Is anyone aware of any kits or do you have to go find a donor top?

 

Check my cardomain page... I did a ttop conversion. Unless you have a few years of auto body, metal fab, and welding skills, I suggest not doing it. Or if you have a couple thousand dollars to burn you could have a shop do it.

 

All I got to say is: Unless it is a 2 + 2 slicktop. Why would you want to convert to a t-top? The slicktop 2 seater's are actually more rare after '80-'81. I own 2 t-tops, and 2 slicktops. I have missed driving a Z with the sky blocked. If you know what I mean. hehe

All aside, as far as I know, there are no kits to convert. You either would have to cut the roof to fabricate the t-tops. Or like you mentioned cut the roof off, and put a t-top roof on there. And that would involve welding, and a lot of precision, measuring etc.. I actually thought about doing the transplant on my '81 slicktop. Back when I couldn't find any 5 speed t-tops at the time. Well I am glad I didn't do it, because of the rarity of the slicktop. And then 3 years later, I found a '82 t-top anyway. So patience was a virtue, parsei. So all I am saying is. If you want a t-top that badly. It would be easier to just get another Z. There is too much work or money involved, if you don't have the skills. If you would like, show us some pics of your Z. And good luck on whatever you decide bro'.

 

OK, I finally got my phone talking to my pc again. Now that was a process! Here's a pic of the exterior. Oh, and it is a 2+2 or sort of a long 2 now because I just ripped out pretty much the whole interior. I guess it's pretty hard to tell, but the body is in really good shape for an '80. That's why I want to keep it. That and it's running pretty solid with only 113k miles on it.

 

I wish I had enough experience to do that good of a replacement job. Maybe I'll just save my pennies and talk to an auto body shop. It needs to be repainted anyway. I wonder how hard it would be to find some t-top inserts and just cut the top that's on there to fit.

 

darn, if it were coupe id trade ya, i want a slickky roof, and i got a dang t-top one

 

When it's a sunny day like today, I just want the sky overhead not my faded blue headliner. Plus, having the roof off would blow away all the dust I can't vacum out.

 

people dont like em cause they leak... lol, i never had that problem, but most people dont DISLIKE the t-top, they just prefere a slick top because tehy are more rare.

 

I like the slickies cause they are just that: slick Sure the t-tops have that open air appeal, but from a cosmetic standpoint, I'd take a slicktop any day.

 

Slick tops also have more support in the roof so the body / frame doesn't flex as much as a t-topped z. Tho you can beef up the quarters & roof to make it more secure... it just adds weight.

 

aside from the rarity of slickkies, the ttops leak so much in the rain you will be holding an umbrella open while you drive, cussing yerself out to the max while you wish you had left the roof alone!!!!! i have both slikky and tops---there is no way i will drive the ttops in the wet..........and no way i will drive slikky in the sun.......................get one of each.......will be cheaper than making a perfectly good slikky into a leaky ttop.........i forgot to mention that aalmost all the conversions i have seen are leaky------keep it virgin and add another Z to yer collection.........if space is a problem, rotate them!!!!!!....................................:uni brow: -

 

Ah...gotta have my t-tops!!!!!!!!!!! But if It's a stock slicky..keep it that way!

 

This is funny, I'm thinking about the same thing. I have the slick top 2+2 with a badly rusted roof. I've cut it up but a bud has a ttop 2+2 roof. Problem is the windshield roof area is just as bad as mine. I was the ttops and I've done a conversion before. I did it on my TA but under the fiberglass top was the mounting supports for the Ttops. Yes I still had to cutout the window frame and mount the ttop holder, where the pin slides in. I did it in a day with some basic tools etc. but the Z is a whole other story, by cutting out the rust I know why these cars are so fat. They have double and triple metal frames. Still I know what is invoived in this and I don't want to do all the work.

Problem is now I still need to cut out the windshield roof area since the rust is too bad even under the roof metal and in the roof support. Trust me I thought about junking it, but every electrical option works and it runs like a top, it helps that I like the car. I will say though there will be body mods, like no chrome. Every thing will be smooth and flush like a modern car with the classic Z lines. Much work a head but I want to finish it this summer.


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No job, no woman, no school? Yeah... then it'd be possible to do it in one summer.

 

Too funny...demanding wife, two kids, very demanding high stress position.

This is my theropy to keep it all together.

I've just cut out the cowl yesterday and the lower windshield lip is next. Plenty of welding to do. I think by the summer, I'll create a schedule to try and finish. I'm doing it all myself.