T-tops

[Black Camaro V6]

Was thinking about getting some T-top's off of ebay but does anyone know how much it would cost to get my car coverted to a T-top? Or if it is safe to do so?

[Domestic Violence]

why wouldn't it be safe?

http://pages.sprint.ca/Conversion/files/Index.html

most kits will cost you about $400 unless you get lucky like i did. under $200. ;)

[BattyV6]

It's perfectly safe to do so. I'm starting mine in a few days. There are kits that you can get with everything you need except the new headliner, from speedautomotive.com
There are a few sites with lots of pictures of the install. Best thing to do is look at the pictures over and over, and get firmilier with them. I've benn constantly looking at all three sites for well over a year now and feel pretty confident about making the chop. I can't wait to open air cruise!

http://www.dw-zone.com/t-tops/t-top.asp
http://www.geek-racing.com/curt/T-top_conversion/
http://www.redlineenterprises.com/mtmike/ttops.htm

-Andrew

[MTMike]

It's very possible and safe to do. Just so long as your patient and follow all the pointers given in all the write-ups shown.

Domestic - that's the best write up I've seen for it!!!!!!! I wish that would have been available when I started my research. I would have done mine a year earlier if that was my guide.

Edit: Is that your car? Very quality craftsmanship!!! You (or whoever that is) did a much better job than I.

-Mike

[ March 19, 2003: Message edited by: MTMike ]</p>

[BattyV6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by MTMike:
It's very possible and safe to do. Just so long as your patient and follow all the pointers given in all the write-ups shown.

Domestic - that's the best write up I've seen for it!!!!!!! I wish that would have been available when I started my research. I would have done mine a year earlier if that was my guide.

-Mike<hr></blockquote>

Yeah, that guide is good! Who's is it?

-Andrew

[Domestic Violence]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by MTMike:

Domestic - that's the best write up I've seen for it!!!!!!! I wish that would have been available when I started my research. I would have done mine a year earlier if that was my guide.
<hr></blockquote>

he is gripenfelter on CZ28.com.

i bought the t-tops on ebay. he is throwing in the trim and the little brackets that go with the kit.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...407309787&rd=1

questions:
what's the difference in the windshield trim?
will a jig saw go deep enough for the cut on the side beams? i think a jig saw would be easier to use.
did you use a dremel for the cut that you made in the channel to get the lip for the weatherstripping to bend?
would that sealant work better than bondo?

i'm calling the guy in a little bit to make sure everything i need is going to be sent. as soon as they come in, my roof is coming off so depending on UPS, this weekend or next.

[MTMike]

The difference in the windshield trim is the one for the t-tops has a lip on it to seal the front of the t-tops to the roof. Cuts down on windnoises and leaks.

I wouldn't trust a jigsaw blade to stand up to the abuse of cutting those side beams. As it was I broke a sawzall blade during one of the cuts. I would highly reccommend using a sawzall for the main cuts. It took less than a minute to cut through the beams with the sawzall.

You could use anything that forms a hardened, sandable surface to fill and form the areas that need it. I chose bondo because I lived in a small town during the time I did it and that was basically my only option. I had seen fiberglass done but for me it was A) too inexpensive and B) I couldn't really see how I could utelize fiberlgass strips to form to the shape I need and then be sandable.

-Mike

[BattyV6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by MTMike:
I had seen fiberglass done but for me it was A) too inexpensive <hr></blockquote>

That's agood thing ain't it? j/k
[img]tongue.gif[/img]

-Andrew

[Black Camaro V6]

well, I am that type of person who couldn't do this and would rather pay money for it to be done. Will body shops do this? I would probably buy all the materials off ebay but I couldn't live with myself if I fuxor'd up my 6mo old car ;)

[1 Bad Ass Formula]

I got t-tops put in my car, my dad did them for me since he is very good with customizing. They fit and are as good as if they were standard on the car not to mention they don't leak one bit. I roughly spent about $1500 for the entire job.

I also had got pricing from a shop that specialized in t-tops and sunroof's. I actually called three places, 2 said that they wouldn't touch it, and the one said it would cost about $3000 with the parts being from a junkyard car and not new.

[Black Camaro V6]

While looking for someone to do T-tops I came across this page...check out his car, That is one of my favorite...favorite cars. Infact I used to drool over it ;)

http://www.markscustomkits.com/T-top_Conversion.html

[ March 19, 2003: Message edited by: Black Camaro V6 ]</p>

[dashiftyfella]

how long did it take you guys?

[Domestic Violence]

i think i'm going to use that 3M seam sealer. it looks to be the easiest to use and sand. there is an auto body supply shop closeby so i can get anything.

the kit i got doesn't come with the weatherstripping so i'm waiting on that right now. the kit itself has already been sent. i'm looking to do this next weekend when all my parts get here.

MTMike, stay around. i may need you next weekend. you're my hero right now. [img]smile.gif[/img]


i called the dealership yesterday just to price the weatherstripping. $269.80 per side. [img]graemlins/omg.gif[/img] talk about an @ss ramming. glad i'm only spending about $30 for both.

i'm going to set a record for the cheapest T-Top install. :D


--one other thing...
i talked to a guy that did it and used his original headliner. how hard would it be to freehand trace out the t-tops on the original headliner? i don't see buying another if i can cut mine to fit.

and the t-top shades are gray. my interior is black. can i dye these to match? and how do you install those t-top holders?

[ March 20, 2003: Message edited by: Domestic Violence ]</p>

[MTMike]

I'll be around.. if you have any questions, e-mail or IM me. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I don't think the headliner trick would work, to be honest with you. There alot more curvature in the t-top headliner around the edge of the opening. It curves/curls upward alot more than the hardtop headliner would if cut. It could work, but it wouldn't look very good.

I didn't install the t-top holders because I have my subs in the t-top storage area. I just set the tops in the back seat when they're out.

Shiftyfella- It took me about 40 hours spread out over 2 weeks.

-Mike

[1 Bad Ass Formula]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by dashiftyfella:
how long did it take you guys?<hr></blockquote>

It took my dad 35-40 hrs spread over 2 1/2 weeks.

[ March 20, 2003: Message edited by: 1 Bad *** Formula ]</p>