merc3065

I have a request of any/all notchback owners with a digital camera.

I have a black notchback that I just finished changing the interior over to black from camel tan. The previous owner had replaced all the interior trim for whatever reason and the new stuff that was in there was not very clean or in good shape.

I have noticed that on the notchback there are some metal hooks on either side that cup the big torx bolt where the hatch shocks attatch to the body. Normal interior trim pieces will not fit without a lot of trimming in that one area.

Is if there are specific rear interior trim pieces that go underneath this extra bolt that is sticking out from either side and if someone could take a picture of the interior trim and their hatch. Also is there specific plastic bolt covers for that rear area as well?

Also, how is the rear defroster wiring run into the rear hatch glass? Does it just string up from the little opening underneath these torx bolts or does it come out of the upper headliner trim piece and down to the glass?

As well, what kind of hatch shocks do you guys use as I can't seem to find the proper model that will fit the little ball pegs that come out of the side of the hatch...

{TKM}Tom

well for your hatch shocks just to to auto zone or whaterver you have out there in your area and tell them what make model a year you have just bought two for my car and for the wires for you rear defrost you wire comes out of the interior where the bolt is for the shock there should be a little slice in it for the wire to fit threw. not sure if you know or not but the wire should connect to the lower of the shock then another wire comes out of the top of the shock to your defrost


hope this helped some

merc3065

That helps for the standard glass rear hatch, not the fiberglass notchback...

I know what you're talking about with the hatch shocks where the wire connects from the back end of the shock, then a wire goes from that to the defrost on the glass. Thats where the notchback is different. you'd need a 3-4ft wire to go from the end of the shock back up to the glass panel to where the defroster is.

Also I will have to take the hatch shock in to the partsource or NAPA place here and see if they can find something that will fit. Just curious to know if anyone had a specific part number or model number for strongarm or any other shock/strut manufacturer. GM doesn't have the struts that im looking for for the notchback as they don't even have half the parts im looking for for this car...

Helpful yes, but not for this application unfortunately

{TKM}Tom

im sorry but what do you mean by notch back do you have a pic

luvofjah

iTrader: (2)

I'm a little confused by the question, if you're talking about where the sturts mount to the body...

If you don't have the factory piece, another person on here used 2 pieces of metal a straight one that went down a couple of inches from the original mount (with a hole in it and bolt going through the original location, and the other piece (an L brakcet) further down, using the metal base of the original mount to keep it in place) with a nut welded to it... the strut mounted to the bottom with the strut mounted to it...

It has to moung lower than the stock location, or it will break / not close.

Rafael

PS-Notchback see my sig!

scooter

iTrader: (11)

I too would like to see interior pictures from a factory notch around the strut area. I think I asked a while ago but no one ever responded. Here is to finding a notch owner that can help us!

luvofjah

iTrader: (2)

Pic from blkdth87...
This is what I explained to do if you do not have the factory piece.. a straight piece that bolts to the stock location, extends it down, and uses an L bracket (welded behind it to keep it from moving).

scooter

iTrader: (11)

I didnt think your car was a factory notch. I have the factory brackets like you made. I am curious as to what the plastic panels look like though

merc3065

Gives me an idea of what you have done with your interior pieces.

The chassis/hatch is factory and has the factory brackets for it to line up. From the pic I can see that you hook up the wires for defroster directly to the hatch strut. So that answers one question at least.

And from the pic I can also see how you've trimmed the plastic around where the brackets pop out of the frame pretty much how i've done it, but I think I may have to trim more to get a better fit.

When I bought the car it didnt have the original interior plastics at all so...

What about the hatch struts themselves...
The factory notchbacks have the 2 bolt thing on the body (one for the hatch to bolt to, the other for the notch to hook onto when closed.) The end that attatches to the hatch on these original ones are like a ball and clip that hooks over a small ball bolt that is mounted in the hatch. This holds the strut end to the hatch. Does anyone have a model number or brand that makes this kind of hatch strut?

I'll get some pictures tomorrow of what im talking about before the car goes in for exhaust...

luvofjah

iTrader: (2)

I can say that the pic I posted uses stock (not oem notchback) struts... There is another fab on the notch to bolt them there too...

I have no clue what the factory original sturts / mounts (on the car) look like...
Mine has the ball end on the notch, as you mentioned.

Do you have the factory notchback, or aftermarket?

Rafael

{TKM}Tom

ok let my try and answer your question again


this is for a 84 Trans AM not sure what years are compatible with what


all part are factory except for the shock arms


where the shock arm connects to body


where the shock arm connects to the hatch


the shock arms of course i painted them lol



i bought two different brands
1.Strong Arm part #4900
2.Mighty Lift part #A95024

hope this helps you some

luvofjah

iTrader: (2)

With the 88 oem nothcback, both mounting points are different...
On the back end of the notchback itself, it's really different, has some kinda ball joint...

Raf