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Hey everyone I tried to post in some existing threads but got nothing, also did some research with some conflicting results.
I have 90 gta and I'm looking into options for spoiler and deck lid or hatch deck? I dont know the proper term. There is rust underneath and gots the cancer as they say. Would I be better off replacing the whole lid part? Or trying to clean it up best I can?
Follow up to this the previous owner rock guarded the top of the aero wing and itself has seen better days, rusted areas etc. I havent removed it yet cause I dont have a replacement but just curious because ideally I like the pedestal style and like the 84 anniversary style spoiles. If I replaced it with something of that nature do they have ones that can accept the 3rd brake light? Or am I looking at a bunch of drilling etc to make it work. If so then I'd probably just try to get a new aerowing in fiberglass or whatever the repro ones are.
So ya just looking at some options for the deck lid and spoiler thanks guys! I'm very new to any real body work so keep that in mind.
That's rotted beyond what I'd consider worthy of repair. Your hatch is very common, so a clean white replacement can usually be scooped for around $150 including the glass. That's IF you want to keep your current spoiler design. If you're after the style that's more a flat basic one, then you'll need to either re-drill the holes, or you can find the corresponding deck lid itself and swap it on to your glass. I'll warn you that assuming your car is totally bone stock appearance wise, any spoiler other than the factory wrap around one will make the car look a little odd. You'll end up looking like you cloned a GTA from a base Firebird
That's rotted beyond what I'd consider worthy of repair. Your hatch is very common, so a clean white replacement can usually be scooped for around $150 including the glass. That's IF you want to keep your current spoiler design. If you're after the style that's more a flat basic one, then you'll need to either re-drill the holes, or you can find the corresponding deck lid itself and swap it on to your glass. I'll warn you that assuming your car is totally bone stock appearance wise, any spoiler other than the factory wrap around one will make the car look a little odd. You'll end up looking like you cloned a GTA from a base Firebird
Never thought about it that way, ya it stock gta otherwise.
Alright time to try and find a replacement lid or hatch and spoiler. I'm in canada so these parts are a little more rare.
thanks dude!
EDIT: follow up question do the mounts that are on the hatch window come as all one piece built in or is that something you put on after like could I swap them?
Never thought about it that way, ya it stock gta otherwise.
Alright time to try and find a replacement lid or hatch and spoiler. I'm in canada so these parts are a little more rare.
thanks dude!
You're preaching to the choir, I'm in Ontario haha. There were TONS of Trans Am's and all which should have identical glass and deck lid panel (85-90 I mean) as long as they came with the wrap around spoiler. Swapping your spoiler isn't too tough, so it'll at least be on there making the car look complete while you hunt for a replacement
Also if anyone knows I cannot find parts numbers and a lot of the data bases I've found are expired or don't have the rear hatch, or decklid or spoiler. Thanks!
Seeing that you're in Ontario, try to find "Paradise Alley", in the GTA. I've bought things from him before (last time would have been in 2016). I did but a reproduction fiberglass wrap around spoiler there in 2014 that I'm happy with and he had some full length floor pans sitting on a shelf that I bought as well.
I think we are all a bit jealous of these southern guys and what they consider "rusty"...
I drive an 05 Subaru RS that is a blast for a daily, but damn, the rust is slowly consuming it, even with undercoating (with the proper stuff) every year. I like the car so much I want to find a high mileage cheap Impreza shell from the southern U.S. and swap all my RS stuff over to it. I'd be driving a 30 year old pick up if I could as well.
Seeing that you're in Ontario, try to find "Paradise Alley", in the GTA. I've bought things from him before (last time would have been in 2016). I did but a reproduction fiberglass wrap around spoiler there in 2014 that I'm happy with and he had some full length floor pans sitting on a shelf that I bought as well.
I think we are all a bit jealous of these southern guys and what they consider "rusty"...
I drive an 05 Subaru RS that is a blast for a daily, but damn, the rust is slowly consuming it, even with undercoating (with the proper stuff) every year. I like the car so much I want to find a high mileage cheap Impreza shell from the southern U.S. and swap all my RS stuff over to it. I'd be driving a 30 year old pick up if I could as well.
I'm in alberta ive reached out to David t camaro firebird but haven't heard back but thanks !
I'm the one in Ontario Paradise alley has some decent stuff but as they're now just one guy selling off what's left, the prices have gone nuts for just junk leftovers. David T also has no place in the third gen world and many people have called them out for it. They sell junk for astronomical prices, which is probably why their inventory never changes. You're best off looking for a local parts guy, or someone parting out a car. I don't believe anyone sells new aftermarket hatches or deck lids, and even if they did, the price vs quality would probably be a no go.
I live in NB now, luckily I've found "the guy" out here to get parts from.
Last time I saw paradise alley I believe it was a new location, and some prices seemed to be a bit high, I know a few people have felt scammed there.
I recently found out about David T, but going on to the website something about it said don't deal with them... Can't remember what it is I was looking for actually. Not much on my car is 3rd gen other than the body/plastics.
I agree with everything said so far including the reputation of David T. But desperate folks will pay the price of convenience unfortunately haha but in my opinion I would relook at cleaning that rust up (hard to see the whole pic of the extent of it) those hatches are built with some thicker metal than say fenders and floor pans... just a thought anyways.
I bought my spoiler from hawks third gen. You should be able to repair that rust it’s not that bad. I ground off the tabs for mounting because the new one doesn’t use it
Follow up to this, if i take off this spoiler and try to restore it, as it would be a while before a replacement arrives. How can i go about rebuilding it, and painting it. From my research its a urethane rubber? so i know some threads recommended a semi rigid rubber compound or something. so i will have to see, as well for painting i know that rubber can expand and contract resulting in crummy paint.
I found a hatch from an 83 for fairly cheap it has the other style spoiler, if i was to swap it would it be possible to mount the third brake light by taking it off my current spoiler or are we getting into other issues with hood latches and such? If this makes any sense. So in this circumstance id switch the entire hatch so i don't have to do any major drilling while i try to repair the original aerowing an such. over the winter ill look into purchasing a new fiberglass spoiler and going from there. but this is my current options.
Also another question if I attempt to repair, for a my own personal attempts is there replacement metal for inside the spoiler itself? I can't seem to find part numbers and my stuff is pretty rusty. As well I saw about using a semi rigid repair urethane or something kit. But just trying to figure something out
Save yourself the trouble and just save up for the Hawks replacement and do it right once. I don't believe there is any replacement metal for the original so you would be creating your own or paying a metal fabricator, then there is the rubber repair and lastly trying to get paint to stick to it without cracking/peeling etc. Your spoiler is in better shape than mine was, it was ripped up more and was rusted out so I would just run it until next winter.
Save yourself the trouble and just save up for the Hawks replacement and do it right once. I don't believe there is any replacement metal for the original so you would be creating your own or paying a metal fabricator, then there is the rubber repair and lastly trying to get paint to stick to it without cracking/peeling etc. Your spoiler is in better shape than mine was, it was ripped up more and was rusted out so I would just run it until next winter.
in the mean time I might have procured a 83 hatch. With the pedestal spoiler. I have the third brake light. Would it be fairly easy to switch it over to that spoiler or better off just leaving it. And not running one for now? Or would attaching it be fairly easy.
Pretty sure you will have to drill new holes and fill old ones if you want to try switching from Aerowing to pedestal with your factory deck lid. If you switch the deck lid out for the 83’ that may be easier but you will have to release the original from the back glass (putty knife and heat gun work good according to some posts I’ve seen) etc then mount new one and reseal with likely a windshield sealer. Another thing to consider is there may be a few differences between 83’ and 90’ deck lids, there were changes after 85’ but I’m not certain if the deck lid is different. If you do a few searches I bet you could find out for sure. I personally wouldn’t go through the hassle if you have to all that and plan on replacing to Hawks unit but that’s just me.
Pretty sure you will have to drill new holes and fill old ones if you want to try switching from Aerowing to pedestal with your factory deck lid. If you switch the deck lid out for the 83’ that may be easier but you will have to release the original from the back glass (putty knife and heat gun work good according to some posts I’ve seen) etc then mount new one and reseal with likely a windshield sealer. Another thing to consider is there may be a few differences between 83’ and 90’ deck lids, there were changes after 85’ but I’m not certain if the deck lid is different. If you do a few searches I bet you could find out for sure. I personally wouldn’t go through the hassle if you have to all that and plan on replacing to Hawks unit but that’s just me.
Yeah i have decided not to replace decklid but the guy has a full rear harch with spoiler and glass and everything so i might swap the whole hatch till the spoiler shows up but we shall see.
That’s not a bad idea, would be much easier but be sure you have a buddy or 2 to help with that hatch/glass, it’s pretty heavy and easy to break. Good luck with it!
06-18-2020, 11:17 AM
Paradise alley has some decent stuff but as they're now just one guy selling off what's left, the prices have gone nuts for just junk leftovers. David T also has no place in the third gen world and many people have called them out for it. They sell junk for astronomical prices, which is probably why their inventory never changes. You're best off looking for a local parts guy, or someone parting out a car. I don't believe anyone sells new aftermarket hatches or deck lids, and even if they did, the price vs quality would probably be a no go. 
