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1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

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Old May 10, 2012 | 12:46 PM
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Car: 1985 Firebird Trans Am
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1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

T-Tops look great, but when issues arise, no one will touch them in NJ. I just had the T-Tops Restored back to Original GM, New GM Center Bar, GM weathertipping around the body (New Revised Version) and T-Top on both side. New GM Drip moldings, the works.

Biggest Obstacle was Rust under the Center Bar and Weatherstrips. Jeff at East Coast T-Top is a Former Body and Paint guy, so no problem to fix and repair.

Car was in the shop for a week. If you have T-Top issues, go to East Coast T-Top in Bristol, PA, his expertise in T-Tops is amazing. Check out his site

http://www.eastcoastt-top.com/index.html

See some of the Pictures of the Rust on my 1985 Trans Am.

Note: I had the T-Top Center Bar that I bought years ago, so he used that one. The Center Bar is Discontinued and very hard to find. There are alot of used ones out there, eBay, just be careful what you buy.

Jeff at East Coast T-Top will use your Parts if GM, so that can save you some $$$$$$
Attached Thumbnails 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed-85ta-4.jpg   1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed-85ta-5.jpg   1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed-85ta-6.jpg  

Last edited by 1985blktransam; May 10, 2012 at 12:53 PM.
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Old May 10, 2012 | 12:52 PM
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Car: 1985 Firebird Trans Am
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Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: T-Top Restoration Completed

Here are some more pictures with Rust Cleaned up
Attached Thumbnails 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed-85ta-10.jpg   1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed-85ta-12.jpg   1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed-85ta-15.jpg  
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Old May 10, 2012 | 12:59 PM
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Re: T-Top Restoration Completed

Originally Posted by 1985blktransam
Here are some more pictures with Rust Cleaned up

looks great...i have the same problem..for that reason i dont take of the ttop..i luckily have the ttop bar row..i hope i dont have rust on the edges or under the weather stripping. if i do then i guess i might have to head over to PA
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Old May 10, 2012 | 01:08 PM
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

How much was it?
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Old May 10, 2012 | 02:38 PM
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

Well, it was not cheap by any means !! Like I said, there is no one who will touch T-Tops in my area, so it needed to be done. It was 2 Grand total and there for a week. Plus $400 for the Rent a car since Bristol was 2 Hours away from me.

Alot of man hours on the Rust, plus the GM parts. I had some of the parts, Center Bar and the weetherstrips that go around the car, but they were the 1st design, so no go.

He had the 2nd Design GM weatherstrips to prevent Leaking. When you change them, you also need to change the Weatherstrip in each T-Top as well, then the drip Molding,so it was quite involved. He also had to adjust the windows since they were too low and cause wind noise.

Mine was pretty bad, so I expected it to be pretty high. Not everyone will need all that work and will be less expensive
Attached Thumbnails 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed-85ta-16.jpg   1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed-85ta-17.jpg  
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Old Sep 1, 2014 | 08:54 PM
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

I wish there was a guy like this in Boston
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Old Sep 1, 2014 | 09:26 PM
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

Replaced bar or fixed? Where did you pick up the replacement if so?
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Old Sep 2, 2014 | 06:11 AM
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

hawksthirdgen has new 85-92 ttop bar
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Old Sep 2, 2014 | 12:45 PM
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

The Center bar I used was New GM that I bought years ago, GM Part 10092095. The Center T-Top had 2 designs, one with the T-Top Channels for 1982-1985 models and 2nd design for 1986 and newer. These are the GM Part Numbers if that helps. I converted to the 2nd Design since My 85 TA did have the Plastic Channels on them, purchased New T-Tops to go with the New Center Bar. It looks much cleaner with just the glass.


GM PART # 20192907 - Center Bar 1st Design forPlastic Channels
GM PART # 10092095 - Center Bar 2nd Design No PlasticChannels, just glass edges


You can still look for New GM, but very difficult to find. The other option is a good Used one which are plentiful, just ask many questions before you buy anything. I have heard good things about Hawks Center bar.

Hope this helps

Last edited by 1985blktransam; Sep 2, 2014 at 12:51 PM.
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Old Sep 21, 2014 | 06:17 PM
  #10  
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

I called that guy at east coast ttops and I am impressed. I will use him in a worse case scenario.
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Old Sep 21, 2014 | 06:42 PM
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Car: 1983 Pontiac Trans Am Daytona 500
Engine: Crossfire 305ci V8
Transmission: Jasper 700R4 4 speed Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.23 limited slip/posi
Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

Originally Posted by 1985blktransam
The Center bar I used was New GM that I bought years ago, GM Part 10092095. The Center T-Top had 2 designs, one with the T-Top Channels for 1982-1985 models and 2nd design for 1986 and newer. These are the GM Part Numbers if that helps. I converted to the 2nd Design since My 85 TA did have the Plastic Channels on them, purchased New T-Tops to go with the New Center Bar. It looks much cleaner with just the glass.


GM PART # 20192907 - Center Bar 1st Design forPlastic Channels
GM PART # 10092095 - Center Bar 2nd Design No PlasticChannels, just glass edges


You can still look for New GM, but very difficult to find. The other option is a good Used one which are plentiful, just ask many questions before you buy anything. I have heard good things about Hawks Center bar.

Hope this helps
Thanks I was told there is no difference between the two.
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Old Sep 22, 2014 | 04:18 PM
  #12  
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

Originally Posted by KITT1983
Thanks I was told there is no difference between the two.


do you have pics of both bars so we can compare?

my 92 bird came with lexan ttops. any chance my car has the 1st version of the ttop bar?
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Old Sep 22, 2014 | 04:30 PM
  #13  
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

i have glass ttops now.. they look look this:

i know i have to replace the weatherstripping, but i don't think that's the problem.... or maybe it is?
Attached Thumbnails 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed-20140922_172420-1-.jpg   1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed-20140922_172328-1-.jpg  
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Old Sep 24, 2014 | 11:05 AM
  #14  
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

He did a great job on that T-Top bar. Looks good!
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 04:48 PM
  #15  
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

That's awesome, I need to do the same thing.
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Old Apr 17, 2015 | 09:50 PM
  #16  
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

Anyone know where to get the two seals that are on both ends of the t-top bar underside that cover the holes?

Last edited by pir8fox; Apr 17, 2015 at 09:57 PM.
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Old Apr 17, 2015 | 09:56 PM
  #17  
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

Originally Posted by 1ATony
He did a great job on that T-Top bar. Looks good!
Where can I find the two seals that are on the underside of each end of the t-top bar?Bought new seal kit to replace the old ones and am replacing t-top bar due to rusty outside edge lips,discovered there were seals on the underside of each end of the t-top bar.Can I just use silicone sealant instead to make new seals?
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Old Apr 19, 2015 | 08:49 PM
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

Originally Posted by pir8fox
Where can I find the two seals that are on the underside of each end of the t-top bar?Bought new seal kit to replace the old ones and am replacing t-top bar due to rusty outside edge lips,discovered there were seals on the underside of each end of the t-top bar.Can I just use silicone sealant instead to make new seals?
Do you have any pictures of the area you are talking about?
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Old Apr 20, 2015 | 07:56 AM
  #19  
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

Do you need the seal that goes up the A-pillar under the T-top glass, and then back down the B-pillar ?
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Old Apr 26, 2015 | 07:50 AM
  #20  
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Car: 1983 Pontiac Trans Am Daytona 500
Engine: Crossfire 305ci V8
Transmission: Jasper 700R4 4 speed Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.23 limited slip/posi
Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

Originally Posted by 1ATony
Do you need the seal that goes up the A-pillar under the T-top glass, and then back down the B-pillar ?
got a photo ?
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Old Jul 12, 2018 | 06:46 PM
  #21  
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Axle/Gears: 3.23 limited slip/posi
Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

Any updates ?
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Old Jul 13, 2018 | 09:40 AM
  #22  
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Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

Does it still leak after all the work? I had my seals replaced years ago and they still leaked during heavy downpour.
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Old Sep 15, 2018 | 08:26 PM
  #23  
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Car: 1983 Pontiac Trans Am Daytona 500
Engine: Crossfire 305ci V8
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Axle/Gears: 3.23 limited slip/posi
Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

Originally Posted by 1985blktransam
T-Tops look great, but when issues arise, no one will touch them in NJ. I just had the T-Tops Restored back to Original GM, New GM Center Bar, GM weathertipping around the body (New Revised Version) and T-Top on both side. New GM Drip moldings, the works.

Biggest Obstacle was Rust under the Center Bar and Weatherstrips. Jeff at East Coast T-Top is a Former Body and Paint guy, so no problem to fix and repair.

Car was in the shop for a week. If you have T-Top issues, go to East Coast T-Top in Bristol, PA, his expertise in T-Tops is amazing. Check out his site

http://www.eastcoastt-top.com/index.html

See some of the Pictures of the Rust on my 1985 Trans Am.

Note: I had the T-Top Center Bar that I bought years ago, so he used that one. The Center Bar is Discontinued and very hard to find. There are alot of used ones out there, eBay, just be careful what you buy.

Jeff at East Coast T-Top will use your Parts if GM, so that can save you some $$$$$$
does it leak ?
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Old Sep 17, 2018 | 09:58 AM
  #24  
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Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

No leaks after the work was completed at East Coast T-Top in Bristol, PA. Was at the Carlisle show where it poured rain, my car was completely dry. My buddies in there 89 TTA had a lot of water leaks. Jeff at East Coast T-Tops is amazing. He installed the GM Second Design Rubber Stripping. He had the Last 2 in Stock when I had it done back in 2012.

http://www.eastcoastt-top.com/index.html

Since then, my buddy had his TTA done at East Coast T-Top and has no leaks as well.

Hope this helps
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Old May 1, 2021 | 01:16 AM
  #25  
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Axle/Gears: 3.23 limited slip/posi
Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed

It looks like I have to go to him


https://eastcoastt-top.com/t-top-service

Last edited by KITT1983; May 1, 2021 at 01:23 AM.
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