I went to a body shop who specializes in custom work. I requested a quote on a conversion from a t-top to a HARD-TOP. The bodyman had never had such a request before. Anyone out there either heard of it, tried it or contemplating it ?

It can't be all that difficult (although the bodyshop guy sure groaned over the idea). Find a hardtop and weld it in ? Ok, I'm not a body guy so what do I know.

Any ideas ? Comments ?

Thx, RP.

 

Whats wrong with your t-tops?

 

Yeah really? If they leak a little they can be adjusted.

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1992 Camaro Z-28 custom 25th anniversary, 5.7 TPI auto, 2.73 posi, t-tops, arctic white with 92' medium mettalic gray stripes with black border stripe.

1967 Pontiac Catalina 2 door fastback, 400 v-8, auto, cameo white, dark red interior

1987 Olds Cutlass, 350 Rocket, auto, dark gray/light gray interior

 

My t-roofs are pretty good actually. I have the Lexan type that weigh in at about 3 lbs apiece. They are darker and cut out more light too which works for me....

I was considering a hard-top because the car creaks so much. It doesn't leak by the way -- it used to but I tracked these down and using my trusty black gasket goop fixed the 'holes'.

This is my third 3rd gen car and I swore I would never get a t-roof car again because the body moves so much. Especially after you add power, look out the windshield may come loose, b-panels crease, and the dash creaks... especially after I dial up my KYBs.

So I figured I would either a) get a good set of sub-frames or b) have a hard-top welded in.

Your thoughts ?

RP.

 

Just get a set of sub frame connectors.

 

Well I'm glad you brought up the sub-frames. I was looking at a set from Edelbrock, then another set from Jamex, yet another from Global West. I have no idea what is the best brand for these cars ? Have any of you guys installed sub-frames connectors ? Did they make the t-tops and dash stop creaking ?

thx.

 

The Spohn ones are the best I have ever seen.

 

Yeah dude, SFCs are the way to go. You'll pay thousands to get your car converted to a hardtop, and it still won't be as strong as an original hard top. SFCs will make a much bigger difference.

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The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
Custom Thirdgen Subwoofer Enclosures
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

 

RP, go with SFC's.

To convert a top, i've replaced a t-top roof on a car that got flattened by a tree, you need to esentially take the car apart.
windshield out
Interior out
doors off
hood off
fenders off
dash out
hatch off

The only way to do it is have a used roof that was cut off correctly.

This is to do it right. At the factory seams/welds. I'm sure a hard top could be welded on over your t-top roof, but it would do nothing for stuctural srength, and quite pointless.

Hard tops without SFC's creek a lot too, but corner better than t-top cars. SFC's are pretty much mandatory with cars our age, but especially t-top cars. SFC's will cure a lot of understeer. It will feel like a new car.

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Kenney
82 Trans Am WS7 notchback
83 Trans Am WS6 T-tops
Painter @ Chevy dealer
GM junkie

 

i second that

 

I second the SFC's from Spohn,I got them and they are great.

 

I was going to go with south side Machine SFC's until I saw the spohn version of them. They make a lot more sense because they are built in a t-shape. They connect to the center of the car too. That means more stability.

 

Another reason for creaks, and groans from your body. Is, believe it or not! Loose door hinges. Once the doors of Third gen F body cars are closed. They become a significant body stiffener. If you don't believe it. Drive your car slowly over a speed bump with both doors open. After I did my hinges. Much of the body noise stopped. Also my T tops stopped leaking when parked.

 

I had it with them too ................ so I bought a Hardtop this time

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1987 GTA L98 MD8
355, TFS Heads, LT4 Hot Cam
My GTA

The Minnesota F-body Club

[This message has been edited by Matt87GTA (edited October 16, 2001).]

 

The problem with basically every hard top I have seen is that nice little crack right along the upper back part along the roof. All the hrd tops i have seen have tha tnice little crack

 

Mine only has that crack on the driver side and it is less than 1/2 an inch long................ for now

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1987 GTA L98 MD8
355, TFS Heads, LT4 Hot Cam
My GTA

The Minnesota F-body Club

[This message has been edited by Matt87GTA (edited October 16, 2001).]