Bought me an Astro Top....heads up

[Macgyver]

So my astro top came in this week. Not good. Its a piece of shizz if you ask me. Its very flimsy for one. I would probably break it in half w/ just a little pressure. The attachments are very cheap and would probably wear out in a few months since youre screwing a steel bolt into acrylic. THe weather stripping is flimsy as well and Im not going to trust it in the rain which is why I bought it. It would probably take about 4 minutes to take it off and on. If you take your tops off and on alot like myself than this is not a very good buy since the OEM ones pop off on slap right back on in a jiff. I was obviously expecting something better for that price. If the ttops are made from the same material than they would get very scratched up and would have to buy their ttop bag. I would never trust those flimsy things as the barrier between my stereo and the scum of san antonio, which is chalk full.

I mean seriously that piece of acrylic couldnt cost more than $30 to make. Why the hell dont they put more money into the fasteners. I got headers sent to me that weigh 2.5 times that and cost half the price to maiil to me. $50 bucks for shipping....eat me.

I hate to be so negative but hey if you bought it youd probably understand. Now that I think about it, I want some painted tops.

 

[bossvette]

I have had one since 1999 and I love it, I just guess some people have different tastes. Mine is more weathertight then the old ones and I love the view at night. Its too bad you don't like it. I have mine off quit a bit and the only thing worry about is scratching it.

 

[bill81vette]

the fellow I bought the vette from,had bought one ...(b/c the t-tops were cracked)..just to have something on the top...am not all that impressed with the astro top,I agree that the weatherstripping is too flimsy..and will it fit behind the seats if you took it off?...doesn't seem to seal all that well either>

 

[silver77vette]

Sorry you feel the way you do over your Astro top. I've had one for 4 years,with no regrets. You must not know much about shipping something that large as it is oversized and it takes quite good packing to ship something like that.

 

[Macgyver]

It came in the same size box as my headers so forgive me for my lack of expansive knowledge on shipping protocol

It does look nice though on and when looking up from the drivers side but I need something much more durable to feel comfortable about removing it over and over. HOw do the threads hold up as far as screwing those things in and out? No problems stripping? Im debating whether or not to keep it. It looks like it would scratch real easy.

The real reason why I bought was because my other pass. top is leaking and the driver side is cracked bad but holds water real well for some odd reason. I guess it would be better to buy new pass side weather strip and buy a new driver side top. I take my tops off a lot like I said.

 

[silver77vette]

Don't want to start anything but my headers came in a box much smaller than the top box. Enough on that! I have not had any problems with mine. After you put in on, it doesn't hurt to check that it is tight after it has been on for an hour or so. Don't use mine much in the summer due to heat and sun here in Tucson. Great all winter long!! When putting it on, just don't crank on it like Bubba would. Good luck.

 

[Macgyver]

sorry sorry...

Are you able to store it in the back? I have a sub in the back and that would just make too much rattling noise I think. I havent tried putting it back there cause I didnt want to scratch it when Im not sure Im going to keep it.

 

[silver77vette]

Sorry I didn'y get back to you last nite, busy nite. Haven't tried to put mine behind the seats , looks way to large to fit without rubbing on something. My 77 has a very small space behind the seats. Speakers in rear, can't have anything in way of tunes. Had enough trouble putting t-tops in there once before. For tops off driving, I have what is called a raincoat. One of those tops that is held down in the front and rear by velcro. Not the best but great for those times. Use it for cruising during during our monson season. Haven't had any problems with it either. Might seem to be a bit of overkill having 3 different kinds of tops but seems to work.

 

[bossvette]

Sorry I didn'y get back to you last nite, busy nite. Haven't tried to put mine behind the seats , looks way to large to fit without rubbing on something. My 77 has a very small space behind the seats. Speakers in rear, can't have anything in way of tunes. Had enough trouble putting t-tops in there once before. For tops off driving, I have what is called a raincoat. One of those tops that is held down in the front and rear by velcro. Not the best but great for those times. Use it for cruising during during our monson season. Haven't had any problems with it either. Might seem to be a bit of overkill having 3 different kinds of tops but seems to work.

you and me both, I leave the astro top off and carry the rain coat. the t-tops leak too much just keep around for old times sake:L my astro top just fits in back, but I had to get smaller speakers to do it.

 

[AUSSIEVETTEMAN]

Sorry to hear about your Astro Tops.

BTW, we purchased a new set of T-Tops from www.sunroofdoctor.com and had them sent all the way to us in Australia.
Saved about half the amount that Ecklers and Corvette Central wanted to charge.
They came in a large box with plenty of quality packaging and the tops fitted like the originals. I would highly recommend them for when you have to replace the tops or the glass.
We had one crack in ours, so we replaced both so they looked the same.


Tony

 

[Macgyver]

Are you talking about those black canvas looking things in the Ecklers catalog? I think they went for 275$. Hey if those stay on and hold out the rain then Im all for it till I justify spending $875 on the sunroof doctor. THank you for that link though thats perfect. I guess Ill just buy some stripping for the pass side and a new drivers side for now. Man am I going to be busy as hell selling my jeep and 10 other carbs and OEM parts on ebay now an astrotop.

 

[silver77vette]

You've got the right one. I show Corvette America and Ecklers having them for $279. I've got to do the weatherstripping on my tops also,front tends to leak. Just be very careful when putting on the raincoat. Hand slipped when putting it on and had replace rubber on drivers side. Very easy to tear!

 

[Macgyver]

OH, you put it on over the tops? How deceitful!!! Those punks made me think that it was a whole one piece top that was sturdy. I wouldve flipped my whig if I wouldve gotten that and figured out myself.

 

[silver77vette]

The tops come off then the raincoat goes on. The velcro strips that hold the front and rear down are under the tops. Leave the tops home ,take the raincoat. Quick fix in case of rain.

 

[Macgyver]

ahh thank you. How secure is it? Can you take it off from the outside? Does it hold the rain well? I

 

[silver77vette]

I have mine on at highway speeds , just noisey due to wind. With windows up it can't be taken off . I have no problem with leaving it a parking lot for a time. A lot like having a cheap vert top. More headroom like the Astro top.

 

[Tifton81]

I purchased the Astro Top about 3 months ago. My T-tops are in sad shape and I need to replace both of them. I picked up my Astro Top in Athens, Alabama, since I was passing through. No shipping charge.

I agree, I think the top looks great on the car but the rear lockdown gear is not that great. Very cheap. When I picked it up the guy told me that if I had wind noise, to insert material into the center of the weather strip to expand it. The problem is I can't make the rear tight enough to stop the wind noise. No problem. It does fit behind the seat with no problem but limits the cargo space.

I purchased it to get me through the summer and get the t-tops replaced. All in all, it's o.k. for the money I think.

 

[7581$]

I am looking to buy one of these 1 piece tops for my 81 and if it works out, one for my 75. I have the mirrored glass T Tops on my 81 but they are very hot in the California summers and leak a bit in the rain. Any one have a suggestion on the best 1 piece tops to purchase. I see them from $400 to $1200? Any suggestions. Brands etc? Also has anyone used inserts for TTops to cut down on the heat ? Thanks Don

 

[Andy]

I am looking at picking up the black LOF galaxy glass t tops. Will call the sunroofdoctor tomorrow..they are 100.00 cheaper than anything i have found so far.....astro tops i have been considering for months now due to the good price, but they charge 750.00 without a core charge.

I am looking to buy one of these 1 piece tops for my 81 and if it works out, one for my 75. I have the mirrored glass T Tops on my 81 but they are very hot in the California summers and leak a bit in the rain. Any one have a suggestion on the best 1 piece tops to purchase. I see them from $400 to $1200? Any suggestions. Brands etc? Also has anyone used inserts for TTops to cut down on the heat ? Thanks Don

 

[KANE]

So my astro top came in this week. Not good. Its a piece of shizz if you ask me. Its very flimsy for one. I would probably break it in half w/ just a little pressure. The attachments are very cheap and would probably wear out in a few months since youre screwing a steel bolt into acrylic. THe weather stripping is flimsy as well and Im not going to trust it in the rain which is why I bought it.

Wow. I had the Acrylic T-tops from them and they were great. Hmmm.