Just picked up a 1998 RT 10 and questions

[Maxpower29]

Just bought one, never owned one before, always wanted one growing up.
Came with the soft top and the 3 piece top. After searching I realize this was not stock and was an upgrade? If so does anyone have info on how to do the install? Seems difficult by the looks but I have no idea.
It has 45k miles (72kms) so I am wondering outside of any of the normal maintenance I should look at? It basically all stock other than the K and N intake. Feels tight, drives great for a 21 year old car.
Also wondering what everyone does with the tops? I am thinking the 3 piece is the easiest since it fits in the trunk to have on drives where you dont know the weather. I seen videos of the soft top being placed in the trunk, but mine does not seem to fit. Any ideas?

[Fatboy 18]

Soft top does fit in the trunk but you have to put it in the trunk either Left or Right side first, it's been years since I played with an RT/10 But it does fit

The 3 piece top was if I remember correct a Jeff Lemke product
Found a thread here with pics,
https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...New-to-the-VOA

As for servicing
I would look at swapping out the rubber brake lines for stainless braided lines, replace all fluids, new set of plugs are cheap.
What tires are you running? How old is the rubber? If you intend to drive the car in a Spritted fashion I would check how old the tires are, they may have tread, but the rubber goes off hard after a few heat cycles.

Welcome to the fun.

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Congrats

PLEASE, Pleassssse verify the date-codes of your tires. At end of DOT line on sidewalls, 4 digits in a BOX or OVAL.

Old Hard tires may look OK but can DITCH YOU quickly.

[Lalmeida617]

Soft top does fit in the trunk but you have to put it in the trunk either Left or Right side first, it's been years since I played with an RT/10 But it does fit

The 3 piece top was if I remember correct a Jeff Lemke product
Found a thread here with pics,
https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...New-to-the-VOA

As for servicing
I would look at swapping out the rubber brake lines for stainless braided lines, replace all fluids, new set of plugs are cheap.
What tires are you running? How old is the rubber? If you intend to drive the car in a Spritted fashion I would check how old the tires are, they may have tread, but the rubber goes off hard after a few heat cycles.

Welcome to the fun.

Insert the top into the cutout in the drivers side of the trunk first, it is a tight fit. (I asked the same question on this forum when I got mine)

[Maxpower29]

Thanks guys. Got it to fit when I was home. It's tight but works.
Going to do the regular fluids soon as I get a handle on what I want to use.
Hard top install is the next thing to attempt.
Also it came with black vinyl stripes. I don't like the really and may take them off. Is there a time frame I should consider leaving them on if it's been too long? Not sure how long but it's between 2-5 years but don't know exactly .

[dave6666]

Never waste old tires. Do a burnout vid in a Starbucks parking lot.

[Maxpower29]

Tires are exactly 4 years old on the newer set. They seem in good shape still. Whats the thought on using them?

[LifeIsGood]

They should be fine. Most will tell you they age out at 6-8 years.

[Bill Pemberton]

Tires should be okay and assuming you mentioned Kilometers you are possibly in Canada? If so , time now to sign up as an actual member of VOA with the Region in your area, and I can guarantee you will find some new , and very helpful friends!! They can also give you a good idea on whom they feel comfortable taking their Snake to for service?

[Maxpower29]

Thanks. I honestly did not even realize there was an option.

[My98RT10]

As we usually say here, without pictures it didn't happen

Congrats on this iconic ride and enjoy the Viper experience!

[Maxpower29]

Not sure how to do multiple on my phone yet

[Maxpower29]

In garage

[My98RT10]

Another silver bullet, awesome! May I ask, when yours rolled off the assembly line? Mine did in November 98... just wondering if yours was put together around that time, too.

[Maxpower29]

I am not positive and can't check today because I'm away camping for the weekend but I believe it was late in the year. December comes to mind but I don't remember what I seen.
Putting the stock wheels back on once new tires are installed also. Love them

[Maxpower29]

More picturesviper.jpg

[Maxpower29]

Few basic questions.
-Other than the obvious oil change, what fluids should I change? I know the answer is usually all of them but I will be doing them as time goes on and starting with the most important.
-The stripes. I want to take them off but I am worried the paint may be different because they have been on there for 2-5 years, not sure the exact time but thats the ball park that the owner who put them on would have. Any suggestions? Should I just leave them? I dont hate them, I am just really an "All stock" look type of person. Stock wheels are going on it soon also
-With the parts I got with it was the power steering bracket kit. Im sure I can search it, but does anyone have the best link or advice for this and should I bother doing it?
-It came with the K and N intake, but with my Tacoma I had modified I ended up not buying one because people were having issues with the cleaning oils and sensors. Is this a problem that anyone here is aware of?
- The headlights need some restoration. If anyone has done this on here, the best technique you used would be?

[lane_viper]

Definitely do the coolant as the interval was every 2 years. May want to get new hoses. I upgraded to silicone hoses.

Mine was running the stock Power steering bracket until one of the bolts broke and I had to drill it out. I went ahead and upgraded to the billet aluminium one. It's really easy to install, as it's 3 bolts that hold the power steering pump and 3 more bolts that hold it to the block.

Just about all my cars have K&N filters, including the Viper and I've not had any sensor issues. The key is when you clean them, let the dry, and don't go overkill with the oil.

As far as the headlights, pretty much any restore kit will work. I used a Turtle wax sanding/polish kit on mine and turned out great.

Enjoy the new ride.

[Maxpower29]

What is the actual benefit of the new PS bracket

[Maxpower29]

Just picked up the other set of rims and tires. Tires of the front have lots of tread but are 10 years old. Tires on the rear are half gone and 12 years old. Any use to me other than burning them off?

[Bill W]

Your PS bracket is cast aluminum. They break. Do the install. Tires make nice flower rings for the garden

[Steve-Indy]

...what Bill said...and, get rid of the crappy plastic P/S pulley before it breaks and leaves you stranded.

As I recall, 98's also have had their fair share of timing chain cover gasket failures...something to think about as well.

[Maxpower29]

Thanks guys. Going to be selling the 3 piece top and the forge star wheels to pay for the tires on the stock wheels and a new oem top.
I'll have more questions soon I'm sure

[Maxpower29]

Here is the pull and bracket IMG_20190818_201530.jpg

[Maxpower29]

Well put me down as a potential tire failure. Didn't realize the rears were 6 years old and I dont know what happened because it sounded worse than it looked but I hit a curb. Need to replace a rim.
Also going to change out some rear stuff like tie rods and ball joints. Any other suggestions and best place to buy?