T-Top Straps
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: LI NY
T-Top Straps
I need a little help. When I bought my 82 I was missing the short single strap for the T-top tie down strap system. I had the rear strap and then found a short strap under the seat. It has a sewn loop on one side and a chrome hook on the other. Embarrassed to say Im not sure what to do with it....
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,652
Likes: 3,110
From: Shamong, NJ
The strap attaches at three points. There is one chrome loop, near the rear each wheel house, in the luggage compartment. A third loop is on the front bulkhead, centered between the parking brake console and the top of the bulkhead.
The front loop often seems to get left off, when people replace the carpet in 68-82's.
Below are photos of my 81, with the luggage strap in place, as well as a photo of the location of the front loop.
The front loop often seems to get left off, when people replace the carpet in 68-82's.
Below are photos of my 81, with the luggage strap in place, as well as a photo of the location of the front loop.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: LI NY
Thanks for the photos. I had the wrong end of the short strap on the front hoop. I swapped it around, How does the front strap secure to the rear strap. I'm thinking I'm missing a piece. The rear strap has a square chrome buckle with an angled tab. It would seem there should be something in the middle of the buckle to loop the front strap around.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,652
Likes: 3,110
From: Shamong, NJ
The main strap (the "Y" shaped one) has a chrome buckle, with a knurled roller in the middle of it. The short strap just loops around the roller, like any other buckle. If the roller is missing, then you'll have to find another strap, as these are not being repro-ed.
If you need a strap, PM me. I don't have any right now, but a buddy of mine from Schenectady has quite a few good used ones. I don't know what colors he has, but I can PM you his phone number. If you can't match your color, you can always buy one in any color, and have a local auto upholstery shop stitch the buckle to your original strap.
This is how a complete buckle should look.
If you need a strap, PM me. I don't have any right now, but a buddy of mine from Schenectady has quite a few good used ones. I don't know what colors he has, but I can PM you his phone number. If you can't match your color, you can always buy one in any color, and have a local auto upholstery shop stitch the buckle to your original strap.
This is how a complete buckle should look.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
thank you so much for this thread! I had no Idea how the strap system worked either. From the pictures I can see i'm missing the knurled roller, and i think that's the piece the OP seems to be missing. is there anyone who sells the roller separately, or do I need to buy a whole set of straps?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
My straps are intact, but I'm not sure of the proper placement/stowage positions of the tops back there. It seems "wrong" when I strap down the tops... I've tried overlapping them, placing the edge up on the wheelwells, upside down etc. I have to find an owners manual at a swap meet, that seems to be the only thing I'm missing. Any pics of the "proper" stowage arrangement?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,496
Likes: 2,382
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
My straps are intact, but I'm not sure of the proper placement/stowage positions of the tops back there. It seems "wrong" when I strap down the tops... I've tried overlapping them, placing the edge up on the wheelwells, upside down etc. I have to find an owners manual at a swap meet, that seems to be the only thing I'm missing. Any pics of the "proper" stowage arrangement?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,496
Likes: 2,382
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The t-tops will stack one on top of the other laying flat in the cargo area. I would not recommend stowing them without the bags or the "suitcase" like I'm using and stow them glass side up. The strap just keeps them from sliding around or from bouncing up if you hit a dip in the road at speed. It's also a good idea to strap them down just in case you get in an accident.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 99
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
The t-tops will stack one on top of the other laying flat in the cargo area. I would not recommend stowing them without the bags or the "suitcase" like I'm using and stow them glass side up. The strap just keeps them from sliding around or from bouncing up if you hit a dip in the road at speed. It's also a good idea to strap them down just in case you get in an accident.
never store them without protection of the oem bag or suitcase
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 10
From: Somerdale NJ
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-‘17-‘18
I didn't know how it worked either! I'm missing the RH side anchor in the rear and found the attachement point piece (that goes near the center console) laying in a box of parts - I had no clue it went to the car; it looked like a drawer handle.
Thanks for clearing this us for us!
Thanks for clearing this us for us!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,652
Likes: 3,110
From: Shamong, NJ
My straps are intact, but I'm not sure of the proper placement/stowage positions of the tops back there. It seems "wrong" when I strap down the tops... I've tried overlapping them, placing the edge up on the wheelwells, upside down etc. I have to find an owners manual at a swap meet, that seems to be the only thing I'm missing. Any pics of the "proper" stowage arrangement?
I usually "nestle" my tops, when I put them in the back. I will lay one top in the back, top side down and the curved outer edge facing the passenger side of the compartment. The second top I lay on the first one, top side up, and with the curved outer edge toward the drivers side. They fit together nicely this way, sit fairly low, and don't tend to rattle or move around.
I always put the tops in factory T-top bags, with one thick bath towel under both tops, and a second one between the two tops. Though, I do have the original dated glass tops, that came with the car, so I tend to be a little over protective of them!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,652
Likes: 3,110
From: Shamong, NJ
[QUOTE=Easy Mike;1578599600]
Mike, thanks but I can't take much credit. The car is pretty much all original and unrestored, with about 44,000 miles on it. We bought the car new and all I ever did was keep it clean and stock. The only originality deduction I ever get with the car is for the later Delco battery in it (but I do have my original dated Delco Freedom sitting on a shelf). Unfortunately being unrestored, the condition deductions add up pretty quick.