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ConvertiblesDiscussed here are problems and solutions to convertible specific questions, including difficult to find part numbers and other convertible tech help.
Just bought my first third gen, a '91 Firebird convertible with a Trans Am front clip and GTA badges. I'm new to these cars, so I don't know anything about them. Does anyone know where to get new trunk struts? And does anyone have pictures of what the kick panels look like? Mine look like they should be carpeted, but aren't. Also, do the dash pad covers look good on these cars? Not the carpet ones, but the hard covers.
Last edited by Paintchips97; Nov 7, 2018 at 05:10 PM.
Rockatuo for the struts. Yes the kick panels are carpeted. Check with Denny at thirdgen ranch he sells nice used dash pads for around $150 or scan fb marketplace or cl for a nice used one. I think dash covers are around $100 and just look cheap.
Haven't figured out yet how to post pics off my Android phone, but the car is coming together. Needs some somewhat hefty rust repair on the rear quarter panel and into the spare tire area in the trunk, all in good time. Replaced the dash pad, got new center caps for the wheels, heavily cleaned the interior and engine bay, replaced the trunk struts and replaced the interior door handle. Needs seats and carpet eventually, along with a top, weatherstripping, and god only knows what else. The brights switch and the fans don't work, haven't figured those out yet. For what I paid though, I can't complain.
Last edited by Paintchips97; Nov 7, 2018 at 05:09 PM.
More often than not, its just the switch out of adjustment. Do a search, you should be able to find the way to fix it. Its not hard, but it is a ginormous pain in the rear.
Started digging deeper into this thing, and this car's Wisconsin heritage is becoming more and more apparent every second. Props to whoever had the brass to drive this thing in the winter for who knows how many years, because it was a scary ride on my way to the storage unit in light snow. In any case, my driver's side fender, passenger side quarter, driver's side floorboard up front, the trunk, and the rear wheel wells are starting to look like Swiss cheese. The wheel wells are my biggest concern, as they're pretty terrible. I could probably stick a fist in the hole I broke out at the bottom towards the front of the car. Looks like I've got one HELL of a project ahead. On the bright side, the strut towers are perfect and the girlfriend knows it's my dream car and gave me the green light to do whatever is necessary to get it fixed up.
Started digging deeper into this thing, and this car's Wisconsin heritage is becoming more and more apparent every second. Props to whoever had the brass to drive this thing in the winter for who knows how many years, because it was a scary ride on my way to the storage unit in light snow. In any case, my driver's side fender, passenger side quarter, driver's side floorboard up front, the trunk, and the rear wheel wells are starting to look like Swiss cheese. The wheel wells are my biggest concern, as they're pretty terrible. I could probably stick a fist in the hole I broke out at the bottom towards the front of the car. Looks like I've got one HELL of a project ahead. On the bright side, the strut towers are perfect and the girlfriend knows it's my dream car and gave me the green light to do whatever is necessary to get it fixed up.
Just start grinding and cutting away the rust until you hit good metal, then make patch panels, and get to welding. It's kinda fun when you get rolling.
Okay, I think I got pictures figured out. The car has come a long way. Interior is nearly finished, just have to put the new door panels on. Going to patch the quarter when the weather warms up a bit, then do a good paint correction on the rest.
New wheels, tires and hood struts are done. Lost 3rd and 4th gear last week, drove home 87 miles in 2nd and swapped transmissions a couple days later. New trans has a shift kit and a stall. Really happy with how the car is coming along.
Might I suggest switching to the black center caps on the rims? I think it would look so much better. The silver caps just look out of place.
I haven’t decided how I feel just yet about the silver caps, but I bought these for $65 since two were missing on my black wheels. I have bigger fish to fry for now but with how expensive they were they’ll probably be there for a minute lol
Been an eventful year for the car. Among a load of much needed but boring maintenance, I got the GTA door panels in, added the black center caps, got the leather GTA seats done, and completed the digital dash swap. Drove it to Tennessee from northern Illinois on Labor Day weekend without any issues. I couldn't be much happier with the progress.
