1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 157
Likes: 3
From: Northern New Jersey
Car: 1985 Firebird Trans Am
Engine: 5.0 Liter Engine
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08
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 $$$$$$
Biggest Obstacle was Rust under the Center Bar and Weatherstrips. Jeff at East Coast T-Top is a Former Body and Paint guy, so no problem to fix and repair.
Car was in the shop for a week. If you have T-Top issues, go to East Coast T-Top in Bristol, PA, his expertise in T-Tops is amazing. Check out his site
http://www.eastcoastt-top.com/index.html
See some of the Pictures of the Rust on my 1985 Trans Am.
Note: I had the T-Top Center Bar that I bought years ago, so he used that one. The Center Bar is Discontinued and very hard to find. There are alot of used ones out there, eBay, just be careful what you buy.
Jeff at East Coast T-Top will use your Parts if GM, so that can save you some $$$$$$
Last edited by 1985blktransam; May 10, 2012 at 12:53 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 157
Likes: 3
From: Northern New Jersey
Car: 1985 Firebird Trans Am
Engine: 5.0 Liter Engine
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: T-Top Restoration Completed
Here are some more pictures with Rust Cleaned up
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 205
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From: New Jersey
Car: 1986 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: LG4 305/V8
Transmission: 700r4
Re: T-Top Restoration Completed
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
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 9,937
Likes: 636
From: Chicagoland
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed
How much was it?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 157
Likes: 3
From: Northern New Jersey
Car: 1985 Firebird Trans Am
Engine: 5.0 Liter Engine
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08
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
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
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 20
From: Boston, MA
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
I wish there was a guy like this in Boston
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 20
From: Boston, MA
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
hawksthirdgen has new 85-92 ttop bar
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 157
Likes: 3
From: Northern New Jersey
Car: 1985 Firebird Trans Am
Engine: 5.0 Liter Engine
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08
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
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.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 20
From: Boston, MA
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
I called that guy at east coast ttops and I am impressed. I will use him in a worse case scenario.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 20
From: Boston, MA
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
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
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
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 72
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From: Puerto Rico 00725
Car: 1992 W68 Firebird
Engine: 305 5.0L V8 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Puerto Rico 00725
Car: 1992 W68 Firebird
Engine: 305 5.0L V8 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
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?
i know i have to replace the weatherstripping, but i don't think that's the problem.... or maybe it is?
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed
That's awesome, I need to do the same thing.
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5
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From: Grand Rapids,MI.
Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 4 speed auto
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt posi
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids,MI.
Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 4 speed auto
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt posi
Re: 1985 Trans Am T-Top Restoration Completed
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?
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 20
From: Boston, MA
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
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?
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 20
From: Boston, MA
Car: 1983 Pontiac Trans Am Daytona 500
Engine: Crossfire 305ci V8
Transmission: Jasper 700R4 4 speed Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.23 limited slip/posi
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 20
From: Boston, MA
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
Any updates ?
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 330
Likes: 1
From: Duluth, Ga
Car: 91 RS
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Auburn Pro / 3.42
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.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 20
From: Boston, MA
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
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 $$$$$$
Biggest Obstacle was Rust under the Center Bar and Weatherstrips. Jeff at East Coast T-Top is a Former Body and Paint guy, so no problem to fix and repair.
Car was in the shop for a week. If you have T-Top issues, go to East Coast T-Top in Bristol, PA, his expertise in T-Tops is amazing. Check out his site
http://www.eastcoastt-top.com/index.html
See some of the Pictures of the Rust on my 1985 Trans Am.
Note: I had the T-Top Center Bar that I bought years ago, so he used that one. The Center Bar is Discontinued and very hard to find. There are alot of used ones out there, eBay, just be careful what you buy.
Jeff at East Coast T-Top will use your Parts if GM, so that can save you some $$$$$$
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 157
Likes: 3
From: Northern New Jersey
Car: 1985 Firebird Trans Am
Engine: 5.0 Liter Engine
Transmission: 700R4
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
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
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 20
From: Boston, MA
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
It looks like I have to go to him
https://eastcoastt-top.com/t-top-service
https://eastcoastt-top.com/t-top-service
Last edited by KITT1983; May 1, 2021 at 01:23 AM.
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