Mods: Wasn't sure if this thread should go in Body or Interior. Sorry if it's the wrong one.

I bought a set of T-tops from the junkyard about a week ago. Driver side came from an 84 camaro and Passenger from a 91 Formula (both glass). The passenger side is a picture-perfect fit but the driver side is a bit off and scratched some, but overall in good shape.

I tried to get both Driver and Passenger sides off the Formula, but the Driver was locked. It, too, was in excellent shape, but I didn't know how to pick the lock. Should I learn to pick the lock on the junk car or restore the T-top I have now? Thanks in advance to all replies.

 

If the t-top is already off the car then you can just pull the cover and remove the cylinder, its just held in by a clip

Otherwise picking the lock is no different than your door lock

 

Id make sure you have matching tops first.I think the 84's still had the hook latches whereas the 91 are the large pins

 

I'd search the car real good for keys, all the cars at the JY around here have the keys in the ignition or on the floor somewhere. try a worn down gm door key if you cant find one, thats what one of my friends has to do on his formula to unlock/lock the tops.

 

It's still locked in place on the car. Can I still pop out the cylinder even if it's locked in place? I have my old set of t-tops in my room that I can use as a reference point for popping off the cylinder.

the 84 t-top has a lock cylinder. May not be the original top to that car, though.

 

my 84 has pins...
I think the best way to get it off would be to pull the a pillar out and the headliner down and just unbolt the mounting hardware from the car. then you can take all the time you want getting the lock cylinder out. either picking it or taking it all apart...

 

I removed the B-pillar hardware and got the t-top off today (also scored a dash pad for 10 bucks )

Where exactly is the clip for the cylinder? I've been fooling with it a little and not sure if its the "C" style piece holding the cylinder on the underside of the metal square or its on the cylinder itself. I"ll keep messing with a little more and see if it can figure it out.

EDIT: I found the C clips that hold the cylinder and metal piece together. All is well with the exception of a few adjustments needed to be made on my car. Thanks for everyone's help!

 

um, dont know if anyone else has had this, but I bought some tops from a local guy, he had no keys, and my gm door lock key works on them, just have to move they key around a bit, then it work, hope this helps ye.

 

Looks like a lot of people have had luck with worn out keys. it might be worth a try to use old GM keys on those tops. My 87 camaro key unlocks my 84 Trans Am door. I tried it one day when the keys got locked in the TA...while it was running...

 

OK.....comming to your house with my keys now, say bye to your TA

 

LOL

 

I may have to find a more worn out key than my own. That would save me alot of time/money to just used one of those. Thanks for the tip.

 

Try getting a blank or an old key that you don't need and grind it down.