Kinda long story so you know where I am at. Prior (short term) owner of my 88 never had a door key for my car. I removed a cylinder from one of the doors and had a key made. Works in the doors and hatch but not the T-tops (which are locked) . I ASSUME that originally it came with two keys, one for the ignition and one for everything else and want to get it back that way.
Does anyone offer a replacement lock set for the t-top cars that has all the required cylinders to change the ENTIRE car over to two keys? Door, hatch and T-top cylinders? Been looking and only finding 3 piece sets and t-top sets separate.

Thanks in advance!

 

Take the lock cylinders from the ttops to your locksmith. If your locksmith's place of business looks like any business you'd find in a mall, find a new locksmith. When you find the one with the half crazy, wild eyed, mad scientist looking character, maybe wearing a funny hat, or with a handlebar mustache, maybe an eye patch....... You've come to the right place.

A locksmith. A smither of locks... Can change out the tumblers and make the T-tops match the rest of the car.

I'm only half joking. My favorite locksmith shared a storefront with a dog groomer.

 

Thanks Drew, yes I use a real locksmith. I suppose it's in the how too section but how do I get the locked lock cylinders out of the Ttops without destroying them?

 

Oooh, they're locked? I'd try picking them. Stop laughing. If the t-top locks are like the glove box lock, and other auxiliary locks, they don't have as many tumblers as a door lock anyway. Watch a video or two on Youtube, and give it a go.

It's been awhile since I've looked closely, but you might be able to remove the covers over the T-top mechanisms and gain access that way. I want to say the locks are just pop riveted to the T-top, but you might even be able to just pry the clip off the lock shaft, and remove the pawl.

 

When the Tops are locked in place and there's no key you've got to bust the plastic covers to gain access to the locks because the T-Top locking rod pokes thru the plastic covers at each end.


IMO busting the plastic trim covers off each T-Top is a small price to pay in order to be able to drive with the tops off again !

 

Ah but they poke through the plastic covers on the body side. The trim on the T-tops is open on the ends.

 

A real locksmith will be able to "pick" the t-top lock, open it and make you a key.

Been there and done that.................