T-Top Conversion

Ok, so I am finally getting around to the engine swap, but now I am thinking ahead. And the one regret I have about buying my car (other than the engine, but I am working on that) is not getting one with T-Tops. One, I think they look cool and two, it gets really hot in my hardtop really fast. So, any thoughts about converting a hardtop to T-Tops? People who have done it, how much did it put you back?

Thanks,
Eric

about $400 bucks- and a weekend

Really it was the best thing i ever did to my car

WOW, thats all?? I've heard like $2k. You did it yourself I assume? Was it a kit, or just went to town?

I am picking up parts on ebay to do mine currently, I am up to $240 but all I have are the t-tops, and center bar, but that also included shipping.

some info

http://www.dw-zone.com/t-tops/t-top.asp

http://www.geek-racing.com/curt/T-top_conversion/

I dont think there is one shop out there willing to do the t top conversion. My total was 550.00 exactly and about 6 hours of work(thats really fast)


And like mentioned above.........single best appearance mod ever.

I guess im alone on not liking t-tops :) My car has them, and i always wanted them until i got them. They seem more of a PITA then anything. Sure they are great for the ten times a year i take them out and cruise around town, but the other 355 days in the year, they rattle sometimes, and leak on other occasions, ive even got in my car in the morning to find a puddle on the floor board ( not very often ). But, yes they do look better than a hard top, but if i could do over again, i would try my hardest to find a non t-top car. But good luck, my opinion doesnt matter :p Also when youve got a chick with you they always complain about it messing up their hair ;)

MustangEater, let me know how that turns out. I may be doing this sooner than I thought. GreenTA, haha, I think you may be alone in not liking them. I love them. I see people with them driving around with them on on beautiful days all the time and get so mad because if I had them they would be off in a heartbeat. But I guess the grass is always greener on the other side. Thanks for the info, guys.

-Eric

i dont take mine off often because a box inhabits my trunk. i trust no one, so am unwilling to leave the car with them off.

trans am creations has kits i think i have heard they do.

trans am creations has kits i think i have heard they do.


I was quoted $600 from them, no shipping(since I coudl visit my parents in Ft. lauderdale, and pick everything up in Miami)

So far off of local people and ebay, I am $255 into it.

And pretty much have a seller lined up for the rest of the parts just need to round up the money, another $110, and some free movie tickets...

That will put my cost of parts at around $365, with shipping on alot of parts, as opposed to TAcreations, kit of $600 no shipping.



SOrt of a little page I am working on with my progress in this...
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/514505/4

has a couple useful links if you are looking for parts.

I did mine through my body shop. Bought a complete T-top'd roof with the pillars and everything for $100 bucks. The guy even included the tops. I helped the body shop install it and they didn't charge me much. I bought all the weatherstripping, headliner, and the A-pillar plastic trim for around $50 I think. Total cost was under $200 and now both the exterior and interior look like it was from the factory. Best mod by far. I originally found a couple F-body junk yards selling complete "kits" so to speak for around $500 bucks. Then it was just a sawzall, a weekend, and some beer. Never got to that point though.

i just sold my 96 ta and it had ttops, and now i have a 99 formula hard top, and i havent really noticed not having them yet. i probably will soon though. i took them off every chance i got. ill be looking into a conversion soon i bet.

i just sold my 96 ta and it had ttops, and now i have a 99 formula hard top, and i havent really noticed not having them yet. i probably will soon though. i took them off every chance i got. ill be looking into a conversion soon i bet.

I am on my 3rd f-body, never had t-tops... I am a windows down 95% of the time type of guy, and something like taking the t-tops off doesn't bother me.

Everytime I get my dad's vette, the targa top is off instantly, and I put it right back on 5 minutes later since I am more paranoid someone messing with it, since its not my car.

I guess im alone on not liking t-tops :) My car has them, and i always wanted them until i got them. They seem more of a PITA then anything. Sure they are great for the ten times a year i take them out and cruise around town, but the other 355 days in the year, they rattle sometimes, and leak on other occasions, ive even got in my car in the morning to find a puddle on the floor board ( not very often ). But, yes they do look better than a hard top, but if i could do over again, i would try my hardest to find a non t-top car. But good luck, my opinion doesnt matter :p Also when youve got a chick with you they always complain about it messing up their hair ;)


Your not the only one :)

I've almost had my car 3 years

First year as long as it was above 40* they were off

second year nice days at the beach

third year 3 times :(

They leak, sometimes rattle, mine dont lock so I'm always worried about them flying off.

I like the look of them over the hard top, but I'm always just driving somewheres and leaving the car, so it's more practical/easier to just power down the windows.

:cool:

hey if you guys are having problems with your t-tops latching/locking.

take them apart, its really quit easy, the ones I bought were pretty rought, but I took them apart, cleaned up re-oiled all the moving parts, even took the cam lock out and pulled a few pins out so my key worsk in it fine. It really is a night and day difference in how they feel, and they aren't even in my car.

IF they feel too loose there is a little metal plate they slide on I am sure you coudl bend if forward and it make the handle feel more stiff and secure.