Returned safely from my trip to Alabama, where George, ala_xfire did me a solid and installed my new Blue Mohair top from BAS International. Super guy and very nice wife, treated us like family. I gave what little assistance I could...it's best to not get in the way, but I can pass a flashlight when requested, and even sometimes put the vacuum cleaner in a position to suck up rivet droppings. (Vacuum cleaners work best when turned on).

I watched the You Tube video of the top replacement...it helps to understand the language, but trust me, it isn't necessary. Armed with installation instructions, and armed with the procedure from the service manual, and having the proper tools, one could take the bold step of attempting the replacement.

In my own case, watching the video gave me the confidence to assist George in doing the work, and now, with that experience under my belt, I feel confident that I could do the next one myself (after a few key tool purchases).

One caveat that I will add...although BAS International provides replacement rivets for the job, they do not provide enough. We drilled 9 rivets, and only had 7 replacements. Fortunately, George, in his exquisitely equipped home garage had standard rivets on hand. Shorties, but they appear to be doing the job without issue.

In the end, I am very pleased with the result, and very grateful to ala_xfire. I'm also very thankful that local installation shops quoted from $700 to $2000 to do the work. That gave me the impetus to make the trip from Ohio to Alabama.

 

Excellent job! What would that tool list include Mark?

 

These are the tools that we used:

Battery powered drill - multiple uses
3/8" drill bit (remove rivets)
Bit holder attachment w/#20 Torx bit (remove and reinstall top retainer plate)
Shop vacuum (capture shavings from rivets while drilling old ones)
Steel punch (push out rivet stubs after drilling)
Small ball-peen hammer (to hit the steel punch)
Magnetic pickup tool (grab bits of rivets that remain after drilling/punching)
Door panel removal tool (we didn't use this, but would aid in weatherstrip removal)
Needle nose pliers (remove steel clips from old hood/convertible top)
Regular pliers (when your fingers don't have the grip strength)
Steel pick (remove steel clips retained in bow section of convertible top)
Quality rivet gun (ratcheting gun makes for easier installation of rivets)
Extra rivets - long, 1 inch or so (in case extra rivets are needed, or your top didn't ship with them)
Wooden or soft plastic/rubber mallet (re-install weather stripping)
Spray bottle with Soapy solution (didn't use, but could aid in weather stripping re-installation)
Extra strong led flashlight (better to see in dark crevices)

That's all I can think of now, will update if anything pops in my head.

Ala_xfire - feel free to add/correct my listing

 

A can of white lithium spray grease to lube all the hingey parts while you have the old top (hood) off.

Something overhead to tie the tonneau cover to to keep it up after the hydraulic pressure releases.

A short section of broom handle or PVC pipe for a prop between the top and the windshield header,
or between the window bow and the open tonneau cover.

A good helper.

A good well lighted place to work.

Experience.

Print out the instructions from the SRT6 service manual and put them in a loose leaf binder.
( Do NOT completely remove the front weather stripping pieces, just pull out enough to allow access to the rivet in the 2 front plastic top pieces. )

When attaching the new top(hood) to the rear bow, make DAMN sure you have it correctly centered. BAS puts a center mark there for you.

When re-installing the 2 rear and 2 front weather stripping pieces,
you must first 're-crimp' them by squeezing the flange that fits into the frame socket until there is only about a 1/8" gap.
These get distorted when you remove them. If you don't do this, you will never get them to stay in place.
( start at the top on the rear pieces with the wide flange against the frame socket, this will make the alignment between the 3 separate weather stripping segments line up correctly. )

Warning !!! The first time you attempt to latch the new top (hood) to the header, it will be VERY tight.
This is normal, it will settle in place and stretch out a bit over time.

 

I have known for quite a long time, George is one dedicated XF owner, doer, and helper in almost whatever a member needs. If he cannot find a reference, he will find someone who can. Quite a nice guy too (I hear). One of these days, I have a trip to make. Not only to meet n greet but to buy him a beer!

.

 

Make it June in Eureka Springs !
You could even join our convoy out there, at least from Birmingham.
George

 

Finished the top install this weekend.
Sorry about the photo. That didn't work so well.

 

Sharp color combo.
Did you experience the same rivet shortage that Mark6754 did?

 

Looks Excellent!!

 

Thanks guys. I really like the blue on blue. No problem with rivets really. I have quite an assortment, we have owned several Hobie Cats over the years.

 

Chrysler extended the warranty for the top because of defective adhesive holding the back window in.
They replaced mine

 

How long ago was your top replaced?

 

I experienced my first bit of disappointment in my new top during the monsoon in Dayton, OH last Friday. I don't know the order of magnitude for measuring rain, but whatever is 2 times greater than Raining Cats and Dogs is what we experienced, and I discovered that my skill in replacing weather-stripping is seriously lacking. I had a near-constant stream of water coming in at the front corner of the driver's window, a spot that ensured that my left leg got drenched, as well as filling my dress shoe while I tried to drive home.


After George and I worked on the top we noticed that there was a bit of sag in the driver's side weather stripping...and I now know the result of not attending to that sag during the dry season. At least I know that it takes a drenching rain to produce the result, as washing the car doesn't appear to cause any interior floods. So...I'll have to purchase the wooden persuader to help in the removal and reinstallation of the weather stripping. I'm just hoping that no other disassembly is required.

 

I am buying this Aero Blue Roadster in the Spring from a very good friend
Just wondering how many of you have purchased this top and installed it

Crossfire | Chrysler Hoods | Cabriolet Hoods

I plan to own my new to me Roadster for many years and I'm sure some day I will need to replace the top and I'm sure it would be a good idea to have one of these on hand.
I'm good friends with Jim (Harbor) who helped organize the group buy in this thread and have talked with him about the top he has purchased here

Here is my next Crossfire - 2005 Aero Blue Roadster limited

 

VALK
Nice ride
I tried RENOVO on my top
Had previous used 303
This Renovo is a multi-step process
Very easy to do
Looks great
Thanks for all YOUR previous info, nice to turn it around

 

NICE ! such a pretty car.
Great Pics too .

 

Hello, All!
Well, i contacted BAS International about a new "hood" for our Crossfire. They weren't able to honor the group discount offered to the group a while back, but mine arrived in 4 weeks and 2 days after placing the order. Total cost: $711.00. That was shipping, too! Did the install myself, notes can be found on another thread about replacing the top. So far, so good, except I'm having trouble with the power system.
Thanks for the lead to BAS International!
Bill

 

$711 including shipping? That isn't all that different from what I understood people paid in the group buy.

 

I scanned back to page 3 and saw the group rate was app. $650 including shipping to CA. The exchange rate was not figured in. I paid a bit more, but I was a single buyer, not a bulk buyer so I didn't expect as great a discount. I was pleased by the $711 including the exchange rates. Just contact BAS directly, don't go by the price on their website.
Anyone buying an american made top and in need of the plastic pieces?

 

Mine came in at $564.96 a year ago.
Those needing a new top may want to consider starting another group buy.