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Anyone know how to install a soft top on the Z roadster?

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Old Jul 31, 2008 | 08:23 PM
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Default Anyone know how to install a soft top on the Z roadster?

i just purchased a new soft top for my roadster since mine ripped accidently. Does anyone know if the install is hard? I haven't looked at the top itself yet since it will be here tomorrow but is this something i should bring to the dealer or something that can be done at home?

Thanks.
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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 06:35 AM
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I've never seen a how-to on the site, and most of those that have experience say the job is difficult.....at least 6-8 hours if you haven't done it before.

Depending how mechanically inclined you are, you might want to go to a shop specializing in convertibles (not the dealer).

Mind if I ask how much you paid?
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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by maxpowers
I've never seen a how-to on the site, and most of those that have experience say the job is difficult.....at least 6-8 hours if you haven't done it before.

Depending how mechanically inclined you are, you might want to go to a shop specializing in convertibles (not the dealer).

Mind if I ask how much you paid?
yeah if a convertible specialist takes 6-8 hours, the job must be tedious.
I bought a new top for 950 through Nissan with my dealer discount. Thanks.
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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 09:33 AM
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if you were in socal i would help you do it. ive never done one but i would love to take on the project. ive been doing some searching around and it seems like a very tedious project, not very hard to do just time consuming. i think the best way would be to find a complete used top from a junk yard with the frame and all and just swap it out that way (unless u want a NEW top). the complete top assembly is much easier to swap rather than changing the canvas.
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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 11:49 AM
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I have replaced a top before, but not on a Z. It took forever to get everything lined up right, but I worked alone. I figure if you had help, 6-8 hours is reasonable. One of the big things to remember is to see how your current top folds, then assist the new top in folding exactly along the same lines. Your new top will last longer, and it will not have much difficulty in folding properly in the future.
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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 01:32 PM
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thanks for those tips. I'll see if i should do it myself. 6-8 hours is long but if it's easy and just a long process, i'll go through with it.
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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 04:24 PM
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You can do it yourself, I just suggest having a friend or two help. It is difficult to get the right amount of tension in the fabric and tighten all the bolts necessary. Also, take note of where the top adjustments are when you get the old one off, since you might have to make minor adjustments with the new top.
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Old Aug 27, 2008 | 04:49 PM
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let us know how it goes SuperBlack350z cause I want to do it myself as well ... If you can take the pics along the process that'll be greatly appreciated my friend..
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Old Aug 27, 2008 | 05:57 PM
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really wouldnt recommend doing it if you never did it before, this is something that really calls upon prior experience. I have had my top replaced before and watched how they did part of it. Seeing them line it up and getting the tension right would not be something i'd know how to do the first time around... and i am pretty mechanically inclined.
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Old Aug 27, 2008 | 06:04 PM
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yeah, after looking at it, i'm having a convertible shop do it.
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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 05:29 AM
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Originally Posted by SuperBlack350z
yeah, after looking at it, i'm having a convertible shop do it.

Good.

I did it with another forum member... but we replaced the whole top assembly. It was not that bad... but we looked into just replacing the canvas and it is a royal pain in the a$$.

I have the blue roadster that had the blue top.. but I did not like the blue, so I replaced it with the black...
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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 09:43 AM
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Does anybody know a good site where you can buy a new soft top for the convertible?
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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 12:28 PM
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chicken puto got his from some site.. do a search, he's came out pretty good...
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 06:01 AM
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Originally Posted by rivas83
Does anybody know a good site where you can buy a new soft top for the convertible?
Yes, Look on the Internet I use Robbins,Ezon,and Kee Auto Tops
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 06:56 AM
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Holy back from the dead. Hopefully that guy found his top. This thread is almost 6 years old.
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 07:04 AM
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bla

Last edited by Suffolk350z; Mar 5, 2015 at 07:07 AM.
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Old Mar 12, 2015 | 01:49 PM
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Hope it didn't take him 6 years to get it on, I'm doing mine this weekend.
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Old Apr 6, 2015 | 10:36 AM
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I bought an after market top and had it installed by a ragtop specialist in Orange, CA and the total was $900.00. We also got a custom color that matched the grey leather interior (close anyways) and it's amazing how many people ask how come we got gray and not the normal blue or black.
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Old Apr 6, 2015 | 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by doorpro
I bought an after market top and had it installed by a ragtop specialist in Orange, CA and the total was $900.00. We also got a custom color that matched the grey leather interior (close anyways) and it's amazing how many people ask how come we got gray and not the normal blue or black.
How about a pic?

Ive seen a silver Porsche Boxter with red top...very striking looking.
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