Challenger Vinal Top install.....Easy ?????

Can I do this myself without a helper ?? On the installs I have seen on TV or in magazines there is usally 2 or more people holding and others streching the vinal as it is pulled down on the roof. I have the wide seam 71 Challenger top. Do you install the back duchman panel area first or last ??? Thanks for any tips, tricks that you can share.

Here is a how-to from the tech archives.

http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/misc/4.html

Tips, spend the $250 and take it to a professional, the glue alone we run $100-150 and as I understand it you have 1 chance to lay it just right. I will do most anything myself but not vinyl tops.

I just did a vinyl install on my charger. I was a first timer and by myself. I would suggest having one helper. I attempted it alone and because of that I have a new top on the way and have to do it again next weekend. With that said if I had a second set of hands it would have been really easy and would have came out perfect.

A Charger top is on the easy side... the Challenger wide seam is probably the most difficult top to do correctly... not saying it can't be done, but it will be difficult.
It has to be carefully centered and not overstretched when installed. The tricky/difficult part is getting the seam positioned properly relative to the drip rail.... the seam is a gentle sweeping curve that looks pretty ugly if it's pulled crooked.
Another area that can be challenging is below the rear window; if the material isn't stretched just right in the sail panel area and/or positioned just right, you'll end up with a pucker from too much material below the window.


Rick

Yeah Rick, That seam is what I was worried about...it dont look easy and the rear window area was also a concern. The problem is that there are not any shops around that do vinal tops anymore in this area.

And I'm in WI... !!!

How much do you stretch the top when putting it on? It does not take much to get the seams distorted when putting it on.

You don't really stretch it except where needed...
in particular the sail panel on the Challenger.
The "normal" areas of the top are more of a "keep it taught" deal.