My Bare Bones 71 Cuda Convert Build

[AARuFAST]

Great job.   
Is there something to put over the staple holes to keep it from deteriorating.
  Wonder how much harder to install if it was a vinyl top,,,,,
My Gran Cpe should have white vinyl top--has black.

[CudamanTom]

I have always wondered how they did this as the cars came down the assembly line.    Nice work Tom, and as my upholstery guy says, " let er sit in the sun, she'll be perfect "     And it's true.   

Thanks Mark. I still wonder how they did it at the assembly line. Had to been much easier and faster. You have me wondering on that. 
And yes, the sun helped to "almost" perfect. 

I'm still looking into what can be done with some of the other imperfections (bumps/bulges from the frame). Maybe a thin layer of foam here and there possibly. I see the same thing on other e-body convertible top installed. So it tells me it's normal but... I want just a little better if I can. 

[CudamanTom]

Great job.   
Is there something to put over the staple holes to keep it from deteriorating.
  Wonder how much harder to install if it was a vinyl top,,,,,
My Gran Cpe should have white vinyl top--has black.

Thanks for your comment. 
I don't know if there is something to help with the staple holes or if maybe they will cure a little better over time in the sun, or get worse. 
As for a vinyl top, I would think it's MUCH easier than a convertible top.

[ShelbyDogg]

Nice job Tom, glad I could help out. Now you know why someone would charge us $1000 to $1200 to install one and they would not try to make it as perfect looking as we the owners would.

One thing I've heard since owning a convertible. Black tops are a lot hotter than white tops. When cruising in HOT weather, night cruising with the top down is perfect under the stars.  It's hard to look cool Cruising in a convertible while sweat is pouring down  your forehead, so look for some add on a/c.

[Finoke]

All I can say is Your Cuda is looking awesome   

You have my respect doing your own convertible top. I'm just so intimidated by that job. Especially if you don't have the old top to remove first. As far as some things that didn't go quite right. Well thats any job. Most of what I do has to be touched up when done. Thats part of the challenge and fun 

Thanks for posting all the pictures and comments. Im saving this thread and maybe I will be brave enough to do the top on mine someday. 

[CudamanTom]

Nice job Tom, glad I could help out. Now you know why someone would charge us $1000 to $1200 to install one and they would not try to make it as perfect looking as we the owners would.

One thing I've heard since owning a convertible. Black tops are a lot hotter than white tops. When cruising in HOT weather, night cruising with the top down is perfect under the stars.  It's hard to look cool Cruising in a convertible while sweat is pouring down  your forehead, so look for some add on a/c.

Thanks Rob.  I can definetly see why they charge what they do to install them. I still would have chosen to try it myself, if anything to learn.
And I had a white top cuda convertible at one time and I'm sure there is a difference in temps on a hot day versus the black top. I do plan to install A/C one day. I've been keeping my eye on Jim's (ToxicWolf) build thread where Mark (Roadman5312) installed the Vintage Air system in Jim's chally. I'll be picking Mark's brain about that when the time comes.

[CudamanTom]

All I can say is Your Cuda is looking awesome   

You have my respect doing your own convertible top. I'm just so intimidated by that job. Especially if you don't have the old top to remove first. As far as some things that didn't go quite right. Well thats any job. Most of what I do has to be touched up when done. Thats part of the challenge and fun 

Thanks for posting all the pictures and comments. Im saving this thread and maybe I will be brave enough to do the top on mine someday. 

Thank you Tom  ,
It's so cool to be a part of this forum, to share but also learn from other's as i have here. 

[moparman82]

Looking good Tom!!  You have much more patience (and skill hahah) than I will ever have

[dutch]

that`s looking really good      I`ve seen cars roll out of profi shops that didn`t look anywhere near as good.  Too bad about the stapleholes, but hey... the whole idea of a vert is to have the top down ,right?   
now hurry up and get some rubber smoking... 

[YellowThumper]

Agreed on "nice job" there.
I also tend to jump in with both feet. At end of day (even with a few small hiccups) it feels better than just writing the check.

Mike

[Topcat]

Congratulations Tom.

It has to be the biggest hurdle on a vert.

[PlumCrazyChris]

THEN, started the swap from drums to disc in the front.
Let me tell you. The pickle fork days are gone!!! Now more fork for the tie-rod ends or ball joints or what ever needs a pickle fork.
This puller is the cats meow!!! 
And got it today at Harbor Freight for $21.00 
[/b]



All you need to do a whole spindle swap from drum to disc is four tools.

[/quote]


Tom, does that HF Ball Joint tool damage the castle nuts?  or do you flip the nuts, or use it without nuts on the ball joint bolt? 

Car looks great!
Thanks,
Chris

[70chall440]

Truth be known, pickle forks were never supposed to be used on Mopars. Yes, we (mostly) have all used them but Mopar recommended impacting the sides of where the tapered pivot is inserted. If you look at the spindles you will see a square flat spot, this is for hitting with a hammer which releases the tension on the pivot (ball joint). I've heard of some guys who use an air chisel with a blunt attachment to act as a hammer to hit the joints as well but I have never had much luck with that technique.