Replacing the soft top

[scruffy19]

So I own a 1980 Fiat Spider. And I recently purchased a new fold away soft top for it. I bought it from International Auto Parts and it's a Sun-Fast cloth top. I finally received it and it looks beautiful.... in the box. So I now have figured out that, I have no idea how to install this thing. If anyone knows any tips or tricks or can direct me to some type of how to, It would be extremely appreciated. Thank you.

[TX82FIAT]

Call IAP and they should have a basic set of instructions. Hopefully the packet came with new cables. From memory, I would do it over two days to save yourself a Fiat cranial exposion trying to do it in one day. Did this in the mid 90's and recall the most critical part for me was making sure i had the center line of the top and the car lined up. I did that by measuring both and using a small piece of tape to line up the centers. Count on 6 to 8 hours of labor... maybe more if you make a couple mistakes and have to redo. It tokk me about three days to get it right. If you can find someone to install it for a reasonable price you may want to consider the options. If the price to install is under a couple hundred dollars i would have a pro do it.

[scruffy19]

Yeah that's the problem IAP doesn't have an instruction manual for replacing the soft top. So I guess I'll be winging it or paying someone to replace it for me.

[DocGraphics]

I did a quick search & found this post, it has a link to instructions w/ lots of pics except its in spanish I think.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... op#p109331

& heres another with directions from both IAP & Fiatplus (w/ pics)

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... top#p94927

Good luck on your install, hope these links help

[johndemar]

Installing a 124 Spider Convertible Top

http://www.fiatplus.com/members/tech200.htm