i just bought an 1988 Camaro IrocZ and the original owner lost the key to the T-tops. how can i go about getting a new 1 :x. I don't think a locksmith can make 1 without having the original or a copy of it. and atm i cant take the tops off w/o the key so i couldnt even bring the ttop in for a moulding.

Any ideas? i saw on ecklers i can buy new locks w/ keys but i don't wanna spend 54$ each when there may be another way.

Thanks,

Sean

p.s. if you got any ideas please say what it prolly would cost so i can weigh my options.

 

if there is a good locksmith in the area, they CAN make you a key without one to copy. I get it done all the time for the tow yard i work at.

 

watcha think it would cost for that since there aint no key. And would he have to like inspect the lock or something.

 

it depends, if those are the origional tops to the car they can cut a key from the vin number in about 5 seconds. we used to use a guy that would do a series of test fits and cuts and have a key in about 15 minutes. your in ny so i cant vouch for the cost, its usually about $50 for use, but we have used our locksmith for years. go down to a locksmith shop and see what they can do. you said you cant get the tops off to its going to be a royal P.I.T.A to get the locks out without damaging anything

 

i thought the ttops,trunk,doors and rear glove box had same key ? mine does...

 

normally they do, but if your like me, youve changed all those haha

 

the ttops arnt the originals.
the owner before me was dumb and forgot to lock ttops down 4-5 times causing him to need 4-5 new sets lol. and now this key for them are gone.

 

I see t-tops on craigslist constantly

 

Take the plastic cover off the inside of the t-top.
I think its only like 3 screws.
The locks pop right out, just a little clip holds them in there.

Then replace the locks or take to a locksmith to get a key cut.
(you could also just leave the locks out, you do not need the lock, then it is easy to get in your car when you lock the keys inside. )

 

ty
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i'l prolly just bring em to a locksmith and get keys made. definately gonna b cheaper than to buy the whole new locks ( 54$ each ttop on ecklers )

 

I just bought replacement t-tops for my 92 RS. Can i just pop out my original locks and replace the 'locked' ones on my 'new' t-tops?

Is it just this easy?

remove 3 screws
take off panel
pop clips
remove lock

 

I need to do this myself. Hate to have the tops blow off on the hwy, yet alone being stolen!

 

My drivers side is Lexan and is bowed in the middle. Its actually quieter at 75 mph with the tops out than it is with them in. My replacements are glass and don't have the million little starbursts like the pexiglass originals have. I can actually see thru them. lol

 

sadly thats what the last owner did with my camaro. he would step on the gas and the ttops would blow right off b/c he never locked them down. so now this is about the 4th pair on the car and i got no key to go to them

 

yea, its easy.

like lock the lever in place?!?! I barley ever use the key and lock and never had a problem.

 

Ok something I dont get here is them possibly blowing off, there is a lever that pretty much locks them in place and a key wich litterally locks them in place, there is no way that they can blow off driving down the highway if your levers are intact, and no one can simply break in and steal them if you have your doors locked, so if you can lock your doors, then I wouldnt worry about the t-top locks, theres no way someone can remove them and steal anything from there unless you keep your doors unlocked

 

last owner forgot to lock the lever a few times causing them to blow off.. he was an idiot basically

 

I locked my keys in the car a while back, i had push down the window a 1/2inch and slide my finger in there to unlatch the t-top. locks are good, one time i taped clothes-hangers and had to slid in through a lil opening from the window and used the clothes-hanger to puch the unlock button on the opposite side, power locks.

 

lol very innovative.

 

I did that once but I just used a wooden yardstick through the passenger window seal to push on the hatch release button.

Didn't even hurt the seal....

 

i had my t top keys made to match the ignition. i wanted all the locks th same and it wasnt cheap. if you dont care if the keys match pop you lock cylinders out like stated previoulsy. unscrew the plastic and there s a few screws and possibly a few pop rivets if i recall right. then theres the big spring type clip like the one that holds your door lock cylinder in place. as a matter of fact the cylinders are similiar. anyways once out you can then unlatch your t tops if you need to remove them since the ont be locked anymore. thennnnnnnnnnnnnn go to ebay,third gen ranch,etc and buy a replacement used set of t top locks fo rabout 10 bucks,get a spare key made at home depot for 2 bucks and you have locking t tops with keys!!!!!!!!

 

lol i jimmy'd the ttop locks w/ a screw driver last night and somehow they unlocked lol so now imma guess they're broken now but the lever still works. cant rly do much atm blizzard and it's stuck in the garage.

 

You guys make me skeered. I want to install the stereo in my truck, into my T/A. Time to shop for a car alarm

*edit* Pain generators FTW!!!

 

lawl

 

[quote=popballz;4365806]yea, its easy.



I did the steps but i have no idea where to find the clips. my lock is rivited in position and everything else is rock solid. I have some pics of the locks i'll try to post tomorrow.

Am I overlooking them?

 

[quote=Parmetta;4367443] i saw the same thing when i was trying to get my locks out. i jus ended up breaking the locks so now i can take ttops on and off and still have em in place via the lever. however i do probly plan on buying new ttops this spring most likely. they don't exactly match eachother >.>

 

[quote=Slash;4367466]How did you 'break' the locks. I hate to damage the new tops, they are in excellent condition. I really would like to use my current locks to keep the car as close to original as possible. It always seems to be something odd to deal with

Here are pics of my locks




Don't think the pics will work. This is a difficult forum to post. maybe easier to draw pictures than post.

 

hmm my ttop lock is very differently shaped then my other keyholes i mean it kinda goes like /\/\ and i doubt i can get one made, these are the original ttops in my 84 though, the vin was etched in the glass from either factory or dealer

 

Take the cylinders out, bring them to a locksmith and give him your door key. He can rekey the lock to that key. It should cost you 10 - 15 bucks per cylinder. Then you won't have 3 keys to your car.

 

how much would a new key be from say a dealer or a locksmith if i give him my vin?

 

But then it's easy for a thief to steal them

 

you forgot drill out the 2 rivots

 

So glad my sec Gen has no locks. Locks was a bad idea
I’d have a lock smith open the lock. AND NEVER USE.

 

finding a dealer that still has key blanks is the problem, all the dealers here threw everything old out.