irocznut

Will the 4th ngen ttop holder which holds the ttops upright work with 3rd gen tops. Those look so much easier to store the ttops than the ones we have.

Faded

Just mount a 2x4 in the hatch....

irocznut

Why didn't I think of that?

flrtin1

Don't forget to cover it with fir first

irocznut

Thats actually not a bad idea but I just don't think it will look good. Does anyone actually know if the 4th gen ttop holders will work or not??

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

i dont think it will fit properly but you could probably mod it without much difficulty, 4th gen ttops are shaped differently and the front is rounded

tpiroc

Well, if you're serious... the thread is here; https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=229076

Like I said... IF... you're serious

BTW by all means please don't tell the particular thread starter of the link above how you feel about the looks... it's become a touchy subject

BirdsofPray

My advice? Bite the bullet and exert the tiny bit of effort it takes to carefully insert the t-tops into the bag. The bag works. It freakin' works!

DURTYBIRD

If it worked so well, wouldn't they have re-used the idea for the 4th gen cars?

I think that the people who actually like using the bag are in the minority.

Here's my idea. Its still rough, but I only spent about 2 minutes thinking this up:

The bottom part is a metal plate in this shape: |_____|

It goes UNDER the carpet at the bottom of the well (welded in place) the uprights stick out thru slits in the carpet. You drop the T's down into the well, push down the handle that extends the pins into the uprights...then slide PIPE INSULATION (the tube shaped things at the top) on the glass ends of the T's to keep them from rubbing each other.

No glass flying forward under braking. No 2x4. No Fur. No problem!

irocznut

WOW....no offense to the people who adopted that 2x4 idea but for that Ill keep my bag. Thanks for all the sugg.

irocznut

87-black-ws6 thats a really good idea. Alote better than the 2x4. Its really got me thinking.........I might just have to try that out.

BirdsofPray

I know what you're getting at, and I totally agree those who like the t-top bag seem to be in the minority....unless many simply aren't speaking up.

But it isn't that the bag doesn't work, it's just Americans are so bloody fast-paced (read: lazy) they don't want to take the time it requires to neatly place the tops into the bag. They just wanna throw 'em in slots and be off!

Just my preference, I've seen both in action and I firmly trust the bag over any sort of custom contraption - even the 4th gen holders.

DURTYBIRD

For me, its more about being efficient. If I can pop the tops off, drop them in a holder and be on my way in 2 minutes -- instead of 4-5 minutes (I'd say that's conservative)...then I'm more prone to use the t's on a short 15 minute trip. For example, my 15 minute trip (one way) would be 30mins roundtrip plus another 8mins total for t's off/on, versus adding 20mins R/T using the bag. On shorter trips like a 5 min blast to the store...its even more of a hassle.

I remember my last t-top car. When it was new those tops were off at every opportunity. Once I was already used to it, I wouldn't take them off unless it was a long enough trip. That was with just tossing them in the well since my '93 TransAm didn't have the T-top holder for some reason.

If you could leave the tops off while you go into a store and trust that some asswipe won't toss trash (or worse) into your car while you were in there...then the bag becomes more viable.

I know what you are saying, and I agree to a point, but I dont think it's just people being lazy.

BirdsofPray

While I already said what I wanted to say.....that is so true man.

Kevs87Z28

so i guess im a quick t-top into the bag person if i can get mine in there in under a minute and a half huh? awesome new bragging rights!!!!:lala:

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

really whats wrong with the 2x4 ...I think it looks good..

I drove my sisters 95 firebird for a few weeks and really like taking the ttops off and just throwing them in the trunk, its really easy.. but then again I dont even have ttops

BirdsofPray

I take my time so as to not scratch either the tops or my car. If you're able to safely and carefully remove the tops, place them neatly into the bag and secure it in the time you specified, sure, kudos to you. If that really means something to you.

4mul8r

I agree with the bag being generally inefficient. Most of my trips are very short and involve running into various stores. It gets to be a real hassle to remove and store the tops every few mins. This is why I have 4 sets of tops. A good and a not-so good set of plastic and glass. On most of my daily commutes and errand-running, I usually use my toss-around set of plastic ones, so that I can quickly and easily either store them whether I decide to use one of my bags, the well, or my back seats

I have never seen the 4th gen holders "in action", but I am thinking that it is a generally better storage method to begin with.

Look at how glass is stored and transported....Upright! You lay glass down flat and it's more likely to break. The ttops bag and carpet provide a little padding, but then you also have the weight of the other ttop on top of it. Using a bag instead of an upright system is more likely to stratch the ttops as well. It's just so damn awkward to put them in like that. It takes forever to do it right.

BirdsofPray

That's definitely the best argument against the bag....I understand you guys on that point.

I suppose I'm the only one....but I don't know, there's just something about the bag I find awfully grand.

therckid

did i post my idea or did he steal it. I just went to home depot to buy some metal for this. Man i shoulda patented while i still had the chance.

That was relaly what my idea with the 2x4 transformed into. But the 2x4 will still be there but it will be removable, and the locking mechanism at the bottom will be bolted down. Its gonan look very nice, but i gotta finish the rest of the interior mods....




shane

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Oh Lord!!

DURTYBIRD

Yeah, I stole it. Didn't ya see the fur on it?

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Dude maybee you could get some friends together and start making fur covered 2x4's for ttop storage.. you'd have to get that patent first so no one could steal it tho...

deadbird

I've always stuck my tops in the back seat... seemed the easiest solution and keeps from having to dig in the hatch every time you want to store or remove your tops.

SC82TA

I've done that when I just take a short trip sometimes. However once I was parked waiting for my brother with the t-tops in the back seat like that. Wel, after a while the sun hit one of the tops perfectly that it focused a reflected beam of light right on my passenger sun visor and started to burn a hole in it. True story.

deadbird

Notice that mine is painted trim black

BigMike1610

ha, my bag sure doesnt work, its all dry rotted along the zipper, so that when i try to sew it back together it just rips again...............thats why i made an upright, im going to be making another pretty soon.(1st left some to be desired)

Mark305TBI

I hate the bag. I've had the zippers break (replaced with key-rings) and then I've had a whole bunch of the zipper teeth break rendering the first five inches of the drivers side of it useless. I guess one day I'll buy another one, unless I figure out another good way to store them.

BirdsofPray

Your bag doesn't work because someone (presumably the previous owner, I hope) was remiss in the proper responsibilities all car owners have to take ample care of their vehicle and the parts therein.

So, more accurately, you bag would work if the previous owner had put forth the effort to protect the bag from the elements.

BirdsofPray

This is probably, as with the case above, an issue with age or carelessness rather than the actual craftsmanship of the bag. Naturally plenty of t-top bags have bit the dust due to shoddy zippers, but for you to encounter multiple instances of this is awfully rare.

I've been through many bags and all have functioned perfectly within the parameters GM intended them to perform under. I hope if you're able to come across a well-maintained, crisp t-top bag that you just might change your opinion.

JeremyNYR

iTrader: (2)

BirdsOfPrey, were you the original designer of the t-top bag?!? LOL, I've never seen someone defend a product as strongly as you have. My TA didn't come with a bag when i bought it and I'll be working on an upright storage system also.

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

I am too lazy to store my t-tops so I don't take them off anymore.

Nocturnall

I personally have no problem with the bag right now....I ran into a snag a yr ago when I put subs in the back but I just moved the clamps that were next to the hatch motor onto the back of the rear seat so you fold the seat down and secure the bag to that then your off, granted you can't fit many people in the car with the tops off but they're off, I get my subs and amp, all works good. Just use the bag, it's a lot better then any slot setup that could risk loosing a t-top.




Side Note...Always make sure to lock the t-tops when you put'em back on, they come off at 90 - 100mph on the highway and get good air, thank *** there wasn't a car behind me.

Jim Berry

Okay, now that the ttop's have a new storage place for quick removal, how do they react in a traffic accident?

Let's say your doing 45-50 mph on your favorite street and you happen to T-bone a Dodge Ram who ran a stop sign on your right side.

Here come to guinsu knives from the rear headed for the back of yours and the passengers heads. Shhwiiing!!

With the bag and provided storage lines/clips I guess they may tend to stay in place. I'll spend the couple of extra minutes and not loose my head.

Anyone crash tested this new storage location?

Jim.

DURTYBIRD

Probably not. Are you offering your car for services???

Jim Berry

My wife probably wishes I would.

Where u located? I just moved to Universal City. Still haven't found a group to meet with here in SA.

Jim.

DURTYBIRD

NW Side near Culebra/1604. Some 4th gen F-bods post up on CamaroZ28.com sometimes... I think they are putting a BBQ together for next weekend and did a dyno day several weeks back.

therckid

ummm guys what happened to the board, am the only person seeing it completely different boards? I think the new design is stupid and we should revert to the old one. What happened?



Shane

white91formula

iTrader: (4)

that is the aprils fools board, and should be alset by tomorow

4mul8r

Hmmm....crash safety....Didn't think of that one. The ttop bag is going to be safer. However, the upright storage solution was supposed to be designed for short trips as an alternative to throwing the tops in the back seat or on the back edge (which is really dangerous) So, having the upright storage is safer than noting at all.

92Transam

I always use the bags, with my driving I love to have them tightly secured down so when I go around a corner at high speeds or have to slam on the brakes I know my t tops are safe and are not going to come smashing into my head or passanger or break, Ive never had a problem with the bag sure it takes a minute or 2 more but to know they are safe and that I can drive as wild as I want without fear of them doing any damage to them selfs or me is assuring, both my trans ams had t top bags with the zippers and I love the bags unless I could build a case to go in the back that was molded to the tops with a locking top or bar system that would keep them from moving 100% then I will still used the t top bag and such a case would take up alot of space when the t top bag is out of the way when not being used. Just my 2 cents I love to see the ideas about storage but have yet to see one I like better than the bags so keep working guys.

9D1BURD

Take it from someone who owns both a third and a fourth gen. The third gen style is way easier to use.

And with the fourth gen setup, you lose whatever little storage space you may have had with the tops out.

My advice, use the bag, the 4th gen design is not all its cracked up to be.

BirdsofPray

Definitely nice to see some fellow admirers of the t-top bag. I had almost forgotten my vehement defense of it in this thread, slightly amusing to come back to it after a few months.

I mean, I really like the bag.

bewbies

I've been hoping for an upright thirdgen solution for a while now.. bleh. A 2x4??

I thought about it, and the thing with upright storage is that you can just drop it right in. I mean.. Now that summers here, I take the t-tops off every morning and put them on at night. The flimsy bag catches on the glass, drags all over the place.. can't get it in, and even when I do, the blasted zipper is screwed up. On top of that, some label in my bag came off and left a bunch of sticky sh*t! Grr! So I was thinking.. maybe make a hard horizontal enclosure that's hinged and padded. Like a clam-shell with a divider. You open it up, slide the tops in, and close it. I was thinking about this when I saw the pneumatic shocks keeping the hatch/hood open. Now if only I was some sort of craftsman..