Soft top installers-what would it cost?(worth doing myself?)

FoxForceFive · Postby **FoxForceFive** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 2:20 pm

Im at a point there the roof on my NA is causing more grief and dampness than i can tolerate.
Looking at the top options- thinking of getting a plastic window top and rain rail off ebay from the US.

Ive heard so many horror stories- is it worth paying to do, or is it do-able for a first timer?

If i go down the pay to install road- anyone got any recommendations/ good prices?

Thanks heaps guys.

PS if anyone is kind enough to help me, i can assure them they will do home with a boot load of beer and a good feed in their belly!

MX5CHIC · Postby **MX5CHIC** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 2:43 pm

I decided to change my own top after getting a quote that was more than the new canvas top cost, did some research on the web and found a lot of good advice from those who have done it before.
Turned out it was really not that difficult and I managed to get it done in 8 hours by myself, few broken fingernails, but you guys should not be too concerned about that problem.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 6:11 pm

The key, as MX5CHIC points out, is to give yourself plenty of time - when I enquired about it 6 six years ago I was quoted about 6 or so hours labour.

de Bounce · Postby **de Bounce** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 7:17 pm

There are a number of good guides describing the process on the various forums and even from the manufacturers of the tops.

Read them and prepare everything you need.
Set aside more time than recommended (jobs tend to go smoother when time deadlines are removed)
Having extra time allows you to walk away when things don't go right.
Also having the space and correct tools on hand will help.
The guides should also recommend ways to avoid issues like marking the parts as you pull them off to ensure they go back in the right place.

Kain · Postby **Kain** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:59 pm

I just did this myself a couple of months ago. I found this guide from the big forum to be the most helpful:
http://www.miata.net/garage/MiataTop2/index.html

I didn't really figure out any additional tips or tricks, as I spaced my install out over a fortnight (due to the luxury of having a hardtop on hand) It did take longer than I expected to fit the top to the frame, I recommend leaving it in the sun to stretch a bit if you can. It's not a hard job, but it can be frustrating one.

Best of luck if you end up doing it yourself!
(I'd come help, but the Brisbane-Sydney commute is a bit much for me :wink:

)

1blue5 · Postby **1blue5** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 6:44 pm

fox force let me know if you attempt it yourself, Im considering installing a new top on my frame also, thankfully I also have the added lux of a hard top, however after reading some of the links-it doesnt seem that daunting. Kain any pics?, cheers

FoxForceFive · Postby **FoxForceFive** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 6:48 pm

thanks guys. i think i might give it a go...sounds kind of doable....i'll let you know how it goes.

Kain · Postby **Kain** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 1:42 pm

I didn't take any photos as I was going, I found that guide to be pretty much complete. I can take a few of the finished product if you're keen though?

FoxForceFive · Postby **FoxForceFive** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 1:44 pm

That would be cool, thank mate. Did you put new cables and rain rail in too?

Kain · Postby **Kain** » Sat Jun 26, 2010 11:40 am

Ok, here's my new roof. I bought a Robbins fabric roof with a glass window from Gomiata. It came with a new rain rail attached (a flexible ABS plastic one, not the brittle crap the stock one is), and I got new tension cables for it too.
http://www.gomiata.com/romicotopsuc2.html

I bought mine in January, on sale with a rather significant discount. Apparently that sale seems to be still going? If you can justify spending the extra dollars, I really recommend getting a Robbins top. I've heard a couple of horror stories about fitment on ebay tops, enough to make me wary. As you can see, the Robbins top fits well and looks great, and comes with the rain rail. My only issue is that it doesn't sit flat near the windows, but I've read on the big forum that I can fix that by pulling the window rubbers off again and pulling it tight while putting them back on. I just don't care enough to do that :mrgreen:

FoxForceFive · Postby **FoxForceFive** » Sat Jun 26, 2010 12:56 pm

Kain wrote:Ok, here's my new roof. I bought a Robbins fabric roof with a glass window from Gomiata. It came with a new rain rail attached (a flexible ABS plastic one, not the brittle crap the stock one is), and I got new tension cables for it too.
http://www.gomiata.com/romicotopsuc2.html

I bought mine in January, on sale with a rather significant discount. Apparently that sale seems to be still going? If you can justify spending the extra dollars, I really recommend getting a Robbins top. I've heard a couple of horror stories about fitment on ebay tops, enough to make me wary. As you can see, the Robbins top fits well and looks great, and comes with the rain rail. My only issue is that it doesn't sit flat near the windows, but I've read on the big forum that I can fix that by pulling the window rubbers off again and pulling it tight while putting them back on. I just don't care enough to do that

Thanks for those pics- that looks absolutely superb......i'm extremely tempted to get a fabric Robbins one now! Was postage expensive?

ampz · Postby **ampz** » Thu Jul 01, 2010 9:58 pm

yell out when you have one.
takes about 2.5 hours if it doesn't rain.
I'll give ya a hand. :mrgreen:

Kain · Postby **Kain** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 7:16 pm

Yeah postage was fairly expensive, from memory it was in the vicinity of AU$200. Given that I didn't know of any reputable producer of MX5 soft-tops in Australia, I figured that it was a necessary evil.

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Sat Jul 03, 2010 6:20 pm

Heya, I can safely agree with the above when it comes to the Robbins tops. I have one sitting in my garage, waiting to go on my mx complete with rainrail etc. They are good quality tops and you won't regret buying one if you can get a decent price. I've heard there are a lot of crap used tops on ebay and from my many impulse online buys, I'd be very weary of what you buy.
You don't know if the vinyl has shrunk or warped from the photos so when it's on the car it could be an absolute bastard to fit. Same with the integrity of the roof. however, I'm getting rid of my old roof soon. It doesn't leak at all, if you interested, pm me an offer. Either way, I'd probably check the forum first before going to ebay, someone might have something on here cheaper or downright better.

I'm contemplating the self install route myself, so when I get the oportunity, I'm going to ATTEMPT to put mine in myself. I've had quotes and I don't see the sense in paying up to $300 or even more for something you could probably do yourself. And to be perfectly honest, I've seen tutorials and it can't possibly be worth the $300 from what i've seen. The work isn't so bad.
That said, I'm just giving my opinion, I have no experience putting these on so what do I know!

Good luck with this and tell us how you go!!!

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Jul 03, 2010 6:40 pm

I have never bought one but it seems you will not get any change out of $1000 for the US supplied item and warranties are pretty much useless. Not sure what an OE one costs but it would fit. You can also buy tops locally and they would have to be warranted. Fitting costs are like anything - merely a reflection of labour costs and many folks understandably may not have the inclination or time to diy.