Install a New Soft Top

The original soft top had more duct tape than vinyl, so I dedicated a Saturday to installing a Sierra (cheap!) replacement.

Removal

• Raised the top halfway, removed the rain rail screws, and marked the bow alignment with masking tape.
• Drilled out two stripped rivets on the side rails and cleaned decades of adhesive residue from the retainer strips.

Installation

1. Warmed the new top in the sun to make stretching easier.
2. Mounted the rain rail and center bow first, then worked outward to keep the vinyl tension uniform.
3. Replaced every retaining rivet with stainless hardware and sealed the rain rail seams with butyl tape.

Final Checks

• Verified latch tension, ran a garden-hose leak test, and reinstalled the interior trim panels.

Photo Log