Topic: coupe to t-top??

[Hitman]

As far as tips go, someone kinda mentioned it above.  You have to use the front and rear glass to measure everything by.  I barely ever used a measuring tape, I just used the front and rear glass to place in and out of there until everything fit the same.  Now of course, the photos above were one way of doing it and the only photos that I had handy right now.  The other way to do it without really doing all of the measuring is drill out the factory spot welds on both the donor car and the car you are putting the top on.  That way there is very little measuring that goes on.  Now epsecially on the front, there is three layers that you have to work through and it takes a little longer, but you save time on the fitting at the end.  So, the chop top is easy at first, then tough at the end, whereas the drilling of spot welds takes alot of time up front, but easier at the end.

[RENOVATIONS]

I know there are spot welds back at the sail panels but what about the pillars in front?

[ta78w72]

Hm, I never saw any reinforcements when I gutted a '78 T/A with the hurst hatches, and I pulled out all of the original parts to resell off of it. Where did they reinforce? The thing was as rigid as a slice of bologna once I removed only the t-top frames. Not saying you're wrong, but I'm curious!

The only reinforcements I found on this car when I parted it out was some spray-expanding foam sprayed in the two peices of roof sheetmetal (obviously a previous owner job). It was just sawzall cuts other than that. Unless I got an early style hurst roof, I can't remember if it was the first version or the second. I still have the frames for the t-tops from that car in the garage, but I sold the t-tops.

My guess is the supports are only temporary so the car is stable without the roof.  Once the new roof is installed, the supports come out.

[AmFan]

This is a very interesting thread.  When I was having my 78 redone I bought an 81 firebird as a parts car and it had the t roof and all the associated parts.  I discussed the idea of swapping the roofs with the guy doing all the body work at great length.  He said that he could do it and assured me that it would look like no one ever touched the car.  Of course it would have meant a change order on his quote, but the extra $2k sounded very tempting.  I mulled over this for about 2 weeks before deciding not to do it, because I was unsure of how it would turn out.  Reading this thread makes it sound like the work is not that bad if you know what to do.  Kind of makes me think I should have done the swap.  Oh well.

tom

[RENOVATIONS]

I was quoted $700-$1000 for the swap by a very reputable shop about 2 years ago. I'll still have it done but plan to tackle it myself at some point since I'm not gonna' farm out any of the work

[Eagle 1]

One thing I know.  There are twice as many spot welds in the floor pans of a T-top car vs. a coupe.  This is to help support the body mid section where there is not a frame, to keep it from twisting I assume.

[AmFan]

One thing I know.  There are twice as many spot welds in the floor pans of a T-top car vs. a coupe.  This is to help support the body mid section where there is not a frame, to keep it from twisting I assume.

Would subframe connectors provide the same effect?  I have them on my 78, they came with the car when I bought it.  I've never driven a 2nd gen TA without subframe connectors so I don't have anything to compare to.

tom

[dredden17]

Anyone know of someone in Western New York that would do this swap over for me?? Would try myself but seems like one of those jobs that I would be better off letting someone reputable doing. Thanks

[Hitman]

I can do it for about $1200 to $1400.  I am not in Western New York, but I am in Eastern Ohio.

[logikfive]

Anyone know of someone in Western New York that would do this swap over for me?? Would try myself but seems like one of those jobs that I would be better off letting someone reputable doing. Thanks

Just curious, what part of WNY are you in?

[dredden17]

I live about 10 miles west of Attica. In a little town called Strykersville

[logikfive]

Ah, no kidding. Not too far from here!

[dredden17]

Really?? where you from logikfive??

[Magnum]

curious, what differences were there between the camero's and the t/a's? would a camero t-top swap work for a t/a coupe? did they put in hurst or fisher or? in the camero's?

[Tbird]

Hm, I never saw any reinforcements when I gutted a '78 T/A with the hurst hatches, and I pulled out all of the original parts to resell off of it. Where did they reinforce? The thing was as rigid as a slice of bologna once I removed only the t-top frames. Not saying you're wrong, but I'm curious!

The only reinforcements I found on this car when I parted it out was some spray-expanding foam sprayed in the two peices of roof sheetmetal (obviously a previous owner job). It was just sawzall cuts other than that. Unless I got an early style hurst roof, I can't remember if it was the first version or the second. I still have the frames for the t-tops from that car in the garage, but I sold the t-tops.

The foam is factory, its in the roof of my 78 with the Husrt Hatch's. I know the history of my car and can assure you its factory in mine.