ANY t-tops from 82-92 F-bodies will fit correct? I'm looking to switch over to glass, but on some of the ads, they say "hook style" so I was just wondering before I pull the trigger.

 

Yes, I've swapped em all from Firebird to Firebird. The only difference is the camaro's which are plastic or lexan or something. They still fit the same though. I dont know what hook style is.???

 

Yeah, I thought up to 87 all F-bodies were glass then they went to Lexan.

 

Hook-style is the part that secures the top into the roof when you close the handle. There are hook-style fasteners and pin-style fasteners. Size-wise, they might all swap, but style- and trim-wise, I don't think they will.

The hook-style fits the earlier thirdgens, and later thirdgens, like my '87, got the pin-style. Although FirehawkSS has apparently swapped with success, you might research this a bit more before you try it.

 

I pulled some t-tops off of an '87 Forumula and put them on my '91 Bird (I had the Lexan tops) and they went on fine, without at hitch and didn't leak. However, it was rather difficult to stick my lexan tops back on that formula.

 

There are actually THREE different mounting set ups on T-Tops:

Hook-Latch
Smaill pin
Large pin (1/2 inch or so - maybe larger - diameter)

Someone once told me the small and large pin are the same, but I don't think so. If you're buying off eBay or on-line somewhere, have them take a pic of the latching mechanism with a ruller next to it and then compare it to yours.

I found out about the latch style the hard way. They're still sitting in my garage.....

 

My 90 camaro has the original glass tops with what looks like the large pins. So not all 87 on up cars had lexan.

 

My mid 80s small pin camaro t-tops, 86 trans am small pin t-top, and 89 firebird large pin lexan t-top ALL fit on my 89 firebird without issues.

 

What was the last year for glass. . . 87?

 

The small and large pin are the same. I've got a mismatched set on my Camaro, one side has a small pin, the other the large pin. Both fit into those little holes just fine.

 

Thats strange how they can fit even when theyre mismatched and all. Anyways I think that lexan tops were an option in the later years but not required. All the RS's and some other later year Z28/Irocs I've seen had the glass tops.

 

I swapped large pin style into my 82 trans am. All you have to do is get the brackets off of the donor car. Pin style works WAAAYYY better than hook style, imho. I can't believe I never swapped before this, but I am extremely happy.

Just as an idea how secure it is vs hook style. My hook tops would lift from the t-bar at speeds of 70 or more, and scare the crap out of me. The hooks held it on, but the glass was lifting and slapping in the wind.

I didn't even tighten the bolts of the pin style. (the bolts of the pillar mounted brackets, I mean) As soon as I engauged the handle, it was sealed. There was no leak, I couldn't wiggle the top, and It was very secure.

I later tightened the brackets, but with pin vs hook the difference is night and day. I am glad I switched.

 

you should be able to remove your old mechanism and bolt them up to your replacements, if it comes down to it.

 

The hook style was only used in 82 and 83. I just bought a set of latches and trim from an '84 to convert my '83 over to the later style. It's hard to find a mint set of hook style t-tops because they only made them for 2 years, and they're the oldest ones so they've been exposed to damage for the longest time.

 

My 92 RS just went to glass tops from a 91 Z on Saturday. I found the glass tops had a gasket 1/2 inch shorter than the original 92 lexans. I noticed new wind noise on the ride home from picking them up. I switched the gasket and drip edge from the lexans to the glass and the fit is perfect. Anyone know if GM or the aftermarket carries the drip edge?

 

My 91 has the factory large pin glass tops as well.