My 16-year-old son and I just replaced the top on my 2000 Miata. I was concerned it would be very difficult given all the trouble folks in UA-cam videos were having. It was challenging, but we got it finished in about 5 hours and ran into no major problems. My son actually did most of the work. The hardest part was getting the roof closed again as it was very tight. It took four of us and I had to rehab the squishy latches first. All in all a doable project if you are a fairly competent amateur. We did not remove the seats, although that may have made it easier.
The reason is because they know eventually the top will be replaced and most people can't drill so it usually ends up being too big of a hole so you end up using a standard size rivet. Just saying that was my thought as you were explaining that so thanks you just helped me figure out why before we replace a top! Kudos! Not sure about how the rest will go.
Great video. I’ve watched probably 8 or 9 UA-cam videos on installing a new soft top onto a Miata and this was definitely the best one. I’ve no doubt that it is a difficult job for a home mechanic/DIYer, but understanding each of the steps before I start, (which this video does better than others) goes a long way to giving me confidence that I could do this job when the time comes. Manny thanks.
Thank you for the video! I am halfway through and I’ve watch a lot of na videos but I’m glad I found yours because mine is an nb! I took the top all the way out though just for ease. I’m nervous about lining it back up but after watching your video I’ll just remove the current top and put the rails back on!
Yes I would do it myself and did, as I don't make $250.00 a day and that's what the top shop wanted for labor $500.00 labor $600.00 for the top plus tax that's $1171.00! just finished my wife 2003 miata today big savings for 12 hours of work, Thanks for your video it really helped a lot I watched it a least 6 times Thanks again.
I did it myself over a weekend with bad instructions like maybe 8 years or so ago. There was no UA-cam videos to help but I managed. A shop wanted $2000 from me when I search people to do it, that really persuaded me to diy.
Very helpful, but I'm still looking for an explanation on exactly where and how the straps connect. Some videos make reference to them, but haven't seen one yet that provides detail. Also, after I put my seals on, I'm left with flat seals that seem to be designed lengthwise to fit, but again, no reference to position. Maybe between metal and top fabric?
Remove the back and side bolts. Remove the B pillar trim to expose the Top frame bolts. Remove the complete top with the frame from the car. Stripping and installing new top back on the frame is a piece of cake then. Repeat to re-install.
'Ive just gone through the same process with an EZon top. Used the old cables with no problems. However for the sake of a couple more bolts I took the whole top out of the car. Much easier to get at the horrid bottom rivets and brackets without it being in the car. Good for dirtyshirtinfo for taking the trouble to film it though.
Do you have any tips for putting the weatherstripping on when the top is installed. I'm struggling on pushing those pushpins in and what brand weatherstripping did you use?
I believe we reused the old weatherstripping - since it was already form-fitted I don't remember that being a problem. It's been awhile but it seems like it went on fairly easily. Sorry to not be more help.
So, if the old top was dry rotted enough that it came off without removing the cables, would it be feasible to just pop out the rivets up front and run them through the new top?
Erick Fuentes Good luck with your project! We would have preferred doing the job in warmer temperatures since vinyl is so hard to stretch when it’s cold.
Thanks for the great video. I appreciate your explanations and how you shot the video. I watched another video by a guy that does this for a living, ua-cam.com/video/Gp7PZnR34OY/v-deo.html , it was helpful but the video was not as well done as yours. The thing I gained from his video was the cable doesn't need to be replaced or un-riveted unless it is broken.
My 16-year-old son and I just replaced the top on my 2000 Miata. I was concerned it would be very difficult given all the trouble folks in UA-cam videos were having. It was challenging, but we got it finished in about 5 hours and ran into no major problems. My son actually did most of the work. The hardest part was getting the roof closed again as it was very tight. It took four of us and I had to rehab the squishy latches first. All in all a doable project if you are a fairly competent amateur. We did not remove the seats, although that may have made it easier.
Took my son and I 6.5 hrs. Plus a friend who works as the boat canvas installer.
The reason is because they know eventually the top will be replaced and most people can't drill so it usually ends up being too big of a hole so you end up using a standard size rivet. Just saying that was my thought as you were explaining that so thanks you just helped me figure out why before we replace a top! Kudos! Not sure about how the rest will go.
Man by far the best explanation and obstacles that were shared!!!
Great video. I’ve watched probably 8 or 9 UA-cam videos on installing a new soft top onto a Miata and this was definitely the best one.
I’ve no doubt that it is a difficult job for a home mechanic/DIYer, but understanding each of the steps before I start, (which this video does better than others) goes a long way to giving me confidence that I could do this job when the time comes. Manny thanks.
anyfeckinusername Thanks for the kind words and good luck with your project. It will feel great to have that new top on your car! 👍👌
Great guide but one thing. Have you ever tried using an actual drill bit and drilling out the rivets? Makes life so much easier
Yes.
Thank you for the video! I am halfway through and I’ve watch a lot of na videos but I’m glad I found yours because mine is an nb! I took the top all the way out though just for ease. I’m nervous about lining it back up but after watching your video I’ll just remove the current top and put the rails back on!
Yes I would do it myself and did, as I don't make $250.00 a day and that's what the top shop wanted for labor $500.00 labor $600.00 for the top plus tax that's $1171.00! just finished my wife 2003 miata today big savings for 12 hours of work, Thanks for your video it really helped a lot I watched it a least 6 times Thanks again.
richard clayton Boom! Way to go buddy, great job. Thanks for watching.
I did it myself over a weekend with bad instructions like maybe 8 years or so ago. There was no UA-cam videos to help but I managed. A shop wanted $2000 from me when I search people to do it, that really persuaded me to diy.
In 2024 that's $1,000 for installation.
Very helpful, but I'm still looking for an explanation on exactly where and how the straps connect. Some videos make reference to them, but haven't seen one yet that provides detail.
Also, after I put my seals on, I'm left with flat seals that seem to be designed lengthwise to fit, but again, no reference to position. Maybe between metal and top fabric?
Remove the back and side bolts. Remove the B pillar trim to expose the Top frame bolts. Remove the complete top with the frame from the car. Stripping and installing new top back on the frame is a piece of cake then. Repeat to re-install.
'Ive just gone through the same process with an EZon top. Used the old cables with no problems. However for the sake of a couple more bolts I took the whole top out of the car. Much easier to get at the horrid bottom rivets and brackets without it being in the car. Good for dirtyshirtinfo for taking the trouble to film it though.
Thanks for watching Nick and thanks for the tip.
Very well put together! Thanks for the advise. Think I will opt to have someone else do it.
+James Vac Thank you for the kind words James and good luck with your project.
Why remove the tension cable rivet? Why not just remove the screw holding the spring at the other end and pull the cable out of the old top?
Cables were replaced.
Theses rivets are 5/32 because that's roughly 4mm
Do you have any tips for putting the weatherstripping on when the top is installed. I'm struggling on pushing those pushpins in and what brand weatherstripping did you use?
I believe we reused the old weatherstripping - since it was already form-fitted I don't remember that being a problem. It's been awhile but it seems like it went on fairly easily. Sorry to not be more help.
So, if the old top was dry rotted enough that it came off without removing the cables, would it be feasible to just pop out the rivets up front and run them through the new top?
grifballa yes, you can reuse the existing cables, no problem...
dirtyshirtinfo Awesome. Thanks
Do u think a roll bar would fit in a 2002 Miata
That's beyond my knowledge base Shawn. But I have seen Miata's with roll bars.
Great detailed video! Thank you!
Bob Mac 👍
is it possible to use the old cables on a new soft top?
Yes, you can use the old cables with a new top.
dirtyshirtinfo i just remove the rivets and the bolts near the frame to remove the top?
Lol i have to do it in like 4 hours at work on Monday!!
Erick Fuentes Good luck with your project! We would have preferred doing the job in warmer temperatures since vinyl is so hard to stretch when it’s cold.
Thanks for the great video. I appreciate your explanations and how you shot the video. I watched another video by a guy that does this for a living, ua-cam.com/video/Gp7PZnR34OY/v-deo.html , it was helpful but the video was not as well done as yours. The thing I gained from his video was the cable doesn't need to be replaced or un-riveted unless it is broken.