graysmoke

I am replacing my top. I see there are several brands and choices to select from. I am looking at the tops online site. Is the Haartz Stay Fast Cloth with glass worth it? is cloth harder to clean? Since my car is not a daily driver and would be garaged possibly with the top down most of the seasonal time which material would be best. It has the vinyl now and the corners are frayed and cracked where it folds. Just looking at choices here from your vert experience. Thanks.

89 Drop Top

My car originally came with the cloth top, and has had nothing but that on it. I just last May got a new top from Tops online. I got the black cloth, but got the glass back window. I absolutely love it, even though the rear window is not as tall as the factory original plastic, the glass window gives a "sinister" look on the rare occasion that the roof is up. It's not difficult to keep clean, but my car is garaged as well.

graysmoke

I've seen a few photos with the glass window and it does give it a sleek modern look. Any problems getting that window top to fold down in place?

89 Drop Top

The only problem, and it's not even a real problem, is you have to fold the rear seat backs down for the glass to clear going into the well. Once it's in place, the rear seat backs can go back into the full upright position. The top stacks just like the original otherwise.

graysmoke

Doesn't sound like a problem other than having to walk to the passenger side or reaching from the drivers side to release the seat. When I got my car the tonneau cover switch wasn't working and I had to pull the release cables so walking around became a matter of habit.
Anyone install their own top and wish they had paid an installer?

yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

I have a stayfast glass window from Tops on Line and love it. Wouldnt look back.

88ragtop

graysmoke, I don't think you want to keep that top down all season. Best to keep it in the up position. What do you guys think?

yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

If you want permanent wrinkles in it then leave it down.

abray1

Anyone know if you can scotchgaurd a stayfast top or is there a favorite (treatment) anyone is using that seems to keep your top in great condition? I have a new stayfast top with the glass window I will be installing soon and would like to go ahead and start with a good coat of something before I install it.

fivestar

You will really enjoy the cloth top with the glass window! The cloth top has a better higher end look by far and my 88 Iroc is a daily driver here in Colorado. when I drive on frosty or light snowy days I am not worried about scraping the back window or it becoming brittle. the only reason I replaced my last top was the Plastic Window eventually cracked...the cloth top was good it was just that the plastic window did not last. Now my Iroc is out in the weather all year and I do not worry. Spend the little extra and pop for the cloth top with glass, you will not be dissapointed.
fivestar

graysmoke

I'm going with the cloth and window. I'm going to attempt installing it, I'll see how that goes. Already seen the install vid someone posted, long process but will save on money.

obomb3277

Personally I have struggled to get the glass top to work for me. I believe your car is the same with the seat belt towers behind the rear seats. I have a 92 trans am and am probably going to switch back to the plastic window due to the problems I have had with clearance.

yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

I had the same problem. My fix: I changed to the tonneau belts. I dont think you can do it any other way.

graysmoke

My seat belt holders are bolted to the tonneau cover itself. I have the cloth top with window on order. Everything I heard here was good but now im worried about this.

What are tonneau belts?

obomb3277

Tonneau belts attach to the underside of the tonneau cover. This allows great access for the glass to fold down into the pit. The problem is finding a set and making the switch. I am choosing to not make this car modification.

TRANSAM82-92

iTrader: (1)

toneau with belts....

TRANSAM82-92

iTrader: (1)

1989 without...
notice on L/R interior panel the power pull next to speaker grille down for rear of top...not many got them. I had one though

rusty vango

obviously the higher quality tops are going to cost more.BUT if you are going to keep the car ,personally I would get the haartz top. I have seen them (I used one on my 70 olds 442) and they are superior to all the rest. I suggest not storing the car with the top down.they seem to like being up ,less chance for wrinkles ect.as for cleaning, mild neutral soap and a soft scrub brush is reccomended

graysmoke

My seat belts are attached to the tonneau cover so Im good then. I have the haartz cloth and window, also new seals. I just need to find time to install it.

graysmoke

Got it done finally but cant put it down for a week. The glass looks awesome. Big differance being able to see back almost makes me forget Im in a vert. Thanks for all the inputs.

Sengine

OK, but will the glass top work with the seat belt towers or not??

graysmoke

If you are talking about the seat belts under the tonneau cover, yes the glass will work.

Sengine

no my seat belts sit on a tower attached to the body behind the seats, Not on the cover.

yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

Mine did too. I think they were like that in late 91 and 92. They werent like that before these years.

graysmoke

my seat belts are on the cover.

yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

Mine are now. They were on towers. I changed them because my tonneau had the place to mount them.

obomb3277

Yes, it does work with the towers behind the seat, it took a little for me to figure it out with the glass. The key is to make sure the glass goes over the top of the 5th bow which can be difficult when the top is new.


I have had my cloth/glass top for a while now and I wouldn't use anything else.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Greysmoke, What brand did you end up going with? Looks awesome. Good job.

graysmoke

I'll need to look up the brand but it is a haartz stayfast glass.