1935 vinyl roof insert installation

35 coupe

35 coupe

Senior Member
I bought a LB top kit, and was wondering if you put the metal screen back on the wood bows or not. LB instructions do not show it, will it make a difference with-out it, with out the support between the bows. Thanks. HAPPY 4 th of July.
 
"Chicken Wire" wasn't used on all applications. Some used a heavy cotton duck type material like is used on tarps to keep the shape. Some trimmers kept using the wire to keep the shape years after Ford quit using it so you might find it on a later top if it was redone.
 
35 Coupe, did I send you instructions on installing a '35/'36 soft top some time ago? You probably already know this but I'll mention anyway, besides providing support and helping hold things in place, the chicken wire also serves as the antenna for a radio.
 
Also that "Chicken wire" was used as a hidden radio antenna with a lead wire fastened to it and running down the left corner post. Many people , includeing me, would like to have that very difficult to find fitting on the end of that lead. "page 136 of the 1935-1936 Early Ford V/8 club book"
 
I checked page 136 of the 35-36 Ford book and the only thing I see on that page is body styles. Are you looking for the plug that fits into the side of the radio that is about 1 1/4" in diameter and has the six holes to connect the speaker, etc? If so I have one.
 
Sorry, the page is 129. The plug I am speaking of is the one on the end of the antenna wire which comes direct from the chicken wire antenna. Thanks for noteing my mistake on page #.
 
I am just wondering if anyone knows how to find that lead that goes into the radio from the chicken wire. I need one as well. I also would like to know how the chicken wire is attached. Is it anchored to the tack trip and to the wood? Thanks. John
 
Here's a few pics I took when my buddy & I dissasembled the soft top on my '36 3W coupe. Should be the same as a '35. I haven't gotten to the point of reassembly yet, so no pictures. Sorry, this is NOT a tutorial, but one or two of the pics might be of use to you.
In no particular order:

top bows and headliner1 by TagMan, on Flickr
soft top removal7 by TagMan, on Flickr
soft top removal8 + antenna wire to screen + mouse nest by TagMan, on Flickr
soft top removal6 by TagMan, on Flickr
soft top removal5 by TagMan, on Flickr
soft top removal3 by TagMan, on Flickr
soft top removal4 by TagMan, on Flickr
soft top removal2 by TagMan, on Flickr
 
Chicken wire was originally put in as the radio antenna. My 35 has the original chicken wire. I would recommend putting that or something like it in to keep the fabric off of the wood slats. I used the wire and then some thin poly batting. Has looked good for over 20 years.

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
 
I use stucco wire on those tops. It's stiffer than chicken wire(won't bend or sag between bows) and is coated, so it doesn't rust. If using it for an antenna, you staple it to the wood, but don't let it touch any metal on the body. I then put canvas over the wire and then some thin batting to slightly pad the top.
 
I found it worked pretty good when applying the topping to secure it around the perimeter with short sections of retainer strip. They give you something to work against to get the material tight.
 

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My experience with the soft top molding is that they are not all alike. Drake reproduction is different than others and is the one that I have found will fit the best. Other makes, have fun making them fit in the roof groove.

It is my experience for what it is worth.
 
JM 35 Sedan said:
35 Coupe, did I send you instructions on installing a '35/'36 soft top some time ago? You probably already know this but I'll mention anyway, besides providing support and helping hold things in place, the chicken wire also serves as the antenna for a radio.
Click to expand...
John, I just found your note. Do you still have instructions to replace the rubber roof insert? I also have a '35...Stand Coupe. Thank you. If you need my email: Hauschultz@sbcglobal.net
 
Some of you might remember Dale Sandman on this blog from years ago. Here is a copy of his installation method from years ago. Also my profile image of the weatherstrip installed.

I will assume that your vehicle already has the wooden top bows in
place. If this is so then follow these instructions.

First you will need to go to the hardware store and purchase a length
of chicken wire that is long enough to cover the top opening of you
car. Trim this chicken wire to where it just fits inside the top's
opening. Once trimmed, then use some sort of non metallic tape and tape
all around the outside edge of the chicken wire so it will not ground
to the car body.

If your car still has its original radio antenna
wires, then soldier those in place to the chicken wire at the left
front side. Staple the chicken wire to the wooden top bows and make
sure it lays flat and smooth on the top opening.

Now you will need some napped cotton padding to lay over the chicken
wire. Trim the padding to where it fits just inside the top opening.
Next lay the black top cover material over the top and make sure you
have enough excess material laying over the edges of the top opening.
It is best to lay the black top material flat in the sun for a while to
remove any wrinkles.

Once the top material is laid on the top opening of the car make sure
it is straight. Now what I do is to take four (4) six inch long top
rubber edging pieces and feed them into each corner of the top corners
of the car Make sure you gently stretch the black material so as to not
have any wrinkles.

It is usually best to do this with two people.
Lastly, starting at the back rear of the center of the top of the top
opening of the car, begin feeding in the rubber trim piece. Make sure
you have enough to go around the whole opening of the the car. Slowly
feed it in with a flat edged screw driver. When you get to the corners
then remove the six inch corner piece and continue feeding in the
edging. Continue this process until you have gone all around the top.
You may want to lube the rubber trim with Vaseline to make it easier to
feed in to to trough.

Once the topping is in and is smooth, then simply trim the excess black
covering that is on the outside edge of the rubber trim piece and cut
it off with a good sharp razor.Hope all this made sense to you and it
helps you out. Take care.

Keep V-8ing,
Dale Sandman"
 

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Don, thank you for posting Dale Sandman's instructions on replacing the vinyl top. I know Dale sent this to me many years ago, but I filed it so well in my old computer that I can't find it now. I'll download this and file it in several locations and hopefully not lose it again :)
 
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