Topic: Power vs nonpower Convertible top

[CW4macret]

The 66 I just got seems to have a manual Top. I cannot find a switch. Can someone tell me if the power and non power use the same frame? I am thinking of buying everything to convert to power but not sure if the frames are the same.

[CharlesTurner]

Same exact frame.  The only difference is power top has hydraulic cylinders and non-power has spring-loaded cylinders.  I guess the spring loaded help bring the top up a little to make it easier to pull up the rest of the way.

Non-power have plastic clamps to hold the top in place.

[CW4macret]

Thanks for the info. Since I want this one to be a driver sounds like I can convert.

[5F08KGT]

In 1967 (I was 10)  my Mom bought a '65 Convertible and she didn't realize the top was manual.
SHE hated that car, but its where I fell in love with Mustangs.
I always begged her to let ME put the top down on nice days in Maryland.....
Really wasn't that hard to do, even for a 10 year old....
Fast forward to 1973 when I bought MY first car-a '65 K GT Convertible....with a MANUAL top!!
Never a problem putting THAT top down either!!

Manual tops aren't that hard to deal with!

[CW4macret]

Thanks I will keep that in mind

[5F08KGT]

Manual tops are really trouble free as far as operating them, very simple.

I think that if I bought a car with a manual top I'd keep it that way......thats just me though......

[NEFaurora]

My '66 Vert came with a Manual top...  I got real tired of having to get out of the car on both sides to lower the top, tired of pinching my fingers...and got tired of having to get out of the car when it started to drizzle outside if I had to pull over before it seriously rained...  I did the full power top conversion as per factory specs back in 2004 by just using a well written Mustang Monthly article and the Osborn Factory assembly manuals.  That's all you need.  You can do it all in a weekend or two. It was so worth it.  Once you go power, You never go back...literally.  There's nothing like just flipping a switch and having the entire top raise or lower in about 30-40 seconds.. Everything to do the Manual to Power Top Conversion is available from NPD.... for around $900.00  I highly suggest/recommend doing it.  If you're not entering in a "Concours" class in MCA... or in an "Unrestored" class, I really recommend doing it.  It's a pretty easy and highly satisfying conversion..  The Power top system is very simple once you know how the system works...and it's damn reliable once it is assembled correctly.   That's just my experience.

Enough said.

My other '65 Vert already came with a Power top.....so I had no need to do that one.. but the Power Top Motor and Hydraullic cylinders were missing and removed when I initially got the car so I did have some work to do on it to get the Power Top functioning again.

)

Tony K.