1978 SB Convertible Top Installation

[rjwitt15]

I have a 1978 SB convertible that needs a new top. I went to a local VW restoration shop and they quoted me around $3000 to replace the top. I have done some research into Chuck's Convertible Tops and am trying to decide if I should invest the money to have the top done or if I can do the job myself. I've tried looking for videos on YouTube so I can get an idea of what I'm getting myself into but most of the videos are just slideshows of pictures and don't do a great job of showing the work entailed with replacing the top.

Can anyone shed some light about how difficult replacing the top is?

[jmedwid]

I installed my own top on my 1976 about 9 years ago -- so it has been a while. I used a M&T Manufacturing kit and it wasn't too bad. I believe our Super Beetle tops are a bit easier to install than the older bugs. The actual top is almost like a slipcover with no cutting required. The other layers to require some cutting.

My install job is not perfect, I didn't think twice in a few spots and it came back to bite me. For me the hardest part was figuring out where to place the rear window. I had torn apart my top years before that -- and years before I thought about documenting where the rear window sits in the back 'panel'. I don't think I got mine just right.

I used contact cement and staples to hold the headliner to the ribs. I almost cut the headliner too short for the rear window opening -- I had to tuck under the rubber after I got the top installed.

Getting the rear window installed was a real PITA. I had an old 'pro' come over and help me.. 3 hours later it had to go to another job and never came back to help me and never called me so that I could send him some money for his time. I finally got it installed with my wife's help. I ruined one rear window seal -- got ripped trying to force it on. The layers of fabric and layers of staples starts to build up on the rear window. I would suggest going easy on the staples on the initial layers and making sure the final layer is well stapled and the staples are hammered as flat as possible.

Take a look at my photo gallery; most of the pictures are from my top install. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

John

[MarkWall]

I just got Chuck's convertible top kit along with his instruction manual for my 79. It doesn't look too bad. The instruction manual has quite a few pictures and Chuck is more than willing to answer questions. I read the manual several times and there are certain steps that are a bit out of sequence or confusing but Chuck answered my questions and encouraged me to not hesitate to call him.

I'm going to start mine in a few weeks and I had some trepidation until I got the manual and now I know Chuck is a phone call away. Solid measurements in the manual plus the pictures so you know where the stuff is supposed to go including the rear window frame. Now I'm actually looking forward to the project.

My personal opinion is to order everything from Chuck so you are working with stuff he knows works. I even bought the glue from him. Just feel more comfortable not introducing unknown variables unnecessarily.

If you do decide to order from Chuck just make sure you know what is in, and not in, the kit. For example, the webbing is not included nor are the various trim screws. Not a problem getting them from him but I didn't know they weren't included. On the flip side, he includes several seals (that I had already from WCM seal kit) including the rear window seal. He let me delete the stuff I had from the price.

Mark

[wcfvw69]

I did my top on my 69 bug. The frame had some rust at the front which i understood to be common. I had to cut and weld in some replacement parts, sand blast the frame and then paint it.

The top portion and headliner was not easy to install. I also bought my top and parts from Chuck. I have to give Chuck credit. I burned his phone up alot during the installation process. While my top installation is not perfect, I'd still give it a 7 (1-10) for how it turned out. I did this around 15 years ago.

This was the only top I've done so I don't know the differences between the years. I will say a air stapler is a must.

Funny side note- Be careful with your fingers. During some of the steps, you have to pull REALLY hard with your fingers. During one of those stages, I popped and tore the tendon on the last knuckle on one of my fingers! The very tip of that finger dropped to a 45 degree angle as the tendon wasn't there to hold it up. Luckily my doctor got it straight and in a cast. It scarred over and healed (they don't always) and is fine now.

If you take this project on (it is doable) plan on several days to complete it. When you're done, you'll know why the cost is $3 grand for a pro to do it.
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