Since it appears this project never got finished let’s see if I finish it on mine…
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xk8-xkr-x100-17/xk8-xkr-convertible-top-replacement-update-217596/
So far am right where he left off… but I’ve got holes in the frame…


wire brushed it & filled smoothed rust with JB weld… looks like it worked…

now I have to go buy the adhesive & primer, and a gasket…
to be continued…

 

Now that should be a fun summer project. Waiting to see the results

 

Painted the window frame…
Almost have all the supplies gathered…

 

So… back in 2019 my dad bought 2 new tops from Autoberry…
I have decided to take on the project this summer...
Got the old top off, decided to delete the headliner it was in really bad shape…
Installed the new top without glue or screws to to see if it works without headliner…
It does, but it’s loose on the sides…
Finally I compared old top to new top…
Turns out new tops are an inch to long on each side of the U shaped hoop that attaches
It to the back… the side panels appear to be the right shape but the center section is an inch to long at the seams…
If you read the fine print of Autoberry’s “guarantee” you have 30 day from purchase to make sure it’s the right size, & if you don’t notice till you install it it’s the installer’s fault..
So I’ve ordered a new Sierra top from Amazon… yes now I’ll have 3…
Got an estimate of $325 to put a plastic window in the old top in case I couldn’t install the old glass window myself…
no estimate yet on whether it’s possible to take a triangle out of the center section, guessing no since they claim they are heat bonded as well as double stitched…
Live & learn…

 

So I’ve half installed the new top…
I like the new one better, the plastic bit you shove into the water rail was stiffer & more like the OEM…
& The sides fit like they’re supposed to! 😀
And it is tight…
As long as it stretches to close I think I’ve got it … 🤞🏼
It’s cooking in the sun with a 20lb bag of rock salt in the cooler…
Still needs to be glued & the window installed…
So I’m right back where I was a month ago… 🙄

 

Managed to get the top to close …
If Autoberrys top was too big, Sierra tops is too small…
Had my son pushing down outside while I pulled down & pushed the top up button…
You can play the drums on it…

 

Used this tape between top & window frame…

 

Maybe it will relieve some of the tension & make it easier to close?

 

Fortunately I have an electric staple gun… still plugs up too often…
Staple… remove messed up ones… tap them home with a hammer & punch…
Double row in the corners…

 

That wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be…
Does seem to have loosened up the top a bit…

 

This may just work…
Need to buy suction cup handles…

 

Added an extra layer of top material where the hinges are…
Also smoothed hinges with a file… it looked like a wear point…

 

Finally glued the top down & installed the window seals…
All that’s left is the back window installation…

 

Good work!

 

Glued the back glass in today!
The molding I used was a little smaller than OEM…
But it was the closest to original I could find…
Difficult to put on the glass but the little rope of butyl helped keep it from coming off…
I stuck a layer of that 1/4 sticky butyl tape on the bottom…
Put the glue on the window per the directions…
Cut the triangle down to half & ran a small bead along the outside edge of the frame to help keep the rubber in, take up space …
Tomorrow I’ll run the water hose on it & it won’t leak… 🤞🏼