kniv3s

Hey guys, I recently bought a whole new Soft-top (frame included) and took it to an upholstery shop to get it installed.

Originally they quoted me for 225 to install the top, but earlier this morning, they called and expressed that they weren't aware that the whole new frame needed to be installed and that it would be a lot more expensive than originally mentioned.

The lady said it would be about 1200 just for the install. My question is if this sounds about right? It sounds like a little much just for a top install, but if this is what I could pretty much expect anywhere, then I might as well have them go through with it.

Any comments or experiences would be appreciated, thanks!

kalibo

Most places around here charge $1300-$1400 for the soft top and labor. I can't imagine the frame being that much more.

heathas2k

swapping the frames is not that hard... it just tedious work, and takes a while. the seats need to come out, unless you're really small and can squeeze back there, and the roll bar's have to come off as well, as well as various panels in the car. the spare needs to come out, and bolts undone in the trunk too. everything then needs to be put back together after the frame is properly fitted.

I bought my top/frame off a fellow member who was gutting his. It took us about 5-6 hours to take my 01 frame/top out and put his 05 top/frame in.

kniv3s

Thanks for the hasty responses guys!

I was just afraid that I was being over-charged, but since y'all laid out everything that needs to be done, I feel more comfortable going through with it.

Thanks again!

JackS

My suggestion would be to remove the old top and frame yourself.
Since I've never done this job myself but have read several posters on the forum, the job is much more time consuming than it is difficult.
If you undertake the removal and are sucessful, you may gain the confidence to do the new installation. Even if you decide at some point to stop and elect for a shop to finish the job, you have saved a lot of time that the shop should not charge you for . If you consider that a shop probably gets $75-100hr/labor, you can also consider that same amount of money coming back to you for every hour you spend on the removal and/or replacement if you decide to take it that far.
If you are not dependent on the S for daily transportation consider this option.

suprmonky73

there are a lot of threads and guides on how to do it yourself

oyitzpreston

i say would do it myself save myself a 1000. Like he said its tedious work but 1000/ 5-6hrs MUCHO bucks.

s2k_dreams

Looks like you're located in La Puente?

Post up in the socal section. There are a bunch of members who can do it, including myself. I'm sure they'd take $300 or $400 for the labor.

Hero

[QUOTE=kniv3s,Apr 21 2009, 08:40 AM] Hey guys, I recently bought a whole new Soft-top (frame included) and took it to an upholstery shop to get it installed.

Originally they quoted me for 225 to install the top, but earlier this morning, they called and expressed that they weren't aware that the whole new frame needed to be installed and that it would be a lot more expensive than originally mentioned.

The lady said it would be about 1200 just for the install.

Hero