Cascade Crew

Whiskeychick · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:44 am Post subject: T-Top shades

Anyone have an OEM set?

I just want to know the exact dimentions of a pair, and maybe see a pic in detail?
Im making my own shades, cause I dont want to spend 80 bucks on a pair, and just figure it would be easiest to start with the oem specs for size instead of trial and error.

I asked on 3rd gen and got the usual trash responses.

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:34 am Post subject:

I have a pair. I can measure and get back to you.

In a related note, Rich (Richster) was asking about this a few weeks ago and he just made himself a set. Sounds like they turned out nice. Maybe he will chime in with his experience.

-Schultzy

Whiskeychick · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:04 pm Post subject:

THANK YOU! lol

Richster · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 1:02 pm Post subject:

Yes I am putting together a pair myself. I borrowed Lama's for a template the first thing is they are not a normal cut, they have little cutouts and rounded edges, also they are attached with the top off and velcro.
When I get home this evening, I will take some pics and post them for you. I used a sheet of corrugated poly board, the stuff you see the realestate signs are made of. It is durable and easy to use, and I have a source for $1.00 a sheet, I am going to use some left over fabric from my recently upholstered seats, and black vinyl on the glass side.
Once you have the template, life is MUCH easier!
Be Back at you, with some pics, and perhaps I can trace on a large poster board the shape...

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 1:58 pm Post subject:

hmmm, maybe I should trace them out on paper. let's take a look at the measurements and pics first.

I will grab them tonight.

-Schultzy

Whiskeychick · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:23 pm Post subject:

Wicked thanks again.

I actually pulled headliner in black out of a Jimmy, so Im going to cut that out for the base, and I have to redo my headliner anyways, so Im just going to cover all of them together so they look the same.

Well, This is the plan... I shall see lol Considering ive never seen a set in real life, i dont even know how they work. I assumed they just slid in

Al Hasse · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:29 pm Post subject:

My 89 used to have them. Long gone by the time I bought it, but the velcro tabs on the corners of the glass were still there - makes me agree with Rich that they install on the glass with the tops off.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 3:44 pm Post subject:

What the hell are you guys/girl talking about? Question

Al Hasse · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 3:54 pm Post subject:

Like these on e-Bay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/82-92-Camaro-Firebird-T-top-Sun-Shades-Grey-OEM-MINT-/320592821128?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4aa4d23b88

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 6:52 pm Post subject:

Ok here are the pics. I have the material to recover mine but haven't done it yet. They have been smushed into a closet.

They are flipped over so keep that in mind. The cloth side actually goes down and matches the headliner material. In the first pic, the passenger side is on the top and driver side is on the bottom. The edge to the left is front of the car. Rounded edges follow the contour of the t-top opening and straight edge is out toward door.

Dimensions

L 26 7/8" (inside edge toward T bar)
L 25 7/8" (outside edge that goes toward window/latch)
W 17 1/4" (before indentations)
W 16 1/2" (at indentations)

Hopefully that makes sense looking at the pics. There is a taper in length from inside (T bar) to outside (window) at the front of the car. The back edge is straight across (other than rounded corners of course). The 2nd and 3rd pics show the 'indentations'. Rich mentioned some differences side to side but mine are clones of each other.

The material is a hard cardboard type backing, a thin foam pad approx 1/2" thick and then covered with headliner material. The edges have piping sewn around to hold it all together.

If that doesn't make sense just ask... been a long day lol.

Here is a pic from the top of how they would sit in the car

Cheers,

-Schultzy

Richster · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 8:01 pm Post subject:

Nice job Mr.Bones!
Whiskey Chick, note the cut outs and the rounded edges...crucial!
No they don't slide in, I tried...forget about it!
The way the shades fit, take the T-Tops off, lay the shade on, the velcro holds it in place and the thin edge of the shade will fit on the plastic lip of the top by the latch.
I will post a pic shortly of the homemade gig!!
I hope this is helpful, but the pics Schultzy put up are great!
Tricky little dudes they are! Cool

Richster · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 10:26 pm Post subject:

I used Polycore it has the durability needed.

The sheets are shorter then required so I used some 1/8" round stock to add a piece to make the length correct.

I had left over cloth from my seat upholstery and took that and sewed it so the polycore could slide in, I am going to put my Shark logo on the down side of the material.

Dewey316 · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 12:20 am Post subject:

Glad to see you were able to finally get a set made up Rich!

I would have posted measurements, but as you can see, my shades are in use by Rich.

Richster · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 10:03 am Post subject:

Thanks again dude, without yours for a template that would've taken some time and a couple more poly sheets for sure!
The key is the cutouts and rounder corners, and of course knowing to attach with the top OFF...LOL that was a moment! Rolling Eyes

I will get the tops back to you man, they are in safe keeping at my house in my office, those are like gold to me! Cool

And I have to say man, yours are in OUTSTANDING CONDITION!
I looked at some for sale, and pretty rough condition for the price!
The only thing I am looking at is the vinyl on the glass side, it is done that
way for wear I'm sure, I think the cloth will hold up fine, I'll give it a shot at least! Dude I could stitch a BIG LAMA on yours Laughing

Thanks again buddy!

Whiskeychick · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 11:54 am Post subject:

So they do lie flat then?
That makes it way easier

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 11:55 am Post subject:

Yes.

-Schultzy

Whiskeychick · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 11:56 am Post subject:

Ahh, all this info saved, and now I have one of my winter projects ready to be tackled Smile

Ill post up pics etc once I get it all done.

IROCDave · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 7:10 pm Post subject:

If anyone needs a couple of the poly sheets (we call it plastic cardboard), let me know. I have purchased about 500each 4'x8' sheets in the last couple of months for protection of finishes on the project I am currently working on.

I understand that these things can be usefull in a warm climate, but in the PNW? Reminds me of the factory louvers stored in my storage space above the garage. Kinda cool but not neccesary.

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 7:38 pm Post subject:

I normally used them in the winter actually. They created a bit of insulation between the noggin and the t-top. Tops are normally off in the summer anyway.

-Schultzy

Richster · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 8:01 pm Post subject:

Absolutely Schultzy...When I put Lama's up, it was instant!
The insulation factor was amazing, along with a noise reduction!
Man I could have used them a few times when the meter hit a hundie!
Those glass tops freeze in the winter and go oven in the summer!
I may put a small sheet of foam on the down side as well, what I really liked is the way the foam adds some depth and more sound insulation.
Way cool!
@ IrocDave man a 4' x 8' that is outstanding!
The sheets my bud gave me are precut for signage, so I had to overcome and adapt!
But to have a full sheet to work from would be way good!