Grettings from Canada, this is my first question since joining up with y'all (no offence intended). I think this is a great site.

I've always thought that a great custom mod for the 80-ish Elky's would be to graft the T-roofs off of say the Monte-Carlo's. I know they are too big. So how 'bout it. Can it be done? Ever seen it??

Sneaky Pete...

I installed a top up sunroof in mine about 8 years ago. I like it alot. Besides more air, I remove it sometimes for that open feeling.

My 80 came to me with a Sun Roof and I like it a lot. I don't know if it was a dealer option or one of the owners had it installed. I am pretty sure it was never a factory option.

I din't know if T-Tops can be installed. It could have a negative effect on the rigidity of the truck. Some of that top could add rigidity to the structure and cutting it away might remove essential strength. I could be completely off on this but its worth a thought.

I think the top is a little too narrow for the Monty or other G-body T-Tops to fit unmolested. It would be a decent look possibly. I saw a Convertable Elky once , I didn't like it but it was done so maybe I am off on the cab adding rigidity to the overall strength.

Good luck on the project. Take a lot of pictures, let us know.

I don't think the rigidity thing is much, because they have done it to all the "other" GM's.

The trick I think in doing this is getting the glass. It seems custom shaped tempered glass is prohibitively $$$. So why can't you cut the stock panels to fit the smaller roofed Elky? ( you know with water lasers or ?? ).

The rest of the hardware could just be shortened up and modified. It might end up that the tops are real small considering the tappered shape of the top of the door glass that it has to mate to and flow with.

Any good custom glass people out there got the answer to this?

... Sneaky Pete

...graft the T-roofs off of say the Monte-Carlo's...
The 82-88 Monte Carlo T-tops need a 32.5" opening but the roof of a 5th gen El Camino is only 30.5". Some mid-80's Monte Carlo got aftermarket T-tops from a company called C&C. Those are about 1.5" shorter than the GM T-top but they're still be too big to fit in your El Camino roof.

:mrgreen:

Actually, I friend of mine that worked for GM said that they did have some problems with t tops on the a/g bodies. A little smack on a front fender would cause alignment problems & leaking.

My 81 has a removable sunroof in it that I love but I always tell the wife that my next one will have t- tops. I have seen an 82 that was a convertable that was nice too.

the first caminos came convertable didnt they

big bear