Mustang Convertible Top Replacement [2023 Everything You Need to Know]

Looking for a Mustang convertible top replacement? Then you’ve come to the right place. A convertible top is one of the greatest things the Mustang has to offer. On a nice summer day, you can pull it down and enjoy the road.

But as great as it sounds, the convertible top needs replacement after a couple of years.

Don’t worry, though. In this article, you’ll find the perfect top replacement for your Mustang as well as a walk-through section on the assembly process.

3 Best Mustang Convertible Top Replacements

We’ve chosen the best convertible top replacements for your Mustang. Ready to find out why they’re the best? Well, let’s take a look:

01. Sierra Auto Tops & Seats 10-11-MUS-023 Convertible Top

 

Highlighted Features

• Sailcloth vinyl
• Reinforced window
• Pre-drilled retainers

When it comes to making convertible top replacements, Sierra Auto Tops & Seats is our favorite choice for the Mustang.

This model features a gorgeous glass heated window sealed into the vinyl to keep water out during a rainy day.

This is pretty much the perfect replacement for your Mustang. This is thanks to its compact and beautiful design.

For the build, they used sailcloth vinyl, which is the same material the Ford Mustang uses.

The installation process for this one is a walk in the park. The manufacturer has taken care of pretty much anything so that drivers can quickly assemble the convertible top.

Finally, this brand puts the original convertible top to shame. Its gorgeous and stylish design catches anybody’s attention from hundreds of miles away.

What We Liked

• Easy to install
• Modern aesthetic
• Comes with a window
• Holds up well to heat

What We Didn’t Like

• Poorly explained instructions

02. AutoBerry AB-L6-V0M5-MKW2-BL Convertible Top

 

Highlighted Features

• Sailcloth vinyl
• Pre-cut assembly
• Tightly sealed

Replace your worn-out convertible top with AutoBerry. For an aesthetic and modern Mustang convertible top replacement, this brand won’t let you down.

Designed to compete with the stock convertible top, this model features a gorgeous pitch-black finish to stand out from the crowd.

Installing this one takes a lot of time. But, since it is designed to match the stock one, you won’t have to worry about modifying the convertible top.

What’s more, they went with sailcloth vinyl for the build, which Ford uses for the stock convertible top.

Finally, like the previous model, this one also includes a glass heated window on the backside and the top section.

What We Liked

• Comes with instructions
• Gorgeous design
• Designed to match OEM
• Can withstand heat

What We Didn’t Like

• Driver side gets pinched by window

03. AutoBerry FM-05-13-Black Convertible Top

 

Highlighted Features

• Pre-assembled retainers
• Tightly-sealed trim
• Heated glass window
• DOT rated window

Offering a new look to your Mustang, AutoBerry once again redefines what it means to make top-quality convertible tops.

To make the installation process as simple as possible, this brand has already drilled the retainers.

That way, you won’t have to go out of your way to get a drill and do it yourself.

What’s more, this model features a gorgeous finished trim on the edges.

And to make things better, the trim is tightly sealed so that water won’t get inside as easily.

Last but not least, we’re pretty happy with the design. As far as we can tell, it looks way better than the stock one.

What’s more, they went with vinyl just like the two previous models we’ve covered so far.

What We Liked

• Easy to set up
• Stylish design
• Fits right in like the stock one
• Keeps the water out

What We Didn’t Like

• Poorly written instructions

How to Replace Mustang Convertible Top

We’ll warn you ahead of time: this is by no means an easy job. You might need to call a friend if you don’t have a complete set of tools.

That being said, here is how to replace Mustang convertible top replacement:

1. What You Will Need

For this job, get all these tools:

• Flathead screwdriver and Phillips head screwdriver—you might need both screwdrivers when removing some of the screws on the convertible top.
• Needle-nose pliers—staples are hard to remove, so get needle-nose pliers.
• Sockets, extensions, and ratches—get a couple of sockets, extensions, and ratches to remove the convertible top’s bolts.
• A plastic pry bar—consider getting a pray bar for this job. Some parts of the convertible top might be hard to remove without it.
• Measuring tape and a marker—you must measure the top pad before installing it.
• Clamps—you’ll need a clamp to hold the adhesive together.
• Stapler—getting this tool is a must when installing a convertible top.

2. Remove The Screws From The Convertible Top

First and foremost, put the convertible top down. After that, start with the front side rails and remove the little plastic clips to release the side rails.

From there, remove all the screws from the front retainer. Now you should see all the staples across the front.

That said, go ahead and remove all of them with your needle-nose pliers. Next up, remove the front edge.

After removing the front, remove the screws on the side rail. The corners on the side might be glued.

To get around that, get the pry bar in there and move it around. Now simply grab the convertible top and push it towards the back.

3. Release The Bow

After bending the front, you should see the bow on the top. To remove the bow, unscrew the screw on the side.

With that out of the way, unscrew the bolts holding the bow together.

Next up, remove the staples from the bow. After that, remove the other bow just like you did before.

4. Remove The Weatherstripping

Here, you want to remove the weatherstripping, which is on the backside.

To do this, get the ply bar inside and then pull it out. Next up, remove the screws and the rubber part.

Now take off the cover on both sides. From there, remove the third bow just like before.

5. Remove The Back Edge of The Glass Convertible Top

Get in the back seat and then reach into the well liner. Now remove it from the clip. Next up, loosen the bolt.

From there, remove the tension cables in the trim. To do this, release the metal tabs. After that, pull the spring.

6. Take out The Glass Window

In this section, you will have to remove the staples to pull out the glass window.

After doing that, you might notice that there’s still some material left on the edges. However, you don’t have to remove it as it takes a lot of time.

But if it bothers you, remove the screws holding it together, and then remove the clips using a screwdriver. Once that’s done, pull out the rubber part.

Finally, remove the top. For this step, release the metal clips. With that out of the way, remove the original top.

7. Install The Top Pad

Now that you’ve removed the old top, install the new top pad. To do this, restaple the top pad to the rear bow and then put the top into place.

Now, measure the flap and figure out the center. For example, if your flap is 32 inches, draw a mark at 16 inches.

With that out of the way, take the mark you just made and then line it up with the screw. Next up, staple it on. That said, install the bow.

Once you’ve installed the bow, put the bolts back on. Here, lift the headliner and put it into place. For this, you might need somebody to pull on the other side.

After that, put the screws in from the bottom. That way, the headliner won’t come off. Now fold the top forward and install the next bow. From there, attach the headliner to the top.

8. Install The Route Tension Cables

Now that you’ve attached the top to the bows, you have to install the route tension cables on the new top.

That being said, grab the string and tie it to the cable and then pull it through. When pulling the string, make sure to feed it through the retainer. After that, hit it with a hammer.

9. Attach The Top to The Back

Now you have to attach the top to the back. But before that, you must remove the convertible trim molding in the backside.

To do this, simply remove the screws holding it together. And that’s it for the backside.

Next up, remove the edge of the convertible top.

For this, you’ll have to remove the back seat out of the car and then remove the quarter trim panels. After that, take off the screws.

With that out of the way, install the tack strip. To do this, attach the tabs on the top pad to the studs in the backside.

10. Install Tack Strip

Before getting started, please refer to the Mustang convertible top replacement instructions. Each kit has a particular way to tighten the bolts on the tack strip.

For example, you might have to start with the center, the outsides pieces, the middle, and then work your way through it.

That said, install the tack strip and then bolt it down. After that, install the rear bolts for the main hoop.

Now get inside the car and reinstall the screws to the tack strip. Next up, install the cables that go to the bottom front corners of the convertible top.

In the backside, fold the top pad over the convertible trim moldings. After that, put the screw back in and then reattach the clips you took off earlier.

Once that’s done, set up the weatherstripping retainer. After that, reinstall the convertible top moldings. Slide them in, and they should snap right in and then bolt them down. Finally, head over to the trunk and tighten it up.

11. Install The New Convertible Top

Now that you’ve reinstalled pretty much everything, the next step is to put some glue in the corner.

Next, fold it over, and put a staple on it. From there, lightly clamp the corner so that it stays in place. This must be done on both sides.

Once that’s done, please pull down the middle and staple it. Be careful here. You don’t want to pull too much. Instead, make sure it’s even with the line across the frame.

After that, reinstall the retaining plate. Next, install the weatherstrip retainer on the side and then put the weatherstripping back on.

Now set up both the quarter trim panels and then the well liner. Finally, reinstall the back seats. And that’s about it.

As we said right at the start, this project takes a lot of time. You might spend an entire day working on this project if you’ve never done it before.

So, take as much time as needed. That said, here’s a helpful video you can watch for this project:

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for more information about convertible top replacements? Below, you’ll find more information about convertible tops:

How long do Mustang convertible tops last?

The stock Mustang convertible top should last anywhere from 10-15 years.

If yours got damaged, get a Mustang convertible top frame repair kit. Otherwise, consider getting a brand-new convertible top.

How long does it take to replace convertible top?

If you know what you’re doing and have done it several times before, you can get it down within two hours.

However, if it’s your first time, you might spend a whole day working on it.

How much does a convertible top cost to replace?

The average price for a convertible top can go anywhere from $350 all the way up to $500.

And if you have somebody install the convertible top replacement, you should expect to pay $1,000.

This is a very intensive job, which is why it’s relatively expensive to install one.

Conclusion

By getting a Mustang convertible top replacement, you can choose which aspects of your vehicle you want to enhance.

The options we covered above are the best replacement for your Mustang.

They are pretty durable and look fantastic on your vehicle. The installation process for any of these convertible tops takes a lot of time.

It’s not as easy as changing the engine oil. So, you might spend more time than you initially thought.

Nonetheless, doing this yourself sounds more reasonable than spending over $1,000 for the assembly process.