Well it is time to order a new soft top. I do not really have a lot of money at this time so I have to go budget top. I am not wanting to do a used top because I do not want any holes. I have enough holes in the existing one. I have been looking on E-Rape and have found one for 160.00 with free shipping. Has anyone had any luck with the cheaper tops or have any possible leads on a reparable dealer for a new top? I would like to get this ordered right away, I am getting tired of doing the Red-neck wrap when I park it at work.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

I've done a couple of the cheap tops myself. Fit isn't all that bad, but after a couple seasons I find that the glue adjacent to the seams on both sides has failed. Water gets through the stitching and drips very slowly on my shoulder.

 

I've had a cheap Ebay top on my 95 for 4 or 5 years now. No problems to speak of. The window is kind of folded, but I leave the top down pretty much year round. I havent had any mildew or ripping problems *(yet) and will be getting one to replace the horrible mess of a top that came on my 92.

 

I have used the one piece tops with plastic no zip windows from Convertibletopguys.com ($187 delivered) with great results. The last one I installed was a no zip glass window and other than leaving off the rear straps for easier use it has been great. These are tight tops that have produced leak free results. The first latching of the top takes 2 people but after they stretch in they are fine. Good luck and dont be shy to PM for tips... Chris

 

i got a cloth top from KEE through miatatopsource and the first one had a glue failure at the window. The second one had a club fisted sasquatch assemble the defroster wiring and it hasn't worked. Not sure WTF is up with either of those issues.

 

Get one with the rain rail installed already. This is from a guy who had to buy a rain rail and install it on an existing top after 2 years of constant and unstoppable leakage.

 

Rain Rails get a beating when you take them out. They get brittle and crack from being bent out of their natual position. As long as the bottom rubber channel isnt torn you can fix the plastic with duct tape. You have to be sure the plastic is clean and dry and that the tape lays absolutely flat! No need to rivet it to the new top, that is just to make assembly at the factory easier. I have done 15 tops in the last year and not one has leaked. (tape goes to the outside of the rail)

One more thing... if the cables are good...DO NOT drill out the rivets! Use a coat hanger to pull the other end through the top. If you put the top about 1/2 way down and have a friend hold it there, you can go in through the side to remove the screw at the end of the spring tensioner. Once you have the cable fished through the top reinstall the screw and proceed with install as directed.

 

Finally the new top has arrived. No more redneck top. Now if it would just stop raining here in the great city of Portland Oregon.