Has anyone changed the top on a 1997? I just bought a complete assembly from a wrecked 1999 to replace my worn top. It is complete with frame, rams, motor and such.

Any idea on which pieces to reuse and which to change? My top works fine as the motor was repalced last year.

I assume that the top repair instructions are in the regular service manual ( have a copy).

Kelly.

I would use the the "new" frame with new top mounted and use your old rams.

If you use your old hydraulics, the less you have to deal with. I did this trick to an earlier different brand of convertible I had. I unlatched the front, removed the three bolts per side, and 1,000 staples (HA!), and the change was made -- Lift up, set down, and staple. Worked great.

See if the cylinders can stay in the car, this way you won't have an oily mess and won't have to deal with bleeding the system. It stays closed.

If the rear is stapled, use stainless staples in the re-attachment. Upholstory shops will sell a couple rows. I haven't seen any at Lowes or Home Depot.

I started in the middle of the rear window stapling, and worked out to the sides. Pull snug and staple. Let the new top set in the sun to aid the install and make it pliable. I placed a 2X4 on its 2 side at the windshield and stapled the rear. When done, latched the top, it was taut.

Good luck, read your book over and over.

Evertte,

Thanks. I do not think the Camaro top is stapled. I think the bottom of the top is attached to mounting strips.

Leaving the motor and rams in place sounds like a great idea.

New top should arrive this week. It will be a project for next week.

Look and review the project, making it simple is the name of the game -- KISS!

Top arrived this morning. Looks good, though I have not completly unwrapped it.

I guess you can still get a few good deals on Ebay. $200 plus $115 shipping for complete top.

I will post results of change.

Kelly, what's wrong with your existing top? Is the frame damaged or just the cloth?

Just the cloth is worn and torn (white top). Car was always in Texas and Florida and it has simply dried out.

The back window is also seperating from the vinyl. This is common I guess in these tops.

For the price I could not go wrong. Plus it is still going to be a GM top.

I've never done a top or a frame but was wondering if a top can come off a frame and go back on? Seems like trying to install a new frame might be problematic with the top attached already. I guess my posting is courousity and caution both. Good luck with it and keep us posted on how it goes, I'm interested for future reference...

In my experience of changing the top, I had thought about removing the cloth from the frame also.

But then I looked and there were two tension(?) wires to pull and replace from ther old top to the new top. Plus the removal of the cloth from the crossbars and reattaching the new cloth.

The offer was made to me, frame, cloth, cylinders, lines and pump for $200 in 1994. I couldn't pass it up. The top was 1 year old at the time. Like I described, unlatch, remove 3 bolts per side which were very easy to get to, remove the staples, and by design, unbolt the pump and disconnect the plug and lift.

When I went to replace the old top, I unhooked the cylinders and replaced in reverse. As kjg stated, the tail of the top is mounted by strips, technology has improved fastening and quicker assembly on the production line.

I guess alot of the method of replacement would depend upon the frame attachment bolts to the body and how much kjg wants to get involved.

I'm like you Dennis, curious, but cautious. kjg should look at the job intensely, take plenty of pictures, and ask his friends and/or businesses for a quick & dirty instruction on how-to. I haven't seen too many books on convertible top replacement, its like some top secret art, nobody wants to expunge their knowledge, but, its done everyday, so it can't be but so hard........

Just my thoughts. I do respect kjg in wanting to do the job himself, I hope he informs us how it goes. Maybe he'll write a book/white paperand make oodles of money..........

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

I think with some help I can handle this. I do happen to be a Field Service Engineer for a Japanese car manufacturer.

I do not want to do too much to disturb the top vinyl. I hope this works. Interior and trim are just not my thing usually.

I will make sure I let everyone know how it works out. If nothing else I will learn something new.

I'll pull up my lawn chair and offer cold beverages and watch the smile on your face after its done.

I wanted to update everyone on my top change.

It worked great. I followed the instructions from the GM repair manual. The instructions stated to disconnected the cylinders from the frame and leave them in the car. Worked without a hitch. Took about 2 hours total.

The new top looks great compared to the old one. I still need to give it a more thorough cleaning. I do need to adjust the drivers window to fit the top better, but the old top had the same issue. As you can see from the picture the old top was dry rotted and had several holes in it.

http://home.netcom.com/~kjgeist/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/100_8452.jpg.w300h225.jpghttp://home.netcom.com/~kjgeist/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/100_8454.jpg.w300h225.jpg

Old top:
http://home.netcom.com/~kjgeist/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/100_8458.jpg.w300h225.jpg

Damn nice looking !! Here's your cold beverage as promised.

Can you bounce a quarter on the top?.......just kidding.