Convertible Top Installation By A Pro - 1971-3 Cougar / Mustang
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- Doing this convertible top installation video made us realize how little we actually knew about the process before. From start to finish, this process took 3 days, because we had to remove the old top, take measurements, replace all the pads, replace sections of tack strips, and finally install the new EZ-On canvas top and glass window. Steve is a methodical and detail-oriented installer, and it shows. This is a long video, but you will learn a lot, and the end result speaks for itself! Even after all the knowledge we gained from watching, we still think we'd just take our cars to Steve and let him do it!
While the procedures shown here apply to 1971-73 Cougars and Mustangs, the same basic principles apply to other years, makes and models of classic American cars. 1969-70 Cougars and Mustangs will be almost exactly the same. Make sure to look up all the specs for your particular car and top manufacturer, especially the rear bow height spec.
We carry all the EZ-On tops for '69-73 Cougars (and Mustangs) in vinyl and canvas, as well as the bow pads, cables, tack strips. and just about any other convertible parts you may need to tackle this job. Check out the convertible parts section on our website here: secure.cougarp...
Thanks again to Top & Trim Upholstery in Troutdale, OR for doing the installation and letting us hover around with cameras and lights for 3 days. Check them out: top-n-trim-upho...
Absolutely the Best top installation vid ive seen. I have installed two tops on my 68 Galaxie, one on a 69 Deville, and one fox body Mustang and I still learned so much more from this man. He is definitely experienced professional. Thank you for exhibiting your profession out there for us do it your self guys!
This was an outstanding video, thank you! I have a 1963 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz and the top just isn’t quite right. After watching this video and seeing all of the details, I understand I should leave well enough alone for now. When it comes time for a new top, I know what I’m in for.
Most guys would just say good enough and Let it go, no one will see anyway. Glad to see someone still does it right, long live old school. What will we do when you guys are gone.
Agreed, we were blown away by the attention to detail. It took a lot longer than expected, but for a reason. If you've seen the other convertible top video we did years ago on a '69, the comparison is night and day. That one was slapped together in a day and we cringe at it now that we know so much more. We might just delete that one now...
You got THAT right.
No way I would try and do that myself, It really shows that its better to pay someone who knows what they are doing. I bet there is 1000 staples. Thanks for the great video Don
John Lawson I just made an appointment for my cutlass after watching this
Great Job class was in session
Thanks to you my sixteen year old install the top on his big brother car .no wrinkles next day you are a top class teacher thanks for teaching the future generations
Good job....boy do I wish that you lived next door!! This will be my third top ...one 30 years ago, one 20 years ago and one now.
My Hat is Off to the Installer. Magnificent Job!
It always amazes me, that when people have something completely pulled apart, that they do not clean up the entire area they are working in... @ 25:11
It is always good to watch someone who does know what they are doing and is good at it. Seems to me it is about patience and the old "measure twice - cut once"
Fantastic! I'm dealing with a poorly installed top by the previous owner. I'll definitely have a pro like you do it when I eventually do a replacement. But for now this is great for what I need. Thanks.
Very helpful video for install new convertible top.- Absoluute fantastic to see how to doing this job correct done. - Thanks a lot : )
Excellent video ! I am about to do my 66 Mustang and there were no other videos that showed them putting on the side quarter pads. Doesn't look like they even put them on. Your video is by far the most detailed and well explained. Thank you taking the time to make it and post it !!
Thank you for this video. It was extremely helpful to replace the top on my 73 Mustang.
Incredible workmanship, this skill must take years to learn.
Awesome video; thanks so much! I'm going to do a Chevelle, but basically same type of top. I've never done anything like this before, but looking forward to trying.
Great video, thanks for sharing. Here is a massive amount of many years experience behind. And the steamer seems to be a must have but cant afford equipment.
Gluing and staples oh my
Wow The tight Fit the Augustin The tuck The other side sun shrink Then Back to the Streamer one spot canvas dip Back to the tight slip under The Trunk Again shrunk , BUT KNOWING The sway the Lay out pattern Tamed NOW IN a PICTURE FRAMED NICE ITs NO Game LOTs OF train
Great video!! Which type of Garilla glue do you recommend? There are several types. Thanks
Seems like a new upgrade top would call for upgrading the top & window rubber seals? I would not recommend using oem original rubber on a new replacement top. Especially since you said it’s so labor intensive.
Thanks for the classic car content. Ihave two that need a new top. Do the replacement top maker use solar thread to sew the top together? I made mistake of using a aftermarket top for a Z3 and the treads started disintegrating after a few years even though it was always under a cover at home.
very helpful video! I must know... what is the music in this video around the 53M mark??
I asked they guy who did this video for us, and here is his response:
You know what, I think that was something that a customer sent. He was a musician; sent us these recordings and said we could use them for whatever. Unfortunately, I don't seem to have those files anymore, or any recollection of what his name or his band's name was.
@@WestCoastClassicCougar cool. I figured it was something like that because "Shazam" couldn't identify it. Anyway just finished my top job and it came out good. Thanks for the great video. I watched it a dozen times.
Hi, i really appreciated the video, you are the best i see , very good knowlege and professionnal, i juste want know where you find your rear bow height specs manuel, i never can’t find this information when i whant to do a top on a classic car , thanks!
We brought in an outside professional and just documented the process. We are not sure where he got his information. You might want to try asking on some of the classic car forums, like www.ClassicCougarCommunity.com.
I have a 65 Galaxie Convertible and Ford Shop manual shows how to do a template to hold the bows in the right position, Maybe they show a mustang setup in a Ford Mustang manual. Good luck.
I watch Family Feud while working also. I'm not an upholsterer, however. I'm a dentist.
Thanks for the video!!
thank u guys'
Great job. I keep thinking his keys on his belt will scar the paint job..
I’m skeptical about this being a DIY if you want a quality look. The experts forgot to install vital parts before gluing.
It can and has been done very well by many DIY guys, but it takes a lot of time and fastidiousness for it to turn out well. If you have never been referred to as being "anal retentive", might be best to just have an expert do it. 😄
Does upgrade canvas material last longer than the OEM vinyl?
What is the labor to install the new kit? You said it took 3 days. That’s a lot of work.
Yes, the canvas does last longer if properly cared for. We have used several installers and the time involved seems to vary by installer, sometimes dramatically. We usually suggest calling several auto upholsterers in your area and see what they quote.
Just wondering, are ‘thinslate’ headliners available now?
That one has a window zipper no fair total waste how window falls out fields
Hi. I am in need of a Rear Wire Arm in black canvas and wire arm end pieces in chrome for a 1969 Convertible Mustang as you demonstrate in your video Can you please advise as to where I can buy the part?
I am in Cape Town South Africa.
I am not familiar with the part you are looking for by that name. Can you tell me at what time it appears in the video? We have virtually all those parts listed for sale on our website, secure.cougarpartscatalog.com.
@@WestCoastClassicCougar It is the finishing strip that runs around the back of the soft top just above the rear window that ends into two chrome end-caps
I need a black one with two chrome end caps please
@@pietervanwyk7294 OK, I think I know what you are talking about, the item shown here: ua-cam.com/video/yGBSecPerlg/v-deo.html.
Unfortunately, I do not believe we can get those separately from the entire top, those come as a component of the replacement tops we sell. You could try emailing Ez-On Tops (www.ezsofttops.com/t-contact.aspx) and give them the link I gave you above to show them what you need. They may be willing to just sell you that piece.
What type of glue is being used?
He uses Gorilla Glue: www.gorillatough.com/product/original-gorilla-glue/
where are you located and how much to replace the top on a 63 comet?
Top & Trim Upholstery in Troutdale, OR did the installation for us and let us hover around with cameras and lights for 3 days. Check them out: top-n-trim-upholstery.com
How do the tack strip go in with stapler or?
The pads (@27:39), the back window (@35:48) and the Top (@46:25, 1:02:26) staple to the tack strips. Then the rear tack strips that are not a part of the top structure bolt to the car (@51:20).
@@WestCoastClassicCougar oh wow they bolt to the 3rd bow oh ok i know i have a 66 Cadillac and it was originally stapled in i know different from a cougar love your video btw
@@bigcurt011 Just to make sure I conveyed it clearly, the canvas itself either glues (51:37) or is stapled to the top structure and, at the rear, the canvas top is stapled to the rear tack strip. The rear 3 piece tack strip is not a part of the folding top structure/mechanism on the Mustang/Cougar (secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/71convtackstrip.html). The 3 piece tack strip staples to the very rear of the top's canvas. Once the top is stapled to the rear 3 piece tack strip, those pieces then bolts to inside of the convertible top well (where the top is stored when it is folded down into the car). The rear tack strip is what connects the canvas top to the body of the car at the rear of the car.
Well I thought it would be easier but 3 days, redo after redo...now I feel like I wasted all the money buying the parts to do it myself. I would think a professional would not need so many redo's. I'm gonna need a lot of chalk!!!
I would watch Steve and the guys. They should have a channel. Mucho Better!
Taking seats off better to hire professional to many steps
Puckering and wrinkles are a sign of poor installer skills. I see the difference with good and poor soft tops going to the shows and the auctions.
Good gob ,but still wrinkle .
Nothing irritates me more, than correcting the butchering by idiots.