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  1. #1
    FEP Power Member 82stangracer's Avatar
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    Default 82stangracer's 82 GT T-top Rebuild

    Well this is it. I decided not to fix the '82 I wrecked. (That thread is here ) Instead, I just found and bought this '82 GT T-top. The main shell is solid. I went over every inch of this car. All spot welds on the quarters and front shock towers/fender aprons look good. Nothing looks like it has ever been welded or bondoed ecept it looks like it had louvers and the holes were filled in with bondo.The floor pans are shot and the radiator support needs to be replaced because it looks like someone jerked it with a chain. I will be transplanting the interior and drivetrain from mine to this one, along with the new 5 speed, lowering springs and 5 lug swap parts I was getting ready to put on mine before the accident. I have my work cut out for me and I know progress will be slow. So here goes.







    Last edited by 82stangracer; 10-29-2012 at 06:02 PM.
    Chris

    Had
    Too many that I wish I'd kept!

    Have
    69 Mach 1 "M" Code
    82 GT 308(my 1st stang)
    82 GT T-top (a new beginning) Rebuild Thread
    71 Torino GT

  2. #2

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    Sorry about your old ride. Looking forward to seeing the two made into one.

  3. #3
    FEP Power Member tonysilver82's Avatar
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    glad to see you can save it i really like the 82s

  4. #4

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    Love the 82 gts, looks like a lot of work but i am sure it will be awesome

  5. #5

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    That is cleaner than what I started with. Mine may have been more complete, but yours is cleaner. Good luck. Many have done a whole lot with a lot less.

    Good Luck!
    Liberty once lost is lost forever.

    John Adams
    July 7, 1775

  6. #6

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    It's an 82GT ttop so it will be awesome when you are finished, and you already have a lot of the parts from your old car. Sounds like this is gonna be a great project, have fun.
    Cheers!

    Mike (TopGear85)



    Have:
    85 Saleen #73-GT,2R,TuTone,Cruise,Pos,5spd,Charcoal
    ***August 2015 ROTM Winner!***

    Had:
    79PC-San Jose #2890
    86GT-9L,TuTone,5spd,T-Tops,Sand Beige
    86GT-9L,TuTone,5spd,T-Tops,Charcoal
    90LX-Oxford Wht,5spd,Sunroof,5.0 Hatchback
    90GT-Oxford Wht,5spd

  7. #7
    FEP Power Member ccurtin's Avatar
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    Nice project. Good luck with the swap.
    I'm an FEP Paid Supporter and proud of it. Are you?

    1984 Capri Turbo RS - Alive after 7 years! Build Thread
    2018 Mustang GT - daily driver

  8. #8

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    Good luck on ur project...make sure to keep the pics coming
    81 t-top cpe
    84 Gt
    85 Gt
    80 CJ-7
    06 Harley
    06 F250 FX4

  9. #9
    FEP Super Member 79mustangcobra's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TopGear86 View Post
    It's an 82GT ttop so it will be awesome when you are finished, and you already have a lot of the parts from your old car. Sounds like this is gonna be a great project, have fun.
    I agree - look forward to seeing this! Good luck I am sure you can make it work!

    Chris where did you find this 82 GT?

    Good find! Like you said - you always wanted a T-Top! You have one now- maybe it was just meant to be
    Last edited by 79mustangcobra; 10-30-2012 at 11:09 AM.
    1979 Mustang Cobra 5.0
    2P Red and 1C Black

    Stock never goes out of style
    MCA #70281 - 79-93 MCA Concours Judge
    Proverbs 3:5-6



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    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...71#post1688371

  10. #10
    FEP Power Member 82stangracer's Avatar
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    Thanks yall! I'll post pics as I slowly go.

    Quote Originally Posted by 79mustangcobra View Post
    Chris where did you find this 82 GT?
    Fountain Inn, SC via craigslist. I didn't post it in the FYI because I was greedy and knew I was gonna get it.
    Chris

    Had
    Too many that I wish I'd kept!

    Have
    69 Mach 1 "M" Code
    82 GT 308(my 1st stang)
    82 GT T-top (a new beginning) Rebuild Thread
    71 Torino GT

  11. #11
    FEP Power Member 82stangracer's Avatar
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    Well, I finally got the title for this car. I haven't started on it yet because I wanted to make sure I could get it titled. Its been aggrivating but I have title in hand now and ready to start work.
    Chris

    Had
    Too many that I wish I'd kept!

    Have
    69 Mach 1 "M" Code
    82 GT 308(my 1st stang)
    82 GT T-top (a new beginning) Rebuild Thread
    71 Torino GT

  12. #12
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    As long as your 'donor' car has what you need, I see no reason not to use everything from it. Take the floor pans and anything else body-wise needed. Swapping everything else over will be merely remove-reinstall after the sheetmetal fix is done!

    Having to cut one up to save another is a tough choice, but in the end it will be worth it if the car you end up with is what you wanted to begin with!
    " If you're not living life on the edge, that means you're taking up too much room."
    1979 Mustang Indy Pace 2.3T/4spd (sold on 1/10/16)
    1983 GLX vert 3.8/auto (triple black, sold on 10/8/13)
    1984 (early) Turbo GT (parts SLOWLY coming together)
    1985 Coupe 4.6L DOHC/IRS swapped (sold 9/10/17)
    1986 GT TTop 5spd (sold as of 10/8/13)
    1988 Thunderbird TurboCoupe (Cobra IRS/Brakes/big turbo project)

  13. #13
    FEP Power Member 82stangracer's Avatar
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    Well I finally dug into it and started tearing it down this weekend. I got most of the front clip stripped down. The front pass. fender apron is rusted pretty good. Just one spot is rusted all the way through, but the metal seems week so I guess I'll be replacing it.






    I'm also going to have to replace the lower half of the radiator support. So I'm keeping an eye out for one. Are they the same supports for 4 cyl cars, because those are plentyful around here. Just don't see to many v8 cars in the yards.

    Chris

    Had
    Too many that I wish I'd kept!

    Have
    69 Mach 1 "M" Code
    82 GT 308(my 1st stang)
    82 GT T-top (a new beginning) Rebuild Thread
    71 Torino GT

  14. #14
    FEP Power Member 82stangracer's Avatar
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    I also started pulling the interior and found by Build Sheet behind the pass quarter panel and it was actually in pretty good shape. I'll get it scanned a post it up.

    Chris

    Had
    Too many that I wish I'd kept!

    Have
    69 Mach 1 "M" Code
    82 GT 308(my 1st stang)
    82 GT T-top (a new beginning) Rebuild Thread
    71 Torino GT

  15. #15
    FEP Super Member Travis T's Avatar
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    The core supports are the same between different engine sizes, but may vary slightly by year.
    1984 Mustang GT owned since 1991 (first car). Mercury Mountaineer GT-40P engine, some suspension mods, currently undergoing a five lug SN95 brake upgrade and more suspension mods. Some minor body and interior mods have been done as well.

    2004 GT convertible, 2001 Taurus LX, 1994 F150, 1950 F-1 Ford Pickup

  16. #16
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
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    Congrats on your new 82 GT T-top from a fellow 82 GT T-top owner. Now I just need to get as motivated as you!

    Good Luck on the build!

    Trey
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
    1969 Mach 1
    1979 Pace Car now 5.0/5 speed
    1982 GT Stalled RestoModification
    1984 SVO Still Waiting Restoration
    1986 GT Under going Wide Body Conversion Currently

    Current Capris:
    1981 Capri Roller
    1981 Capri Black Magic Roller Basket Case
    1982 Capri RS 5.0/4spd T-top Full Restoration Stalled in TX
    1984 Capri RS T-top Roller
    1983-84 Gloy Racing Trans Am/IMSA Body Parts

  17. #17
    FEP Super Member JTurbo's Avatar
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    Nice, looking forward to the re-build / updates!

  18. #18
    FEP Power Member 82stangracer's Avatar
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    Got the Build Sheet scanned.

    Chris

    Had
    Too many that I wish I'd kept!

    Have
    69 Mach 1 "M" Code
    82 GT 308(my 1st stang)
    82 GT T-top (a new beginning) Rebuild Thread
    71 Torino GT

  19. #19
    FEP Power Member 82stangracer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Travis T View Post
    The core supports are the same between different engine sizes, but may vary slightly by year.
    Do you think they would only be different where the headlamp reinforcement panel bolts up? Because I was planning on replacing only the lower section and cutting just below the frame rails.
    Chris

    Had
    Too many that I wish I'd kept!

    Have
    69 Mach 1 "M" Code
    82 GT 308(my 1st stang)
    82 GT T-top (a new beginning) Rebuild Thread
    71 Torino GT

  20. #20
    FEP Super Member Travis T's Avatar
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    From what I've seen I think they're all similar enough that you won't have any problems doing what you are wanting to do. I'm not sure if there are any differences in them at all, you just never know with Ford.
    1984 Mustang GT owned since 1991 (first car). Mercury Mountaineer GT-40P engine, some suspension mods, currently undergoing a five lug SN95 brake upgrade and more suspension mods. Some minor body and interior mods have been done as well.

    2004 GT convertible, 2001 Taurus LX, 1994 F150, 1950 F-1 Ford Pickup

  21. #21
    FEP Power Member 82stangracer's Avatar
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    I finished striping the Interior. Drivers pan isn't that bad. Pass is shot and under the back seat is pretty bad.




    Chris

    Had
    Too many that I wish I'd kept!

    Have
    69 Mach 1 "M" Code
    82 GT 308(my 1st stang)
    82 GT T-top (a new beginning) Rebuild Thread
    71 Torino GT

  22. #22

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    You gonna try to patch them up or just replace all the pans? I would do subframe connectors when you finish fixing the rust. Those will stiffen up the chassis and help you avoid seat cracks.
    Cheers!

    Mike (TopGear85)



    Have:
    85 Saleen #73-GT,2R,TuTone,Cruise,Pos,5spd,Charcoal
    ***August 2015 ROTM Winner!***

    Had:
    79PC-San Jose #2890
    86GT-9L,TuTone,5spd,T-Tops,Sand Beige
    86GT-9L,TuTone,5spd,T-Tops,Charcoal
    90LX-Oxford Wht,5spd,Sunroof,5.0 Hatchback
    90GT-Oxford Wht,5spd

  23. #23
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 82stangracer View Post
    Do you think they would only be different where the headlamp reinforcement panel bolts up? Because I was planning on replacing only the lower section and cutting just below the frame rails.
    There are differences over the years in regards to the core supports, but for what you need/want to do you will be fine. Most of the differences have to do with the holes/mounts for the hood bumpers, hood support rod location, the actual brackets that weld the core support to the frame rails, and some of the mounting holes and location on the lower section in regards to how the bumper covers, fog lamp bracket, and air deflector mount up. I would keep your original lower as a guide if you need to add any holes or adjust the new lower if needed. The closer in year model you get to your 82, the fewer differences there will be.

    Good Luck!

    Trey
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
    1969 Mach 1
    1979 Pace Car now 5.0/5 speed
    1982 GT Stalled RestoModification
    1984 SVO Still Waiting Restoration
    1986 GT Under going Wide Body Conversion Currently

    Current Capris:
    1981 Capri Roller
    1981 Capri Black Magic Roller Basket Case
    1982 Capri RS 5.0/4spd T-top Full Restoration Stalled in TX
    1984 Capri RS T-top Roller
    1983-84 Gloy Racing Trans Am/IMSA Body Parts

  24. #24
    FEP Power Member 82stangracer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TopGear85 View Post
    You gonna try to patch them up or just replace all the pans? I would do subframe connectors when you finish fixing the rust. Those will stiffen up the chassis and help you avoid seat cracks.
    Not sure just yet. Thinking about doing a full pass side and patching the rest. I do plan on doing subframe connectors. I was actually planning on doing them 1st. I had read on here somewhere that would be best.


    Quote Originally Posted by wraithracing View Post
    There are differences over the years in regards to the core supports, but for what you need/want to do you will be fine. Most of the differences have to do with the holes/mounts for the hood bumpers, hood support rod location, the actual brackets that weld the core support to the frame rails, and some of the mounting holes and location on the lower section in regards to how the bumper covers, fog lamp bracket, and air deflector mount up. I would keep your original lower as a guide if you need to add any holes or adjust the new lower if needed. The closer in year model you get to your 82, the fewer differences there will be.

    Good Luck!

    Trey
    Great! Thanks!
    Chris

    Had
    Too many that I wish I'd kept!

    Have
    69 Mach 1 "M" Code
    82 GT 308(my 1st stang)
    82 GT T-top (a new beginning) Rebuild Thread
    71 Torino GT

  25. #25
    FEP Power Member 82stangracer's Avatar
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    Name:  1 (5).jpg
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    Here's she is along with our Home Security System, Lol! I converted it over to 5 lug using ranger axles and '94 spindles. I just have one bolt in the oem struts right now. I didn't want to put the new struts on since I'll be taking all the suspension back off later on during the rebuild.

    Oh, and for those of you wondering about the "mysterious cars" in the background.... those are (in order) my '70 Mustang Sportsroof, '82 GT (the one I wrecked), '71 Torino GT Sportsroof, and '70 F-100. AND YES.... My wife complains about all the cars I have in the yard.
    Last edited by 82stangracer; 02-05-2015 at 11:25 PM.
    Chris

    Had
    Too many that I wish I'd kept!

    Have
    69 Mach 1 "M" Code
    82 GT 308(my 1st stang)
    82 GT T-top (a new beginning) Rebuild Thread
    71 Torino GT

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