When people say ttops with large pins are those only for 91-92 cars? thanks

 

I'd like to know this too. I've been a bit confused as to the years the large pin units were used. Also, whether it's possible to convert the small pin units to large pin, and what (if any) are the assets of the large pin t-tops?

-Paul

 

I cannot answer the question about what years had large pins.

But yes, it is possible to convert from one pin size to another. Not that hard, either.

 

Conversion is not required. The two are interchangeable. Once you see the pin in action close up you'll see the plastic pin stop once it's fully seated into the receiver and the inner metal rod continues forward to latch the t-top in place. The inner rod is the same diameter as the older style so as I wrote before, no "conversion" is necessary.

Lon

 

Cool, thanks Lon! That's kind of what it looked like to me when I took a (rather quick) look at the "large pin" t's on my '92 but I wasn't quite sure. So, what's the point of the plastic outer "pin"? Is it supposed to help stop squeaks/rattles, or what? Is the "large pin" a Lexan-only thing? My Driver's side t-top squeaks like crazy, but if I put slight upward or downward pressure on it, it completely shuts up. Do you suppose the plastic pin is squeaking against the plastic part of the latch on the car?

-Paul

 

My car originally gad the Lexan t's. They squeaked like crazy, and as you said, upward pressure would stop it. I tried smearing silicone grease on the pin components, and on the entire perimeter of the t-top where it fits into the roof. Still squeaked.

I finally converted to glass tops, and although they still squeak, it is far less.

I think subframe connectors help to eliminate these damn squeaks...that's my next step.

 

Yeah, I hoped my SFCs would help. I have UMI's welded in. I guess almost all of the Lexan tops squeak like crazy Funny part is the first few weeks after I put the car together it didn't squeak at all. I drove it to Virginia and back and I really didn't notice it squeaking at all. Now it practically squeaks sitting there at idle! LOL. I've been debating switching to glass t's myself. My Lexan ones are not in very pretty shape, but man I sure do like how light they are, and they don't leak a drop! Although they probably will after I replace my weatherstripping LOL.


-Paul

 

I figured that since I'm not a race car driver who needs to shed every possible pound, the extra weight of glass tops were fine by me.

One of the most frustrating experiences I had, though, was replacing my weatherstripping with brand new pieces, and then still having leaks. I spent literally HOURS with solvents and a toothbrush getting all the old nasty adhesive out of the weatherstripping channels, carefull installed the new stuff, and boingo, still have leaks.

I'd rather have a hardtop car sometimes.

 

i hear people ask if ttops are glass or not, i thought all of them were tempered glass. I have tops from an 87 and an 88 are they glass? thanks

 

Many/most are glass, but the standard equipment for the '91-'92 cars (and maybe '90?? not sure on that one) was Lexan. It's nice and light, but it didn't stand up to the UV (mine are all "crazed" with tiny cracks in the top surface) and it also tends (in my car anyway) to be noisier, since it's more flexible and lifts slightly at higher speeds.

-Paul

 

thanks for the info,