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T-Top question

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Old Dec 29, 2018 | 06:27 AM
  #1  
Skullie's Avatar
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Car: 88 Trans Am GTA
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T-Top question

Hello,
My 88 GTA has T-Tops. There was no bag for the tops included with the car. I plan to get one by the spring. The strange thing is the carpet in my car has no cutouts for anything for the straps to secure to, so I'm assuming that a new carpet was put in at some point. I also plan to replace that soon, as I clean up the interior. My question is, is there anything I am missing that the straps need to secure to? Or are there just clips of some sort for them under the carpeting? The photo below is not my car, just a photo I found that shows what I am talking about to use as a guide. Any advice or help is appreciated, thank you in advance.



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Old Dec 29, 2018 | 06:56 AM
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dagwood's Avatar
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Car: 1986 Camaro Drag Car
Engine: 383 on Ethanol
Transmission: Automatic
Axle/Gears: 4.86 Currie 9 inch
Re: T-Top question

There are 4 little metal hooks that screw down in the car that the t top bag straps latch on to. 2 go on the hatch floor, and 2 stick out of the rear cargo compartment plastic cover. I have all 4 of them, with the factory mounting screws if you want to buy them. I also have a t top bag. $75 for everything plus shipping.
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Old Dec 29, 2018 | 07:33 AM
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Car: 88 Trans Am GTA
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Re: T-Top question

PM sent, thank you
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Old Dec 29, 2018 | 09:24 AM
  #4  
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Car: 89 GTA ASC Conv., Prev: 89 GTA 6.3L
Engine: 5.7L L98 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 w/ JG1 Options:B2L, N10, U1A
Re: T-Top question

My assumption is not that you have new carpet, but rather that you have aftermarket T tops in your 1988. Do you have pictures of your T tops? Or pictures of your car?
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Old Dec 30, 2018 | 01:10 PM
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: T-Top question

Your back trim panel should have two slots in it for the rear hoops. Here, with the trim loose and leaning forward, you can see the silencing pad cut away around the slots on each side, and can just see the slots at the tops of those openings in the pad.



Here with that trim panel installed, you can see the black metal hoop on the passenger side sticking through that slot in the trim. The long straps from the bag extend across the cargo well, and hook into those hoops.
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Old Dec 30, 2018 | 05:15 PM
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Car: 88 Trans Am GTA
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Re: T-Top question

I don't have pics of the tops themselves but I can try to take some tomorrow. PIcs of the car itself, yes I have many. What specifically do you need to see?
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Old Dec 30, 2018 | 05:34 PM
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Car: 88 Trans Am GTA
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Re: T-Top question

Here is the only pics of the hatch I have. I don't have any of the tops yet.



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Old Dec 30, 2018 | 09:23 PM
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: T-Top question

Oh good...the rear ones are there. So your trim and all is good. Just need the ones under the carpet.
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Old Dec 31, 2018 | 02:51 AM
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Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: T-Top question

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Old Dec 31, 2018 | 08:22 AM
  #10  
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From: Syracuse NY
Car: 84 Z-28
Engine: 305 HO
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Re: T-Top question

Take a pic of the t-tops and roof of car so we can see which ones you have.
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Old Dec 31, 2018 | 10:22 AM
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: T-Top question

Originally Posted by NoEmissions84TA
No, it's an ancient ratcheting screwdriver. That big ball is the grip. The steel shaft comes out, and goes in the other end to reverse direction. The tip is changeable. This came from a Buffalo Tools sale (if any of you are old enough to remember them) and would qualify as a cheap, low grade tool. And I've had it since I was 16 or so (that's pushing 40 years), and it still works great. It's the best for leverage when you want to make sure NOT to strip the head off a Philips trim screw, especially rocker trim or step well trim. Cheap yes, but super effective, and I hope it lasts the rest of my lifetime.
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Old Dec 31, 2018 | 10:22 AM
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Car: '89 GTA
Engine: ZZ6TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Borg Warner 3.70:1
Re: T-Top question

You have the 2 metal loops in the rear panel, so it's more than likely a factory T-top car (unless someone added them, which is highly doubtful). You are missing the 2 additional loops just behind the rear seat backs. You can see where they should be from the photo you posted. There should be brackets with threaded holes underneath the carpet. You can probably feel them as bumps under the carpet, or just pull the carpet back to see if they are there. You will need to source those metal loops and the screws. I've seen them show up on Ebay, or one of the Thirdgen junkyards would have them.
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Old Jan 3, 2019 | 07:46 AM
  #13  
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From: Crosby, Texas
Car: 1988 IROC "The Duece"
Engine: 5.7 TPI L98
Transmission: 700R4
Re: T-Top question

I got mine off of ebay for like $20 with all the hardware. The PO took them out to install a ridiculously large speaker box that has now been removed.
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