bad@ss89camaro

i have a 91 z28 convertible and i need a new top is topsonline the only place to get it with glass and is it the cheapest,and how many people ordered through them and got great service? how hard is it to do it myself?

dual_88s

Only person who has 'fessed up to purchasing one of the glass tops, so far, is graboid.

I ordered one last Monday (with the glass top). Vic at TopsOnLine seems really eager to work with you. He says he would like to become one of the site sponsors.

Also, according to him, EzOnTop who he buys the glass window top from is the only supplier for 3rd Gen tops with glass.

I also ordered the side tensioning cables (I'm missing one completely) and the "liner" in my case the webbing that rides between the top and the frame. ($58 or both of those)

The cables and liner came in yesterday...top shows 5 to 7 working days before shipping. Hope it comes in mid next week.

I have an auto upholstery guy that says he will put it on for $240 ONLY if it is an EzOn or Robbins. Well worth the price for the amount of work it appears to be. (He comes recommended by CamaroWorld in Richardson, TX. They use him for all of their upholstery and top work on the 1st Gens they rebuild.)

TopsOnlIne is not afraid to tell you who their supplier is. All 3rd Gen tops are either EzOnTop or Robbins. I contacted via email another site selling tops (one of the sponsors of the board) and they refused to tell me who their top supplier was. Their price is lower than TopsOnLine. With the lack of information they would not supply, I chose to pay a few dollars more and get one that I felt had a reputable manufacturer behind it. Caveat Emptor! (Let the buyer beware) If you are afraid or ashamed to share your suppliers, maybe you aren't real pleased with them yourself. OH YEAH! TopsOnLine gives you a 3 year warranty on the top. The other site only gives you 1 year.....hmmmmm. Sounds like even they suspect the quality of their product.

Will update this post when it comes in and after I get it installed. Will also post a few pics when done.

Nice things about the glass window, you can get it tinted AND you never have to worry about the mildew and cancer problem again.

bad@ss89camaro

thanks lot for the info and please keep me up to date on everything

Bill Speed

To shave cost corners, My initial plan is buy a quality top off eBay and have the local shop here put it in, but I have to check back with them after I measure my current top. I've delt with endless mechanicals as of late... Been an ongoing dilemma, body work or mechanicals...cost cost cost
-B

dual_88s

yeah well a 14 to 18 year old car is ALMOST like a boat....a black hole you throw money into....especially when you buy it 2nd or 3rd hand or more....


TopsOnLine has an EzOn TOP with vinyl window for 299..the glass window is 399...


And like you, I am having someone install it .... for 240


Where on eBay are you finding tops?

Bill Speed

I'd do searches under years, Camaro or Firebird and also Convertibles. Often the parts are for vintage F cars though

Camaro tops and Firebird replacements for third gens are sold by the same guy. I don't have a current link, but bookmarked an auction in My eBay page
Addendum> As it turns out there is a private seller up now but big bucks and used. The topsonline company is the one I last saw, I'm sure there the same mentioned here, but couldn't recall if it was w/o checking
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33652

-B

Widowmaker

I got my top from topsonline. It fits great and wasn't too bad an install. 15 hours over a weekend and I got it perfect. I would reccommend replacing any worn weatherstripping at this time too. I also replaced my top to window seals($87 per side) and the rear bow seal($123) Ouch!

Also, the cheapest install price I got was $350-no way!

Good Luck bro!

dual_88s

I have 2 88 convertibles and on both of them the top curls on the left side rear...from the pillar post around to the back.

Does your top from topsonline do that?


Aggravates the snot outta me....

Planning on doing the rear bow seal....gonna order that probably tomorrow...rest of my stripping seems to be OK.....a couple of tears in the top of the windows from previous owners not lowering windows or opening doors first...but they seem to seal up pretty good regardless....

bad@ss89camaro

well so far it looks as if im just going to order the one from topsnoline can some1 give me a quick over view of how 2 put one on

dual_88s

there is a thread on here that one member explains his process of replacing his top...do a search for top replacement

Widowmaker

It is quite possible that the tops on your 88's did not use a rivet on the back bow. There is two spots on mine that I put in rivets and glue and it seems to be holding tight. The rivets are located right behind the doors where the top folds under the bow. One per side.

*NOTE*
ASC changed the top frames several times over the course of production and it is my opinion that they never fully got it right. The tops wear in funny spots and also have the curling problems as well. But hey, it still looks cool!

1. Rivet location

2. Glue(3M Super Weatherstrip adhesive)

dual_88s

New top came in yesterday...less than two weeks. Also got a set of instructions from Vic at TopsOnLine.

What I didn't realize is that the back glass is already tinted. Looks to me to be about a 20 tint. Gauging it against the 35 I have on the side windows.

Now I have to call my top guy and get it scheduled for install.......


More to come......

bad@ss89camaro

do u have a scanner or a way u can put the instructions on here if its not to much trouble so i can get a look at it and good luck on getting it put on
and thanks for all the help so far guys

Bill Speed

I may go the Topsonline route as well, but using Stayfast. Was given the option of the tan top by the local installer (in house repair), and still not really sure, I like that look I have to admit, but it sorta clashes....opinions???

My local installer quoted $625 to do it and not sure about weatherstripping, but hopefully included, will have to check again
He said in the winter slow months (too late I suspect!) He'd drop $100 of that price!
Mine is glued as well, no rivets, but they can be added I suspect, rather easily, however, I don't like the idea of them unless it is a real problem with just glue. Another local F car convertible is suffering the same fate...the top is coming unglued in back!

-Bill

dual_88s

I did order the StayFast top in Black but with the glass window.

Would not even think of cheapening the car with a vinyl top.


Even though the vinyl is about 150 to 200 cheaper

Widowmaker

My old top was tan and I like the black one much better. I believe the older models did not use rivets but they can be added. Mine had rivets in and all I did was drill them out and pop the new ones in. They really help hold the sides down-especially during the gluing of the back bow.

Vinyl belongs in swimming pools, not on your car

dual_88s

Gonna have to disagree...vinyl don't even belong in swimming pools...plaster belongs in swimming pools....

dual_88s

New top ready this afternoon...

Here's what it looked like before.




After pics when I get it later today....

dual_88s

Well, looks like it may be a few more days....

Seems that bow 4 was bent out of shape...it was @ 4 inches off the seam where it should be....gonna have to take the IROC down and let the installer compare it to what the Sport looks like.....

dual_88s

Picked my car up today with the new top.

It is so nice to be able to see out of the rear window. The ride with the top up is quieter, everything fits better and seals up. It is so tight now that when I shut the door once, the rear bow latch popped loose and the back of the top came up. Apparently wasn't latched completely.

It is a little more difficult to put the top down with the glass window, but I'm hoping it will loosen up a little with time.


Will take some pics tomorrow in the daylight and post....

shipfitter_sjd

My '92 also needs a new top. I picked it up in Florida and although the top is not in bad shape, the plastic back window is like looking through a Coke bottle. It needs help.

My upholsterer quoted $835 for a new cloth top from Robbins with plastic back window and I think new pads. He did not recommend vinyl (and it was cheaper) and would not install a top he did not order.

There are 3 different tops possible from cars converted by ASC.

I haven't decided to have him install the new top or not. There are not alot of upholstery shops left up here in Maine......and especially ones that will do a convertible top.

Steve

dual_88s

He obviously wants more profit.


Putting on new pads and top would probably have run me @ 850....The top was 400 and 270 to install it...took more work than he first anticipated with the bent bow.

So, if he had put on the new pads, it would have been more...The pads were 33 from Tops OnLine


Guy said pads would run a bunch more cause there is so much more work involved in putting them on...re meauring everything, etc

dual_88s

I promise...the top IS black and the car IS red....for some reason it came out kinda faded black and orange...


Musta been the way the sun hit the camera lense...

dual_88s

The car furtherest away from the camera is the one with the new top.

The towels wrapped around the mirrors are because we have a cardinal that has taken up residence near the house that likes to land on the cars and admire himelf in the mirrors. He messes up the mirrors and crxps all over the side of the car.

gmgod

Me likey the glass window. How much of a pain in the @ss/ stressfull on the top frame is it to fold up and down?

dual_88s

still a little stiff...so have to be careful and make sure it folds above the glass...noticing that so far i have to have the rear seat back loose so it will lean forward just a LITTLE. Thinking that maybe once the top loosens up it will work a little smoother.

It is also so tight that I either need help puhing the back bow down into the tonneau cover latch or have to get up on the side of the trunk lid so I can push it down all the way. Don't have just huge amounts of upper body strength.

Again I'm sure it will loosen up with a little age.

BUT...Overall, I'm liking it also.

JWKbride

Soooo, now that you have had the glass top for a few months has it become easier to lower? Still stiff and having to move the rear seat forward?

Its clear to me by reading on this board the ONLY way to go is topsonline.

John

dual_88s

The top HAS loosened up some (i.e. stretched). It it easier to get the 5th bow in now.

As far as lowering.....still easier to have the rear seat back loose or out of the way. Fear of stressing the glass and breaking it if I don't. may be more paranoid than I need, but the thought of breaking $400 plus the labor tends to make me more careful.


Maybe more time will tell......