ConvertiblesDiscussed here are problems and solutions to convertible specific questions, including difficult to find part numbers and other convertible tech help.
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Originally posted by rad8tion I put on a robins top. very hi quality and it only took a long afternoon. Not bad for the 500 people around here wanted to put it on.
Any questions ask
it isnt hard
Ryan
I put a Robbins top many years back on my '65 Le Mans. Outstanding quality, very heavy weight vinyl. It even had the provision for the 'zippered' rear window which, unfortunately, our 3rd gens. do not have.
__________________ Jerry O.
1990 IROC Convertible
305 TPI M5 Option level #3, H&R sport springs, KYB AGX's, TDS/Alston SFC's
There is a quote for a glass rear window at the top here. Has anyone seen this done?? I was always told that because of the fold in the middle of the window, we can't do that. Mine does fold right in the middle, so obviously glass wouldn't work.
Originally posted by crnsuperduty There is a quote for a glass rear window at the top here. Has anyone seen this done?? I was always told that because of the fold in the middle of the window, we can't do that. Mine does fold right in the middle, so obviously glass wouldn't work.
the glass is narrower..... IE the window isnt as tall as the plastic..
it then folds just above and just below the window... the window itself never folds.
How close to cloth is Stayfast? I'm gonna need a new top this summer, so I will be seriously hunting with both fingers crossed. My budget being tight is an understatement!
Originally posted by Bill Speed How close to cloth is Stayfast? I'm gonna need a new top this summer, so I will be seriously hunting with both fingers crossed. My budget being tight is an understatement!
-B
Stayfast is the name of the same, high quality stuff, as the orignal canvas (aka cloth) top
Originally my back seal (top to frame seam) came unglued, I'm told from shrinking, due to water, which I find strange, but also see this happening on another convertible (Camaro) in town, must be somewhat common. To my knowledge, having had the car when low miles, my top is original. It also suffered from snow and ice on the back window causing a brittle crack and then becoming too large to tape, I used clear vinyl on the inside for a second layer... to ebate immediate replacement, it has worked quite well. I never would have expected. Also below the tonneau cover, I keep towel and or chammois for any leaks, also does the job needed on a budget.
my top wasn't in bad shape but the linkage rubbed through in one spot on both sides. do any of these tops compensate for that with padding? and no ,i refuse to "just leave the top up".what's the point of having a convertible if you don't put the top down? ideas/input ,guys?
By linkage... are you referring to the folding parts on either side of the sail panels?
I had a bolt break just behind the top pass window portion...this was a bit of a hassle, but my mech tackled it with aplumb. I needed a special order via Chev dealership though IIRC
I have a pic of the area:
My top is stuck up as the trunk got hit..damn, eh?!?
Bill
I think I posted these here before but wasn't this board revamped and lost the old stuff? Seems page light where I've been
haha
Here's the front locking portion...with the flimsy plastic trim!
My inner plastic 'catch' sheet has holes and cracks now. The car WAS/IS covered but the snow rain predicted never happened...Yet. It's damn cold here though...fun working weather. The holes in the pass. sail panel area were patched up when purchased but they came off. Believe it or not, it never leaked in there too much. Problem area is around the trunk lid somewhere...appears to be the middle...and the left and right side near the front latches...where the top seam/ weatherstrip meets the bodywork/windshield.
This is a major problem during most and all rain events. It builds up in the center of the top and leaks down both sides... most notebly when clearing the collected water!
I would like to hear of similar experiences with verts. I had trouble with poor sunroof weatherstrip leaks too, but unlike my mom, who would swear off them, I love 'em to death! I'd take the opportunity to throw a factory one in my new Deville but it is not cost effective nor easy. It's a sim-con top! There is one example of a 87/88 Deville coupe as an actual 'vert! I was astounded at this find too. Lotsa oddball stuff out there
Bill
Last edited by Bill Speed; 11-24-2004 at 10:54 AM.
i'm ordering my EZ top this weekend. stay fast with glass. i'll let y'all know how it turns out. i think i'm having a shop put it on b/c i dont want to screw anything up
well some a-hole just knifed my top this past saturday, and stole my radio out of her... so I need to know how hard it is to get a new top put on, if I were to do it myself with say a stayfast and glass back window.. any info is a help. thanks.
-steve
I purchased a top from topsonline , seems to be the best deal. The top was 423.00 w/ Stayfast and the glass rear window vs. 679.00 from Robbins. It took about 2 weeks to get it but it arrived unhurt and was very well packaged. I'm happy.
I purchased a top from topsonline , seems to be the best deal. The top was 423.00 w/ Stayfast and the glass rear window vs. 679.00 from Robbins. It took about 2 weeks to get it but it arrived unhurt and was very well packaged. I'm happy.
How does it fold down? Easy enough? Did you resue your old weather striping?
Yes, this is the new top (has the glass window). please NOTE: youhave to fold the rear seats down in order to put the top up or down. If you don't do that, then you will risk cracking the glass window. Once the rear seats are folded down it's as simple as pie...VERY EASY to do. sometimes you gotta give it a little bit of help getting the rear portion of the top down into it's compartment when you're putting it down, but like i said it's really easy. and yes, i reused the old weather stripping, i plan to buy new stuff once hawks gets the pieces that i need. currently they dont carry thepiece that i'm in need of
So if the top is down, you cannot have passengers in the back seat?
No, i should had worded that differently lol. You must only have the seats folded down while you're in the process of putting the top up or down. Once it's in place (either up or down) you can put the seats back up. It's just a matter of the rear part of the top not being able to move freely because the top of the rear seats are blocking it's path. sorry i hope that makes more sense...
how much of a difference is the top with a glass window compared to a plastic window as far as being able to see out the back? i know that the glass window is smaller but is it a big difference going from the plastic window to the glass window?
i need a new top to there is a crack in the plastic and has this rust crap from whre the top rubs onto the plastic when folded down...so the best price and quality would be topsonline, with stayfast and glass window? because i really want to get rid of the plastic, how much was it to get it installed bluezee28?
how much of a difference is the top with a glass window compared to a plastic window as far as being able to see out the back? i know that the glass window is smaller but is it a big difference going from the plastic window to the glass window?
With the top up, and looking in the rear view mirror, you will only be able to see MAYBE 1/2" of the top itself around the window. So 99% of your view will be through the glass. So basically, there's a small change in size but nothing too noticable that will hurt your driving ability.
I have had the topsonline stayfast with glass rear installed on mine since about 2001 or so. never had any problems and never had to worry about folding down the rear seats. I originally planned on wiring up a rear defrost but i went to college instead and put the car on hold. Hopefully soon i will have it done and let you know how it works.
Re: Sticky: Where can I get a New Convertible Top?
When you buy a new top, does it come with just the cloth top or does it come with all new hardware, latches, etc... ? If it doesn't come with new latches/hardware and stuff, where can I get that stuff from?
Re: Sticky: Where can I get a New Convertible Top?
Quote:
Originally Posted by travisnd
When you buy a new top, does it come with just the cloth top or does it come with all new hardware, latches, etc... ? If it doesn't come with new latches/hardware and stuff, where can I get that stuff from?
Mine came with just the material, no hardware. I don't know where you can get it all as a package deal. Your best bet on hardware and such is going to be a junk yard or parts car.
Re: Sticky: Where can I get a New Convertible Top?
Quote:
Originally Posted by 92rsconvertable
I have had the topsonline stayfast with glass rear installed on mine since about 2001 or so. never had any problems and never had to worry about folding down the rear seats. I originally planned on wiring up a rear defrost but i went to college instead and put the car on hold. Hopefully soon i will have it done and let you know how it works.
Did you ever try to install a defrost on the window? Is there a kit that can be installed on the window ?
Re: Sticky: Where can I get a New Convertible Top?
Has anyone seen a top from autotops.net the webpage with the firebirds are located at http://www.autotops.net/EBAY%20PAGES...ontiacpage.htm I am going to have to replace my top soon and wanted to know if anyone had tried this company. They are only asking $401 for a stayfast top with tinted glass back window, which is cheaper than other companies I have been able to locate. It's up to $425 for topsonline not the $399 this page lists.
Re: Sticky: Where can I get a new convertible top?
I doubt anyone, a Good upholstery shop should be able to make you a new one if you have one on there to copy... Its no different than seat covers, just different material...
John
__________________ 87 FORMULA - 5.1 LB9/A4 T-tops 3.73 Modified (Yellow/Black)
87 FORMULA - 5.0 LB9/M5 T-tops 3.45 (Yellow/Gray)
89 FORMULA 350 - CONVERTIBLE 3.27 All original (Red/Gray) www.3rdgenformula.com
Re: Sticky: Where can I get a New Convertible Top?
BlueZee28: It's been a couple years since you've installed the topsonline vert top. How's it holding up? Has the glass been scratched or damaged? Are you still satisfied with it? I'm wanting a new top and I would like to go with the glass, but the top shops around here are trying to discourage the use of a glass window top, they say the glass gets scratched or damaged easily.
Re: Sticky: Where can I get a New Convertible Top?
Quote:
Originally Posted by 88GTAvert
BlueZee28: It's been a couple years since you've installed the topsonline vert top. How's it holding up? Has the glass been scratched or damaged? Are you still satisfied with it? I'm wanting a new top and I would like to go with the glass, but the top shops around here are trying to discourage the use of a glass window top, they say the glass gets scratched or damaged easily.
Yea it's been a few years since I had it installed and it still looks brand new. I don't know why a shop would say glass would stretch? It can be broken easily if not operated correctly, like how myself and others have explained in various threads in this forum. But if you take our advice when opening and closing the top you will be just fine.
I still recommend the glass window StayFast top. I will support it till the day I die. It's a great piece and well worth the (relatively low) cost.
Re: Sticky: Where can I get a New Convertible Top?
Well, I read this sticky through and went with the topsonline.com stayfast with the glass window recommended by bluezee28. What a great top! High quality, great fit, and great view through that back window. It's the top I recommend now also.
__________________ JohnnyT
1992 Z28 Convertible, 5 - speed
LB9/M5, 38,674 miles when purchased
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1996 SS SLP #0120, 6-speed, LT1/M6, Black, 133K miles FOR SALE $3900
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1986 Monte Carlo SS, Street/Strip, LT1, 4L60e
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1977 Malibu Classic, 101K miles, 305 auto
Re: Sticky: Where can I get a New Convertible Top?
does anyone know the technical name for the plastic piece that goes around the convertible top, right next to the latches to roll down the top its u shaped.....and where can i find it???thanks!!!
topsonline is the best deal out there! 
It can be broken easily if not operated correctly, like how myself and others have explained in various threads in this forum. But if you take our advice when opening and closing the top you will be just fine.
-Mitch
