Roof swap

Sam Wyatt · Post by **Sam Wyatt** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Hi all

How hard is it to swap one whole roof (frame everything) from one cab to another ?

sixsracing · Post by **sixsracing** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 8:30 am

Easier than putting a new top on an old frame. Hard part will be lifting it, and you still have to deal with the contortions of getting at the rear cable hold downs underneath the back deck. Other than that your golden.

By the way, welcome to the forum.

Post by **Calimus** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 9:35 am

I'd agree, while I haven't done that, I have taken the entire top off a cabby before. It's a bit rough as you will have to enter from the trunk to get at some of the bolts. It's uncomfortable as hell, but doable. Once you have the new top on, take it to someone that can make proper adjustments. This way all the hard work doesn't go down the drain. Every car's body is a bit different so things won't line up perfect.

Sam Wyatt · Post by **Sam Wyatt** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:04 am

Thanks for the replys guys

I think ill give it a go ! Ill be doing it in about a week or so ill def post some progress pics.

Sam

bubster007 · Post by **bubster007** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:47 pm

Sam,
Keep us posted on your progress. I just replaced the top on mine recently. I should have let a pro' do it. There are somethings that I do not well. Installing tops and marriage are two of them. I took the rear window back out today and removed all the staples then tried to make it look better. Still has crow's eyes at all four corners. I will probably never be satisfied until I buy a new top and let a pro' install it $$$.
Good luck with your adventure.
I wish someone would mold a top from a Cabby and make a removable top that looks like a convertable top. I would pay some serious cash to have one.
As far as swapping tops from one car to another, frame and all...That will be somewhere up there with the life time acheivement awards. I can invision that you will need new side and rear cables. (Cabrioworld.com) (They even have the front corner plastic caps). Also, grease the rear cable at the rear corners of the car before you start tightening it up tight. Do not try to make the rear cable pull in tight (it will break) until you take a rubber mallet, start in the center and hit the round bead (on the edge if the top) to force the cable under the lip. Do this all the way across the rear. Then tighten the rear cable. You will need a swivel head ratchet wrench to tighten the cable (10mm).
This is a two day job at least.
I hope I explained that well enough to help you. I read alot about top replacement on the web before I started but I did not grasp the concept of using the bead to drive the cable under the lip. Finally, it just occured to me after hours of frustration. Sometimes it takes my light a while to come on and still, it is dim. I'm not a dim wit. I'm a dim lit.
E-mail me if you run into a problem and I will try to talk you down off the ledge. This site doesn't have a huge following but there are some very experienced thougthful guys (and Gals) here that will give you good advise. They might not be the best motorcycle riders in the world but they do their know Cabbys. Hey, and they know alot about scorpions and coffee so if you are playing trivial persuit...

bubster007 · Post by **bubster007** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 11:02 pm

"but they do their know Cabbys".
Is that a quote or what?
-
No one explained English Grammar and Composition to me in school.
I did not know you would actually use it again after you passed the quiz.
-
I think I'll have a beer and practice for a urinalisis. That would be a "wiz quiz" and with enough practice, I know I could pass one or two of those.

BigDaddy90Cabby · Post by **BigDaddy90Cabby** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 7:58 pm

what do you mean use the bead to drive the cable through?? Bub, what was the hardest part of replacing the top yourself.. when time comes, think I am gonna have to do it myself. no one in this town will mess with them.

bubster007 · Post by **bubster007** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 11:11 pm

The bead is sewn into the top along the rear at the bottom. It is actually a piece of clear rubber tubing. If you take a rubber mallet and strike the bead it pushes the cable up into the rear lip of the car like this: COO.
If you hit the last "O" it will push the middle "O" inside the "C". The last "O" is the bead, the middle "O" is the cable and the "C" is the lip.

Now say, "OIC".

Post by **Briano1234** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 11:19 pm

bubster007 wrote:"but they do their know Cabbys".
Is that a quote or what?
-
No one explained English Grammar and Composition to me in school.
I did not know you would actually use it again after you passed the quiz.
-
I think I'll have a beer and practice for a urinalisis. That would be a "wiz quiz" and with enough practice, I know I could pass one or two of those.

Had to take a flight physical in the coastie guard.....after a heavy night of drinking, they drew blood....as I was sitting around waiting for the flight surgeon, the chief came up to me and said to come back tomorrow to give more blood, as it was I had too much alcohol and not enough blood.

Well we only stopped drinking at 5:00am and the Physical started at 7...
Another good trick was to eat a couple of poppy seed bagles....

bubster007 · Post by **bubster007** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 1:38 am

I actually took the flight physical for the Coast Guard in Puerto Rico once, I think some of those shallow water sailors had as much or more to drink the night before, than I did!

BigDaddy90Cabby · Post by **BigDaddy90Cabby** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:38 am

so did you fail?

bubster007 · Post by **bubster007** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 9:22 am

Yea, but then I passed the SEAL physical and the rest is history. (A history of me becoming a lead magnet). BTW There has been only one Coast Guardsman killed in the line of duty since WW2.

BigDaddy90Cabby · Post by **BigDaddy90Cabby** » Sun May 01, 2005 4:35 am

what the hell is a lead magnet?

Post by **Briano1234** » Sun May 01, 2005 11:19 am

same as cannon fodder....itis a military target for painting a bullseye on your uniform.

BigDaddy90Cabby · Post by **BigDaddy90Cabby** » Sun May 01, 2005 12:36 pm

Two resons that i didnt go into military...
1. I have no idea what half that stuff you are talking about it.

2. Old Georgie has thousands of troops over there, and 2 of my buddies over there that are dead now.... damn, gotta love our El Presidente. Having lunch here in Texas with Saddam's Cousins, and Bin Ladins mom last week (exageration), but you know what I mean? They probably planning the next attack so it can better our economy!

Sorry to get your thread of subject.. so did you do the roof change out?