Originally Posted by
Longbeach90814
I just dont think I have the expertise for me to install a new ragtop. Do wish there was someone in the So Cal area who has done this themselves
You do not need "expertise". I just did mine 2 weeks ago after receiving the new top from BAS. I had never used a pop rivet gun in my life.
Just watch the video on youtube over and over again and when you are actually changing your top,
take your time.
Installing the new top is even easier than what is shown on the video (which is great btw). Remember that the top frame can be moved. Whenever you feel something is not easily accessible, just play with the open/close button to change the frame geometry.
As mentioned, you need to buy a pop rivet tool, which is cheap.
If you buy it from Harbor Freight like I did, go for the one that has an assortment of rivets included.
As much as I liked the top from BAS, I did not like the pop rivets that came with it.
Originally, the rivets are two different sizes (diameter) on our cars: small - large - small - large, from front to back. On the other hand, all rivets from BAS are the same size (small).
I ended up using the BAS rivets for the small size because they have a longer head, which is needed, but I used different rivets for the large size. They were shorter but that's OK for the large ones.
Long story short, I believe you need two sets of rivets: small diameter long head and large diameter short head.
That being said, a lot of people have done it before and never complained about the rivet thing...