Well as some of you guys already know I switched my hatch from a Notchback to a normal hatchback. I defiantly am keeping the notch unless I got a REALLY good offer on it. But anyway, I got my new hatch installed and it looks great I just have to get it fully functional. Now, I am wondering about the defrost system, and the struts. The old struts from the notchback do not fit the new hatch. Now I am assuming that there are just additional parts I need to either go on the hatch itself, or the strut to fit on the hatch. Anyone know? Here are pics of the struts and the mount on the hatch. Now to the defroster. many people would say "Hey you live in Las Vegas, you dont need a defroster just cut the wires off!" But I already payed $700 getting the hatch sandblasted and painted, so I am NOT doing this half ***. I want it to look, and be exactly like it would have come from the factory. Now, I looked at the wires trying to figure out how the defroster would get it power. I came to the conclusion that there must be a harness that connects to the metal sensor looking thing in the middle, then runs to both ends of the defroster cables. Am I right? If anyone has the parts that Im missing please shoot me a PM. I am also looking for the tan trim pannel that goes on the underside of the hatch. Thanks Alot!!

well I was thinking some more, and I thin that's were the third brake light plugs in. No one knows anything?

I think, despite what some might say, they're a little upset about the whole losing of the notchback...it made me upset, but I also realize that it's your car and you should have it how you like it. As long as you keep the original hatch, it's un-doable and cool with me as such.

ANYHOO...on to your question. Yes, the center wiring on the hatch is for the third brake light. There's a coordinating hole in the sheet metal opposite that (or should be). So basically, you need an aero wing or pedestal spoiler and third-light housing, OR, you have to install a third-eye somewhere else depending on inspection laws in your state. Or you can weld up that hole and keep her bare on the back.

I can't help you on the hatch struts because I've never had to replace them, but it looks like the Notches used a hood-style hatch strut since it probably weighed the same and mounted the same as a hood. I would just invest in a pair of hatch struts from a standard GTA/TA/Bird and see what that gets you. Otherwise, you're putting a square peg in a round hole!! (Who ever thought we'd get to really use that in a literal sense?!)

Yeah that's what I was thinking as to why I was getting no responses. I did keep the notch and can put it back when ever I want to, I just didn't like the way it looked from the side, AND It would need at least $1000 in repairs before I would put it back on the car. The sun warped the fiberglass and ruined the paint on it. That is what pushed me to do it, If it was still in perfect condition then I probably would have left it. I do have the third brake light and a new fiberglass wrap around spoiler coming to me, so she wont be bare for long. Do you have any idea where the defroster plugs in? Thanks for your help so far.

Hey, no problem. That's what these forums are for, right??

The defroster actually plugs in through the hatch struts if I'm not mistaken. You can order hatch struts for with or without defroster. I'll have to double-check on Emma, but I'm pretty sure that's the case.

As for the notch, that's precisely why GM stopped putting them on. The fiberglass would warp and the paint would get all messed up. So they stopped using them. Now that fiberglass is used all the time, it would be much easier to do. Just that as few as were made, those who do own them get very upset when they're "molested".

So let me check when I can and I'll get back to you.

Thank you! I did some digging and I did find the defroster connections tucked under the interior panels.. I guess I am going to go to the Pontiac dealer here and see what we can do about the struts.

They MIGHT have them. You may be better off to go with Hawks or Rock Auto. If they DO have them, grab them! And grab me a set, too!!!

So these struts have a wire on them and you just connect the car on one end and the defroster on the glass to the other?

Not exactly. The current I think is just carried through the metal housing on the strut, but I'm not sure. Here's a couple pics of mine.

Back of the hatch...


Behind the seats...

On the strut themselfs, each end of the strut should have a tab to connect to(1 strut=2 tabs) one tab connects at the hatch and the other connects at the base of the trunk (down by the sail panel).....(2 struts=4 tabs= 4 wire connectors)....

Just worry about your car, never mind others opinions....

I don't think the lack of replies had anything to do with opinions. Fact of the matter is, I see more people dislike (or simply favor against) the Notchback appearance anyway. I think lack of responses was because there are few of these cars around and few people doing what you did. The hardware is slightly different between the cars.

I certainly did the exact same thing you did with one of my own Notchbacks several years ago because I actually prefer the standard GTA/Trans AM look and I had the same issue with one of my fiberglass decklids. I would have responded myself, as I know the struts are different between the two, but it had been so long I couldn't remember exactly the details. That, coupled with me rarely seeing my own Notchbacks in storage, meant I didn't have a lot to contribute (and still don't) at the time on the hardware subject.

If you have more questions, let us know.

Thanks alot for your help guys I really appreciate it. Thank you so much blg0720 for taking those pictures, I understand how everything goes together now. Now one last question, will the Hawks struts come with everything I need to connect the strut to the hatch? Will they come with the little tabs on them? I'm going to email them but for $110 a piece I would guess they would...

The wiring for the defroster hatch is dead simple, you could probably homebrew it simply enough if you can't find a donor car to pull the harness from.

My dad has a tan hatch trim panel, but it's been out in the weather for a while and would take some elbow grease to make presentable again. Would it be worth digging it out of the stack of rear hatches five deep? Shipping would probably be murder too since it's such a large part : /

I can certainly relate to liking one look over another even if your car came equipped with one of the rarer options. I got some flack for switching from the GTA wraparound spoiler to a standard TA whale tail :P