Need LBZ Rear Convertible Top R & R Instructions

[Jim Fierst]

The rear window stiching has come undone and I am in the process of removing the top to have it resticthed. Getting it off is a tough enough job by itself. I really wanted to know if there were any installation instructions other than do it in the reverse order. From what I see so far it appears that the top is attached/ glued to the frame then the frame is reinstalled.
Someone has to have BTDT and knows the techniques.

[DJ]

FWIW, I got that top from Allen L. who had already installed it on the frame. I essentially only had to bolt it on and attach the straps.

He can probably talk you through it.

[davidb]

We all often forget to use the serach function on our Forum.
J. Keller had one of the best posts re: LBZ rear windows. Jim
is out of action oncemore, more spinal issues. Were I you get
a new one from I.A.P.: #2035 for $335. Why hassle w/a re-
stitch?

[Jim Fierst]

I searched the down loads and the archieves befor posting and found nothing..Enlighten me... My top is in very good contition and there is no reason to buy a new one when $50 will repair it.

[Will]

I really wish I could help you, Jim- but I did mine about 10 years ago and I remember some difficulty with a trim strip around the inside of the back edge, but I don't remember having to glue anything- in fact, I'm pretty sure I didn't glue anything.

Hope JK is back under a Beta in no time! :)

[Jim Keller]

I'm still here, just gonna be a bit spurattic for a while, due to me being a smoker I had to be run the cancer tests first, (due to the symptoms I am having that I am sure is another disc blown and the doc is also pretty sure is whats going on), cleared me of that yesterday, now I get to do all the heart tests due to me being 47 and my dad having a 5 way bi-pass at age 50, once those tests are done, then they will stick me in the MRI tube for the spine........doc must have a ballon payment due on his Mercedes! LOL

The top only glues to the front header bar, align it right to left of corse but when you align the leading edge, make sure you have it pointing down some and not aligned with the cars roof because wen you install the rear clamp bar and close it up, it will pull tight and lift the leading edge to be even with the roof. If you align it with the roof when gluing, it will stick up in the air when your done, BTDT

I have done most tops without removing the framing from the car. It takes two people to install the rear clamp bar, one inside doing bolts, the other outside holding down and making sure the tops is aligned and sitting about 1/8 to 1/4 inch off the rear panel to allow for cleaning and drying under the rear edge

Once all that is done and it's closed up, pull the straps snug not tight so it locates the middle bar about 7 inches from the back edge of the front bar

Be sure to evenly distribut the glue so you don't end up with bumps on the front hard edge of the soft top, I seen that before too, sloppy, sloppy, sloppy! tisk, tisk! LOL

[SubGothius]

FYI/FWIW, here's a recent thread with MHO about procedure for (re)installing a top, plenty of other discussion about various top vendors/options, too:

http://lancisti.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2057

[Jim Fierst]

Thanks for the posts and thread reference. I was installing a previously installed top and went about it a little differently. As I was working alone I installed the rear first.
After fighting the bolts for an hour I installed 4 studs in the rear most holes and slightly bent the tabs forward on the reartop mounting rail to clear the studs. I did use a little bit of contact cement to hold the rear vinyl in the rail. That really simplified the process. The tip about the front edge was helpful and I made sure it was held in position by a small amount of glue. It is back on ,fits tight and looks good.

[Jim Keller]

As the old saying goes, there's ALWAYS more than one way to skin a cat! LOL

Glad to hear it's done a looks good!