getting t-tops put in

[Ted]

I know everyone says that it costs thousands and millions of dollars for support to get t-tops put in aftermarket and if you don't the car will collapse. But has anyone really got t-tops installed aftermarket? I really want some done for the summer. It kills me when I see everyone ride around with their sun roof and t-tops. I want something. I want to know an exact cost of what something like this is to get done, not an estimate. Thank You

Ted

[Firebrd9783]

I'm not sure about this, but couldn't a dealership install one? If its possible for them to do it, maybe you can go up their and get an estiment. I don't see why they couldn't do it, im sure they can since they would have to replace one if a t-top car was ever in an accedent and that need to be replace, and as far as I know, when they make a car t-tops at the factory, they use the hardtop cars, thats what the line is for that goes from the top right corner of the driver side window to the other window. Im' sure it comes off and can have a t-top installed in place of it, go up to a dealer ship and ask them if they do it or maybe if they know a place that does them.

[chevcamaro18]

well first off the car will no collapse they are all built with the same frame(except converts) all the do for t tops is cut out the side frame on the driver and passenger side.
both ttop and non ttop camaros have the crossbar in the middle

[Ted]

Excellent, thanks a lot guys. I'm going to call up the GM dealer soon and i'll let you guys know the prices for future reference. thanks a lot

Ted

[knowledgefreak]

there is a kit out there to do this, the car is already designed to take t-tops. Do a search on all the boards and you will find some links to a guy that has already done this himself with a kit.

[knowledgefreak]

http://www.camarov6.com/ubb/ultimate...c&f=6&t=004427

[MTMike]

I'm 95% finished with putting them in my '96 hardtop, and I did all of the work myself. Total cost: Just over $650. If I can do it, anyone can. All you need is a dremell with about a dozen reenforced cutoff wheels, a sawzall, a shop vac, basic hand tools (pliers, hammer, phillips screwdriver, 10mm and 9/32 socket, etc), and stuff to fill, paint & finish.

I will have a more detailed writeup later in the week with specific instructions, and will post it in here. Pictures of my current progress can be seen by clicking the link in my signature

Don't worry about support and collapse. ALL 4th gen F-bodies are designed for AND with t-tops in them. Hardtops are an afterthought, as you can see by the ease of conversion.

-Mike

[ March 25, 2002: Message edited by: MTMike ]

[ March 25, 2002: Message edited by: MTMike ]</p>

[black97cam]

MTMike - Saw the photos of your conversion, good work...but whats with the white strip of tape???? is it tape???? LOL

Is that just there to prevent leakage?

Also, did you paint the bare metal that is exposed??? did you install t-top racks? if not would u be interested in buying mine off of me?

[MTMike]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by black97cam:
MTMike - Saw the photos of your conversion, good work...but whats with the white strip of tape???? is it tape???? LOL

Is that just there to prevent leakage?

Also, did you paint the bare metal that is exposed??? did you install t-top racks? if not would u be interested in buying mine off of me?<hr></blockquote>

Yes.. that's masking tape... In those pics I hadn't finished it yet. I put it there to prevent the paint from splintering when cutting with the dremmel and I left it there for when I bondo, prime and paint. Bondo's done, first coat of primer's on. Tomorrow it gets some glazing putty in the corners, another coat of primer in the corners and then a good, thurough fine sand, and then I'm gonna hit it with a few coats of GM398 Bright Red Duplicolor. The tape will be removed when it's copmletely finished, and then I"ll wash it, wax it and take some pics.

I got the t-top racks but havn't installed them and probably wont. My subs take up the t-top well, so I'm going to buy a 3rd gen T-top bag off of eBay and use that instead.

[bustacap54]

http://www.dw-zone.com/
http://www.geek-racing.com/curt/T-top_conversion/

try these sites, this is where i got the idea from. you can get the parts from www.speedautomotive.com for i think 500, that includes the t-tops, mounting hardware, and weather stipping. you have to order a new headliner from a dealership, they won't send the liner becuase it's too big i think. hope this helps. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]