chesee48

Are all third-gen t-tops the same and will fit in any car?
as far as the years go and from camaro to firebird?
I just know i have a set of third gen ttops and someone was looking to buy them.

I'm just fimilar with the 4th gen, so i wasnt
exactly sure bout the 3rd gen..

thanks guys!

okfoz

THere are a couple different styles:
FACTORY
82-83 Hook type Possibly 84 as well
84-92 Pin type (all are interchangale)

AFTERMARKET
82-92 C&C style, they are about 2 inches shorter front to back.

The easiest way to tell is if you look at the "A" pillar and then the strip of metal between the windshield and T-top glass, if it about the same then they are the Stockers, if the metal between the Windshield and T-top is about twice the "A" pillar width then you have the C&C or aftermarket tops.

John

little P

I just bought a new t-top, noticed during my search that yes the only difference is the hook vs the pin, (I needed pin) However, Some of them had a different tint or blackout strip around the edge of the inside.

chesee48

Thanks guys! :lala:

vernw

iTrader: (2)

It was my understanding that there are actually 3 different styles - I thought there were 2 different pin sizes with the later years having the larger pins...

SpeedCat86

I think you're right. I was at the U-Wrench-it, looking for some side-rails for a soft-top project I wanted to try.. The only t-tops I found were off of a '91-92 Firebird, which use a much larger (about 3/4") pin than my '86 (about 3/8") I don't know what the year break is (somewhere between '86 and '91) but there is a difference.

little P

I had lexan tops, Hated em, they had the big pin, Both my new ones are glass with the small pin, They take some extra pressure to latch but fit very tight, no problem.

oh yeah one had a key lock and one didn't...

okfoz

THe larger pin on the Acrylic tops are actually spring loaded. On the set I have I can push in the outer sheath and the normal size pin is inside.

As for the different trims, YES that is true, there were 2 places that the tops were made.

SAFTEY-FLO-LITE had a single strip across on the outside of the top.

PPG were boxed in.

I have a set from my 83 (both hook style) and I have one of each.

BUT they are interchangable on a car...

John

Here is a PPG top, notice the black edge on the front and back of the glass:

okfoz

And here is the SAFTEY-FLO-LITE top, notice how th blackout is only on the outside edge. In my personal opinion this is a better design. When you get moisture building up under the tops by the center bar, this would allow sunlight to bake it off, and reduce rusting problems.

John