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-   -   '91 Firebird convertible project (https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/convertibles/756731-91-firebird-convertible-project.html)

Paintchips97 10-15-2018 11:23 AM

'91 Firebird convertible project
 
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.

mwill316 10-15-2018 11:39 AM

Re: '91 Firebird, a few questions.
 
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.

Drew 10-15-2018 12:45 PM

Re: '91 Firebird, a few questions.
 
Kick panels stopped being carpeted by 91 on Firebirds.

tavert91 10-16-2018 05:25 PM

Re: '91 Firebird, a few questions.
 
Correct. 91 kick panels were not carpeted. Has a PO put speakers in them and used carpeted ones?

Paintchips97 11-07-2018 03:26 PM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 
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.

blacksunshine'91 11-07-2018 06:43 PM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 

Originally Posted by Paintchips97 (Post 6261090)
The brights switch...don't work

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.


shiftman 11-14-2018 11:47 AM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 
Paintchips: As a new Third Gen Firebird owner, you might find the "All Firebird Colors, Codes & Quantities" fact and reference book helpful.

Paintchips97 11-29-2018 08:17 PM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 
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.

Paintchips97 11-29-2018 08:33 PM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 
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.

Drew 11-29-2018 10:17 PM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 
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.

Paintchips97 02-18-2019 12:27 AM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 
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.https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...25ce9c573.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...00a939887.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...3b1f66a87.jpeg

Paintchips97 03-30-2019 09:17 PM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 
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.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...a7c4a414d.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...9952a262b.jpeg

blacksunshine'91 03-30-2019 09:49 PM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 
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.

shiftman 03-30-2019 11:22 PM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 
Holy Cow. Looks great!!!

Paintchips97 03-31-2019 04:13 PM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 

Originally Posted by blacksunshine'91 (Post 6291662)
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

Paintchips97 03-31-2019 04:15 PM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 

Originally Posted by shiftman (Post 6291683)
Holy Cow. Looks great!!!

Thank you! It’s coming along nicely but I still have a ways to go

Paintchips97 09-10-2019 11:39 AM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 
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.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...3ad8cca9d2.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...374280c39c.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...efb01ee999.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...5519ea48af.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...f8a3296552.jpg

tavert91 09-10-2019 01:04 PM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 
Very nice work! Doubt if I'll get to see the car down here in the south but it sure shows nicely.

Sweatlock 09-10-2019 07:19 PM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 
Beautiful car

shiftman 09-10-2019 08:27 PM

Re: '91 Firebird convertible project
 
Looks great. Love that train tracks photo.


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