to go, thats for sure.
Hi Corvette Mike
He said he is really giving me a package deal,I want to make sure that their top is made out of Harrtz material,Have you had work done there before may I ask.
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Old Jan 5, 2011 | 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by mike the marine
Hi Corvette Mike
He said he is really giving me a package deal,I want to make sure that their top is made out of Harrtz material,Have you had work done there before may I ask.
I buy parts from them. I do my own work. They have been in business since 1958. Best place to go. Post up some before and after pics.

Mike
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Old Jan 5, 2011 | 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by CorvetteMike2004
I buy parts from them. I do my own work. They have been in business since 1958. Best place to go. Post up some before and after pics.

Mike
by the way I'm harley junkie too<2004 fatboy thanks mike
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 07:58 AM
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Originally Posted by CorvetteMike2004
I agree on the haartz stayfast tops. The tops and weatherstrip are not that difficult to install. Patience is the key. It takes me most part of the day to put one on. Clenleness is the key. If you are interested in doing it yourself I will write up the procedure.

Mike
When my installer done mine, there is material in the headliner that looks like it should wrap around the frame or something over the edge of both passenger and drivers area right above the edge of the headliner, it just hangs down. Do you know where that installs? I will take and post a picture tonight
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by CorvetteMike2004
I agree on the haartz stayfast tops. The tops and weatherstrip are not that difficult to install. Patience is the key. It takes me most part of the day to put one on. Clenleness is the key. If you are interested in doing it yourself I will write up the procedure.

Mike
I will need to replace the top on my '90 one day. I would be interested in reading your procedure. Of course, pictures are needed. And, a list of tools and materials.

Mike
'90 'vert
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 08:45 PM
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Im not going to take this thread off topic. This is not my thread. If you want to post up some questions or interest in a thread of your own, I will post up with pics.

Mike
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Old Jan 9, 2011 | 10:06 PM
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Default Best tops to buy

I got a cloth Haartz Stayfast top to replace a very old vinyl top. Weatherstripping from Willcox. It's less than a year old, but it looks really good. (I think both items were made in America.)
As Corvette Mike said, if you do it yourself, Cleanliness is really important. Take your time.
Corvette Fever has a great how-to article on the install.
Good luck!
Paul
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To replace convertible top

Old Jan 10, 2011 | 06:24 AM
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For those of you that installed you own top. I had my Haartz top professionaly installed with a new headliner and bow retainers and stay pads. Above the passenger and drivers inside headliner area, there are flaps that hang down under the headliner, cant really see them unless you pell the loose headliner to the side, it almost seems as the cloth should be wrapped around the frame top mechanism, will try to get a picture posted but I think my installer didnt do this area right. I get a little windnoise from here and the window corner and I have adjusted the window and weatherstrip to where the seal is perfect so the noise is from where the convertible tops is installed....its is minor and acceptable but if someone can help i would try to correct it.
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Old Jan 11, 2011 | 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by CorvetteMike2004
Im not going to take this thread off topic. This is not my thread. If you want to post up some questions or interest in a thread of your own, I will post up with pics.

Mike

Fair enough. How about contacting the administrators and making a "How-to" sticky? It would then be on here permanently and accessible to everyone whenever they need it. Just a thought.
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Old Jan 11, 2011 | 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by corvette95
For those of you that installed you own top. I had my Haartz top professionaly installed with a new headliner and bow retainers and stay pads. Above the passenger and drivers inside headliner area, there are flaps that hang down under the headliner, cant really see them unless you pell the loose headliner to the side, it almost seems as the cloth should be wrapped around the frame top mechanism, will try to get a picture posted but I think my installer didnt do this area right. I get a little windnoise from here and the window corner and I have adjusted the window and weatherstrip to where the seal is perfect so the noise is from where the convertible tops is installed....its is minor and acceptable but if someone can help i would try to correct it.
If you are talking about the flaps that are attached to the top (not headliner), these are the anti blowup flaps. There are 2 metal strips that fit into these flaps and then screws that go through bows 2 and 3, poke through the material of the flap and screw into the metal strip. This keeps the top from ballooning at high speed.
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