I am about to tackle the installation of a new IAP Vinyl top. Does anyone have an tips/trick that you might know of. I will be using the shop manual and the brief instruction sheet that IAP included with hthe top.
Thanks,
Jeff
1981 Fiat Spider
Top Installation Question
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spider2081
- Patron 2024
- Posts: 3015
- Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:45 pm
- Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
- Location: Wallingford,CT
Hi Jeff,
I have some photos of the cable routing by rear window that may be some help. Email me Flyme194@optonline.net if you are interested. I changed the top on my 81 last year. First attempt and am satisfied with the results.
I have some photos of the cable routing by rear window that may be some help. Email me Flyme194@optonline.net if you are interested. I changed the top on my 81 last year. First attempt and am satisfied with the results.
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ICF
Take your time. Have blue tape, newspaper, etc. ready
Here is a suggestion: Do this work in 2 or 3 spells.
Place a couple of large old soft towels on the trunk sp when you lay the top over it you won't scratch the soft window.
Remove the old top and clean & repaint as necessary the old frame. With the old top out of the way you can mask off this & that to really make the old frame look nice.
Once you start putting the new top in place, I normally stop somewhere along the way to let the new top stretch out a little before I set the latches in the final step.
IMPORTANT TIP: Do not assume that the top already in place was correctly installed. (In other words, don't not necessarily replicate their work.
-Jerry Lee Phillips
'81 Spider 2000
'76 124 Spider w/ FI
Place a couple of large old soft towels on the trunk sp when you lay the top over it you won't scratch the soft window.
Remove the old top and clean & repaint as necessary the old frame. With the old top out of the way you can mask off this & that to really make the old frame look nice.
Once you start putting the new top in place, I normally stop somewhere along the way to let the new top stretch out a little before I set the latches in the final step.
IMPORTANT TIP: Do not assume that the top already in place was correctly installed. (In other words, don't not necessarily replicate their work.
-Jerry Lee Phillips
'81 Spider 2000
'76 124 Spider w/ FI
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Jon
I installed a top for the first time about two years ago. The one mistake I made was scratching the plastic window. It wasn't severe, but it's easy to do (at least that's what I tell myself!), and ICF makes a good suggestion.
It's a fairly easy process like Mad Machine said, but don't kid yourself - it's a long process! Expect it to take a while and stick with it. Diligence in the small things is what makes perfect.
And last, have fun with it!
It's a fairly easy process like Mad Machine said, but don't kid yourself - it's a long process! Expect it to take a while and stick with it. Diligence in the small things is what makes perfect.
And last, have fun with it!
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jjricco88
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Jon
ugh. that's too bad
That's a shame, but I think few of us are surprised. Good move on ordering the new parts!
Be sure to keep us updated and finish this post off with some pictures!
Duct tape... makes me wonder when we'll see a Fiat with a duct tape top, it does fix everything right? It's only a matter of time people, only a matter of time
Be sure to keep us updated and finish this post off with some pictures!
Duct tape... makes me wonder when we'll see a Fiat with a duct tape top, it does fix everything right? It's only a matter of time people, only a matter of time
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Spyderbuddy
i've had one it came with the car when i got it. it was plastic with black duct tape from a distance it locked like a black cloth top. but the closer you got the more you cuold tell it was tape. i got a used top for next to nothing believe me the duct tape top did not leak as bad as the used top, but at least it had a top