T-Top Disaster - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

KirkEvil · 04-04-2009, 04:23 PM

So, I was driving early this morning in the crazy wind...

Cruising at about 45-50, I get hit by a head on wind gust. Without any warning rattle, the passenger side t-top gets sucked off. I watch it in my rear view fly about 10ft up, then shatter on the road. ****.

Luckily no one was around me to get hit by it. I guess the handle was not locked completely down or something. So, anyone selling or know where to get t-tops at a reasonable price other than ebay?

NastyEllEssWon · 04-04-2009, 04:24 PM

that sucks man. there was a guy on ls1tech in toms river parting out a wrecked black ttop trans am. iirc he still has them left. goes by the name of surfed or something like that. check the eastern section classifieds

madness410 · 04-04-2009, 04:25 PM

yeah man luckily nobody was around. same thing happened to my brothers targa top on the vette, except it got ran over by a truck behind him hahah.

sweetbmxrider · 04-04-2009, 06:30 PM

dude taylor that sucks. i have one i would give you buts its a driver side.
my buddy corey has a pair from the car he just bought, kid was going to do a ttop conversion, i'm sure he will sell them to you. i don't know if the set or just one. i'll text him now.

7998 · 04-04-2009, 07:52 PM

http://stores.ebay.com/Fparts

They usually have them, even if they are not listed on their site.

KirkEvil · 04-04-2009, 08:06 PM

Out of the places Ive looked at so far, I think I can get one for about $140 in decent condition.

Adam, if your friend has one in good condition that hes willing to sell, hit me up. I tarped off the top for now, and the car will be sitting for the next week.

nj85z28 · 04-05-2009, 12:32 AM

sucks man. ive seen it happen quite a few times though. my brothers old fireturd had custom t-tops and one blew off on the highway. needless to say it never got fixed

foff667 · 04-05-2009, 01:11 PM

My 98 did that as well, I don't think its a latching issue as mine was latched at the time.

DevilDougWS6 · 04-05-2009, 05:01 PM

those bitches are expensive new. $500 a piece. i got two extras lol.

NJSPEEDER · 04-05-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foff667

My 98 did that as well, I don't think its a latching issue as mine was latched at the time.

I know for a fact yours was latched at the time, I was the one sitting under it when we experienced lift off. lol

I think some of the guys on Tech and Cz28 figured out it has something to do with the aerodynamics of tops on and windows down. To me it seemed like such a random problem that it sounds more like a design flaw with the latch than some overpowering aero issue.

jims69camaro · 04-05-2009, 07:56 PM

i never had a problem with mine, and i've driven at speed with most configurations. ie, driver window down, driver top off, pass. window up, pass top on, etc. never had a problem. of course, whenever the top was on it was locked. don't ask me why, that's just the way i roll.

Tru2Chevy · 04-05-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jims69camaro

i never had a problem with mine, and i've driven at speed with most configurations. ie, driver window down, driver top off, pass. window up, pass top on, etc. never had a problem. of course, whenever the top was on it was locked. don't ask me why, that's just the way i roll.

Seems to be a 4th gen only problem Jim....never heard much of the 3rd gen guys having this issue.

- Justin

JL8Jeff · 04-06-2009, 07:45 AM

Even if it's latched, if it's not locked it can probably move enough to allow room for it to pull out. I always leave my t-tpos locked just in case.

camaro2you · 04-06-2009, 08:28 AM

I have a set off a 01SS PM for details.

5.7TA · 04-06-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tru2Chevy

Seems to be a 4th gen only problem Jim....never heard much of the 3rd gen guys having this issue.

- Justin

Yeah, don't know about the 3rd gens, I hate to admit it but this happened to my driver's side T-Top while I was driving down the highway.

KirkEvil, I was able to get mine for cheap about $75.00. It was at a salvage yard near McGuire AFB and they had it w/in 2 days for me. Maybe there is one in your area that can hook you up, I paid cash, which usually provides some extra motivation for most businesses. The part was in excellent condition and just needed a dusting off.

NjbadSS · 04-06-2009, 03:56 PM

Maybe you should have done a nifty search of the forum for the guy who's been selling a passengers T Top for a while!!I have a perfect condition passengers top..make me an offer

KirkEvil · 04-06-2009, 04:31 PM

thanks for the offers guys, but I already picked one up so I can get the car back together

NjbadSS · 04-06-2009, 05:36 PM

how much did ya pay?