zipper window or sew it

[capt100j]

Hi Guys,

I foolishly closed my convertible top in 30 degree weather, in storage no less, and cracked my plastic rear window in the 88 325IC. I have read about buying a zipper or sew in replacement and am leaning toward trying to sew one in as that is what I have. Has anyone in this group actually done a sew in? Parts are $85.00 on line, says 2 people 2 hours...hummm... John in NH

[ZM Blue Devil]

find a pro, or you will not only waste 4 hours but will end up paying to do it anyway.

[reelizmpro]

Either your top has a sewn in window or zip in one. You probably have the sew in one. If you need a sew in window, you might consider having it done professionally OR getting an entirely new top with window already installed.

Nice license plate!

[monoblanco]

I broke my window the same way just a few weeks ago. Only I had no idea that temperature would cause the plastic to split.

The window I broke is a replacement window I bought from eMiata. I installed it myself. It was not fun.

I looked into zipper windows but have not been able to find either a top with a zipper or a window with a zipper. I do know they exist. A guy was selling one on craigslist. he had sold it by the time I called him. He did not know of any tops that would take a zipper window either.

Try not to sew in the window by yourself. I did it all myself, that means I had to push the needle from the outside of the car in. Then get inside the car, pull the needle and push it back out. Get out of the car and continue. It took me much longer than four hours.

If you do happen to find out anything about zipper windows and tops please let me know. I need to replace the whole top.

[Kershaw]

i replaced the entire convertible top on my lebaron. and while i managed to do a pretty good job (after at least 10 tries) i would NOT recommend it.

i will NEVER do a convertible top again. what an utter PITA.

[monoblanco]

If you don't mind I would also like to know how much you are quoted for installation.
The tops I've found are about $395 plus shipping.

[wodcutr]

I did mine sewing it in. It took a lot longer than I would have liked it to, but do like the finished result. If you have more time than money then it is a do it yourself project!

[AbsorbantNut]

I did mine sewing it in. It took a lot longer than I would have liked it to, but do like the finished result. If you have more time than money then it is a do it yourself project!

I did this too

[capt100j]

I have two tops both have broken rear windows. One is a fairly new replacement top which I took off the car. I would imagine sewing in a window with the top off would be a lot easier. On the other hand if a complete top is $395 that might be a better way to go. Still 6 degrees out here in NH so it can wait until spring, still weighing the options....

[GT BMW E30]

i tore one corner of my softtop and it took me 3 hours 2 people to restitch it PITA. If you wanted to do a zip window you should try a professional fabric store and find a zipper long enough then have a top repairer put it together. very long way but might work. make a 2nd for safe keeping.

[ubernasty]

Your car looks just like mine did when I bought it. I put a top on mine, it wasn't too bad. I got a top with factory headliner for 400 and paid 100 for new tension straps.