'66 Town Landau Vinyl Top-needs replacing

[my66cruiser]

My '66 has some minor roof rust - due to holes/cracks (you name it) in the vinyl top. I want to have the vinyl top replaced (and the rust fixed at the same time). I have heard that a window has to be removed to do this properly. Is this true? If so, which one has to be removed (front/rear) and is it possible to do w/o removing the window? Any place in LI,NY recommended to do such work?

[Buster53]

Only if rust has eaten threw the roof metal on rear and front windsheilds. Very expensive to do repairs the right way as I did mine and you got your work cut out for you. Big job!
Did mine while restoring and replacing door gaskets. On inner door molding throw screws away and replace with pop rivits, easier to remove later and will hold tighter than a screw.Can get them in aluminum and stainless and will not rust. These will not be seen they are covered up by outer trim for door gasket.

[my66cruiser]

Hi again Buster53,

Thanks for answering and for the weatherstripping hardware tip. Using hardware that does't rust makes sense and the rivets are a neat idea. I have not started this job yet but probably soon since I am getting tired of looking at my black duct tape on my vinyl roof. All of my door weatherstripping will be done too when I do the roof since it is old and cracked.

[Buster53]

if you would like Email me at [email protected] or call 8033087659 my name is Donald Hughes.

[my66cruiser]

Hi Buster53,

Thank you for your info. And if I need any assistance, I'll be sure to contact you.

[Harley Eaton]

Note that the vinyl top was originally installed between the stainless drip rail and the vehicle body. Also the vinyl was wider than what is readily available. You can, of course, install your vinyl top without removing the stainless drip rail, cutting and caulking in the drip rail trough . It just will not be original.

[my66cruiser]

Hi Harley,

Yes. If and when I do it, I will do it the original way and get it underneath the drip rails and whatever other trim it should be under. Thanks for mentioning that to me.

[Buster53]

I did mine the original way, under drip rail and all other chrome related to car. The guy at the trim shop told the same thing about not going under drip rail, defeated my purpose of a full restore of not getting all rust out. Maybe replacing top again if it leaks under again.Thanks Buster53

[Buster53]

The original replacment top for 66 comes with excess material so it can be trimmed to fit correct. I ordered mine from Macs with the correct grain material for less than two hundred. And it was a padded top. Did mine myself and saved the 8hundred trim shop wanted, and it looks great.

[Buster53]

cruiser, I have a ground wire that is broken loose located on drivers side of carjust left of sterring section. It is grounded on fender well under master clyinder just where brake lines go to the proportion valve. Can you see on your ride if it goes into wire harness connection block or some where else?
It would be of great help to me to find its location and where this wire goes to. Buster53

[my66cruiser]

Hi Buster,

I'll take a look today for that ground wire. My car is not all original but I'll take a look and get back to you by tonight.

[my66cruiser]

Hi Buster53,

I just looked at my car and did not see this wire. I only noticed the main firewall connectors that are very low on the firewall (driver's side) and the harnesses that are routed along the wheel well. These lead to the front of the vehicle.

But it could be that your car has some options that mine doesn't and also the fact that my harnesses may not be all original.

Hopefully someone else can answer your inquiry.

[Buster53]

Thanks cruiser I'm still looking for the broken wire, my ride has cruise control thought it went there but it doesn't. I'm going to check some PDF's and see if maybe there was a switch on proportion valve for a brake failure switch maybe there use to be one in past. I do know, however the brake lines on mine have been replaced in past years by whoever and maybe some left overparts that was not replaced by a shadtree. Just got to have leftover parts or it won't work. And the mystery continues. Thanks

[my66cruiser]

Hi Buster53,

Okay. Thanks for explaining. My car does not have cruise control, it does not have air conditioning, and it does not have power windows so I have fewer wires than those with these features. I hope you can find where your mystery wire goes. The proper wiring diagram should help if you can ascertain the color of the wire - assuming it is an original wire.

[Harley Eaton]

I think you will find that the ground wire from the steering gear box to the chassis (inner fender) simply grounds the gearbox/ steering column to the car. It was used on some models that needed that ground for the horn.