Convertible Interchange Information

[Crazy K]

I hope to keep this thread nice, clean, and updated, so as to create a resource that is available to help all W-body kind informed about parts and resources for their convertibles.

Here's the scope. While some cutlass convertibles may have started life as a coupe (88 and 90 by car and concept for instance) many parts are vert specific. While many parts are vert specific, some of these parts can be fabricated from standard CS coupe parts. I will be detailing my knowledge here on how too, interchanges and whatever else is appropriate.

I have chosen to create several subsections, each as a follow up post, which detail a specific area of the car.

DIRECTORY

Underhood
-Stabilizer bar
-OEM Auxiliary Transmission cooler

Exterior body (excluding doors)
-Body Structure
-Front Bumper
-Foglamps
-Front Fenders
-Lower Body Mounted Mouldings
-Rear Fender/quarter-panels
-Trunk Lid
-Rear Bumper
-Taillights and Reverse Light Bar

Door and Door Related
-Exterior Door Handles
-Doorhandle Access Cover
-Door Lock Cylinders
-Interior Door Handle and Latch mechanism Assembly
-Wire harness
-Mirrors
-Exterior Door Moulding/Trim/Panel
-Compete Door (as a unit)

Window Glass and Related
-Front Windshield
-Windshield Surround(exterior)
-Door Glass
-Rear Quarter Movable Glass
-Affixed Rear Triangle Glass
-Rear window
-Window Motors/Regulators


Interior
-Door Panels
-Rear Interior Trim Tub Panel
-Seatbelts (front and rear)
-Seats (front and rear)
-Center Consoles (front and rear)


Convertible Specific Electronics
-Convertible Top Switch
-Convertible Top Module
-Foglight Switch
-Window Switches
-Climate Controls Unit
-Radios
-SWRC


Convertible Top and related mechanisms and hardware.
-Top
-Mechanism




have an issue or wish for more discussion on interchange info? post here:
http://www.w-body.com/forum/index.ph...c,52285.0.html

[Crazy K]

Cutlass convertables use the same engines and transmissions and all underhood components as the regular models.... except the following.

Stabilizer bar(abv. STB)
STBs were added to the convertible line of W-bodies and are often crude in appearance. They were not installed on the 1988 model year, and appear to be a last minute afterthought to compensate for the excessive flexibility that may have condemned the 88 models to the shredder. The loss of reinforcement created by the lack of a roof results in the feeling of a loose cowl, flexing, and body shake while driving, even with the STB installed.

IMO, you should not operate a convertible without the STB installed. The lack of rigidity may make the vehicle unstable while cornering creating understeer or oversteer situations. Damage, both structural or cosmetic, may occur should the strut towers be allowed to shift unchecked.

so what's a 3.4 vert bar?
Originally when convertibles received the STB, it was formed of a round tube run between directly between the upper strut mount plates/strut towers.
When Oldsmobile started releasing the 3.4 motor in the Convertible line, the original round tube design was incompatible as it interfered with the engine. The new design, popularly called the 3.4 Vert STB, is a square tube which is offset to run along the rear edge of the engine compartment to clear the engine. it is my assumption that GM continued installing their remaining stock of round tube type STBs on 3.1 cars until they ran out, meaning a mid-year switch to the updated square tube type on all newer verts.

-1988 Convertibles did not have STBs, (an stb will still fit)

Alleged.... the 1990 Convertibles did not have STBs, (an stb will still fit)


the original round type is seen on 90(?), 91, and 92 convertibles with the 3.1 motor

the square tube type is seen on all 3.4 cars and 1993 3.1 and up, as well as on all 3100 cars.

not sure if the change over from round to square tubed STB was on the 92 to 93 changeover at this time.

OEM Auxiliary Transmission cooler(or rather modification to the car for compatibility)
GM installed an Auxiliary transmission cooler to run in series with the factory one in the radiator. It is believed that all the 1991-1993 models with a 3.4 received the cooler, as well as some 3800 powered models(possibly some early 91's were missed).
The auxiliary trans cooler is the same on all the cars; the difference is the modification the cars received in order to accept it. The difference between convertibles and normal cars is that convertibles have an 'X' bracing across the front of the radiator support. Those convertibles with a 3.4 motor which came with a transmission cooler had the drivers side of their 'X' braces flattened in a press to clear and go behind the cooler. cars without the pressed 'X' brace are not able to utilize the 3.4 cooler.

-1988 has NO cross bracing.
-1990 unknown
-1991 yes, and 'X' bracing is removable and is made of round tubular bar stock.
-1992-1995 3.1 models the 'X' bracing is welded to the radiator support, and is made of round tubular bar stock.
-1992-1993 3.4 models the 'X' bracing is welded to the radiator support, and the drivers side of the round tubular bar stock was pressed flat for clearance.
-1994-1995 3.4 models the 'X' bracing is welded to the radiator support, and is made of round tubular bar stock.

[Crazy K]

Body Structure
The body has it's origins as a coupe, with extensive changed or modifications to form a convertible substructure.
-1988 ?
-1990 ?
-1991-1995 Convertibles have had their rocker panels removed and have 'angle iron' type reinforcements to the body in the orignal location.


Front Bumper
88 'ram-dam' pace car bumper, thought to be only on the pace cars, parade pace cars and 250 replicas only, though it may have been produced on a small number of other coupes.
-1990-1991 same as 88-91 international
-1992-1995 same as 92-97 coupe(trim appropriate)


Headlights, Grills, Inner Turn Signals, Marker Lights, Header Panel, and Hood
-1988, 1990-1991 ALL will interchanges with 88-91 coupes and convertibles. (grills color permitting)
(earlier models had glass and later had plastic headlamps, but they interchange)
-1992-1995 ALL will interchanges with 92-97 coupes and convertibles.


Foglamps
88 convertible only? light appears identical to the ones used on the official Pacecar. Not seen on known coupe replica. The mount to the substructure of the bumper and are centerd in the opneing cut through the bumper.
90-91 unknown. offered?
92-95 same as 92-97 coupe and sedan(if equipped).


Front Fenders
Interchangeable with modification
Fenders are vert specific. But they can be fabricated from standard fenders by cutting off the lower edge of the fender where they ordinarily would connect to the body flange. Instead they bolt to the structural rails that were added to the convertible. These rails completely substitute for the rocker panels. The remaining lower fender has slots cut into it where snap on bolt tabs are retained.
I intend to make a template to assist in fabricating vert fenders for those who may need it.


Lower Body Mounted Mouldings
There are two parts to this moulding, the small front section covering the bottom of the front fender, and the long part that goes under the door sill and covers the rear quarter panel. This excludes the lower moulding on the door, detailed in "door and door related".
-1988 are regular International mouldings, in the international silver, they had no rocker panel reinforcement and thus have factory mouldings.
-1990 appear to be regular International mouldings, assumed to be body colored, modifications unknown. It is unknown whether they have rocker panel reinforcement.
-1991 appear to be regular International mouldings, assumed to be body colored, 1991 cars have the rocker panels reinforcement, which may mean modification to the mouldings was necessary.
-1992-1995 are modified regular 92-97 coupe lower body mouldings. The slots that hold the vert ones on are preformed into the coupe ones, only the material that is under the car and out of view required removal.


Rear Fender/Quarterpanels
Not known, but I think they would.


Trunk Lid
interchangeable all 88-97 coupe and convertibles
the 1988 pace car convertibles have a trunk rack with an installed third brake light on the trunk lid.


Rear Bumper
88 and 90-91 are identical to the 88-91 CS international.
the 92-95 rear bumper come in two types, single and dual outlet exhaust. they interchange with 92-97 coupe


Taillights
-1988 and 90-91 are identical to the 88-91 coupe
-1992-1995 are identical to the 92-97 coupe base or lip tails.


Reverse Light Bar
-1992-1995 are identical to the 92-97, with respect to compatibility to whether the car had lips taillights or not. The ends under the taillight lenses are different, meaning a base model RLB will work with lip lens, but not the other way around without modification.

[Crazy K]

Exterior Door Handles
CS two door model door handles are CS only. They will fit all CS convertibles and coupes. 1988-1997 coupe -all- will swap.
When replacing a handle, I prefer the swap the handle linkages and all with preference to use the 1993 and earlier linkage to latch mechanism connector. This requires removal of the door panel, although access can sometimes be achieved by removing the small access cover coving the seatbelts on 1988-1994 style door panels
Once you have obtained and are installed a replacement handle, you must adjust for proper function. Do not shut the the door while adjusting the handle. You need to test it as you adjust until you know it is correct, to do so, manually snap the latches shut and test the latch grip with your finger. MOST IMPORTANT! LOCK and UNLOCK the door (do not close it!)once you think your adjustment is correct. then finger test the latch again. adjusting too far will jamb the mechanism when you lock and unlock. adjust enough but not too much.
Why test the latch with the door open?The door will not unlatch if you adjusted it too far. if you have adjusted, or stretched the rod too far, you can correct the issue with the door open, with direct access to the rods, by manually forcing them in the opposite direction than they apply when you pull the handle. You will have to remove the door panel if you have the door closed.


Doorhandle Access Cover
-1988 riveted in place!
-1990 unknown
-1991-1995 convertible only, interchanges 91-95


Door Lock Cylinders
The cylindrical locks will interchange to all GEN 1 W body coupes, although a match set requires the trunk latch as well. A full matched set can be obtained from CS coupes and convertibles, Lumina coupes, and Regal Coupes. Pontiac uses a different trunk lock and is functionally imcompatible.
-1988-1990 IIRC use an earlier type of lock with an older type of keyblank.
Interchanges to all GEN 1 W coupes, except pontiacs as a matched set.
-1991-1995 IIRC use an updated lock with a newer type of keyblank. Interchanges to all GEN 1 W coupes, except pontiacs as a matched set.


Interior Door Handle and Latch mechanism Assembly
-1988 same as 88 production coupes, further interchange unknown
-1990 unknown (assumed to be same as 90 production coupes, further interchange unknown)
-1991-1993 are identical. The mechanism has a chrome handle, and the switch that detects if the door is shut at the latch has two wires.
-1994 is 1994 only. The mechanism has a chrome handle, and the switch that detects if the door is shut at the latch is dual function and has four wires.
-1995 is 1995 only. The mechanism has a black handle, and the switch that detects if the door is shut at the latch has ?????? wires.


Wire harness
Driver Side Door Wire Harness
-1988 same as 88 production coupes, further interchange unknown
-1990 unknown (probably same as 90 production coupes)
-1991-1993 are interchangeable 91-93 (and similiat to 91-93 Coupe), they use several separate plugs to connect to the body harness. the switch that detects if the door is shut at the latch has two wires.
-1994 is 1994 only (and similiar to 94 sedan), they use one big long plug to connect to the body harness. the switch that detects if the door is shut at the latch has four wires. (might be same as 91-93 DSFsedan door's)
-1995 is 1995 only (and similiar to 95-97 sedan ), they use one big long plug to connect to the body harness. the switch that detects if the door is shut at the latch has ???? wires (might be the same 91-93 DSF sedan door)

Passenger Side Door Wire Harness
-1988 same as 88 production coupes.
-1990 unknown (probably same as 90 production coupes)
-1991-1993 are interchangeable 91 to 93 convertible (and probably 91-93 Coupe), and should interchange with 91-93 coupe. They use several separate plugs to connect to the body harness. the switch that detects if the door is shut at the latch has two wires.
-1994 is 1994 only convertible (and probably 94 Coupe), they use one big long plug to connect to the body harness. the switch that detects if the door is shut at the latch has four wires.
-1995 is 1995 only convertible (and probably 95-97 Coupe), they use one big long plug to connect to the body harness. the switch that detects if the door is shut at the latch has ???? wires




Mirrors
IMO all verts had power mirrors. Sometime during or around the 1992 model year, W-bodies stopped receiving metal mirrors and started receiving plastic ones. If you care about the originality or look of your vehicle, replace your mirror with the OEM type, or at least have them match.
The advantage of the metal type is they are resistant to breaking under a moderate impact. The disadvantage is they can damage the door under a severe impact.
metal shell type, OEM on 88 thru mid-92 models, fits all 88-97 CS coupes, convertibles, and sedans.
plastic shell type, OEM on 92 thru 95 models, fits all 88-97 CS coupes, convertibles, and sedans.


Exterior Door Mouldings/Trim/Panel

Upper Exterior Door Moulding/Trim.
Convertible only. DO NOT tug at it. You must remove the door handle, mirror and 'triangular surround', and the interior door panel to remove. the rubber and felt 'squeegee' moulding on the outside of the window is bonded to a metal track that attacked to the inside of the doors outer skin. the trim moulding is bonded to the metal track, and should be left attached if possible.
-1988 use regular trim.
-1990 ?
-1991-1995 identical and interchangeable

Anti-Ding Mouldings
used on most 1988-1993
used on some 1994
these can be interchanged to all

Anti-Ding Edge Strip
seen on some 1988 and 1989 cars.
further info unknown.

Lower door Moulding Panel
-1988 same as 88-91 International
-1990-1991 used the same mouldings that International Series 1988-1991
-1992-1995 Use the same mouldings that upper Series 1992-1997 CS coupes use


Window Glass. and Window Motor/Regulator. detailed in "window glass and related"

Door Panels and Seatbelts detailed in interior.


Compete Door (as a unit)
Doors are vert specific, and have a limited interchange. While vert door are vert only, someone with the ability to fabricate could very well make their own vert door by salvaging the vert only structural parts that were added during fabrication of the original door. The original vert doors show signs of rough hand done work by person(s) using a hand grinder to trim and shape the metal. These added vert only parts are the (1) triangle joining the inner and outed door skins ahead of the mirror at the top front of the door, (2) a metal brace, like an L bracket, welded flush across the top inside skin of the door, (3) the complete door handle sub-structure portion of the door, and (4) the bump stop(s) which limit the upward travel of the window.

Should you be getting any used door, make sure not to cut the wires. Instead have the harness detached from the car body at it's connector, located behind a metal kick panel which is hidden behind the edge of the carpet.

-1988: custom fabricated door. Known to be cut from an ordinary door, no further modification or interchange info exists.

-1990: fits 1990 only, according to info available, might be similar to the 88's door.

-1991-1994 doors can be interchanged. The door is physically/structurally the same, but the components within the door change year to year. There are subtle differences, as listed below:

1991 doors are direct swap 1991 only. They have the 88-91 international type cladding(all vehicles observed so far) which have rivets for the retainer tabs located at a lower height on the outside skin of the door.
...to swap on a 92-93 door, the rivets for the body moulding retainers must be removed, body worked over, and the proper 91 moulding retainers must be attached at the lower correct level.
...to swap on a 94 door, the rivets for the body moulding retainers must be removed, body worked over, and the proper 91 moulding retainers must be attached at the lower correct level. Internal component are different, the door's wiring harness must be completely swapped from the 1994 only to the 91-93 door harness, the locking mechanism must be replaced with a 91-93 mechanism (pigtail and wiring at the switch which detects the door being closed is different, as well as the door to car wiring junction), and the seatbelt as well because it uses a different buckle.

1992-1993 are directly interchangeable. They have the twin fluting design cladding used on 92-97 Coupes.
...to swap a 91 door onto a 92/93, the retainers for the body moulding must be attached at the higher correct level, and the original rivets ground off.
...to swap a 94 door onto a 92/93, the wiring harness must be completely swapped for the 91-93 door harness, the entire latch mechanism must be replaced with a 91-93 only mechanism (pigtail and wiring at the switch which detects the door being closed is different, as well as the door to car wiring junction), and the seatbelt as well because it uses a different buckle.

1994 doors are direct swap 1994 only. They have the twin fluting design cladding used on higher model 92-97 Coupe.
...to swap a 91 door onto a 94, the retainers for the body moulding must be attached at the higher correct level, the originals rivets ground off, the wiring harness must be completely swapped for the 1994 only door harness, the locking mechanism must be replaced with a 94 only mechanism (pigtail and wiring at the switch which detects the door being closed is different, as well as the door to car wiring junction), and the seatbelt as well because it uses a different buckle.
...to swap a 92-93 door onto a 94, the wiring harness must be completely swapped for the 1994 only door harness, the locking mechanism must be replaced with a 94 only mechanism (pigtail and wiring at the switch which detects the door being closed is different, as well as the door to car wiring junction), and the seatbelt as well because it uses a different buckle.

1995 fits 1995 only, this is the only year with no seatbelt in the door. I suspect that a 91-94 door fits the opening correctly, but would have to have the seatbelt tabs ground away, and have the proper trim and weather stripping added to conceal the ground off tabs.
1995 doors are direct swap 1995 only. They have the twin fluting design cladding used on higher model 92-97 Coupe.
if we are to assume that a 1991-1994 CS vert door will fit on the car this is what must be done:
...to swap a 91 door onto a 95, the retainers for the body moulding must be attached at the higher correct level, the originals rivets ground off, the wiring harness must be completely swapped for the 1995 only door harness, the locking mechanism must be replaced with a 95 only mechanism (pigtail and wiring at the switch which detects the door being closed is different, as well as the door to car wiring junction), and the seatbelt tabs must be removed and covered with 95 only door trim.
...to swap a 92-93 door onto a 95, the wiring harness must be completely swapped for the 1995 only door harness, the locking mechanism must be replaced with a 95 only mechanism (pigtail and wiring at the switch which detects the door being closed is different, as well as the door to car wiring junction), and the seatbelt tabs must be removed and covered with 95 only door trim trim.
...to swap a 94 door onto a 95, the wiring harness must be completely swapped for the 1995 only door harness, the locking mechanism must be replaced with a 95 only mechanism (pigtail and wiring at the switch which detects the door being closed is different), and the seatbelt tabs must be removed and covered with 95 only door trim.

[Crazy K]

GLASS
Front Windshield:
interchanges with all gen 1 coupes.


Door Glass Correction
may unoffically interchange with all 88-97 CS coupes
Offically:
88-93 is the same
94 is 94 only
95-97 is the same
this may have to do with teh tint level of the glass?

Rear Quarter Movable Glass
1988, appears to be custom ground.
1990,
1991-95 interchange


Affixed Rear Triangle Glass
permantly attached to the top.
-1991-1995 identical


Rear window
-1988 came with plastic rear window.
-1990 unknown
-1991-1995 interchanges


Window Motors/Regulators
door motors/regulators are side specific. They will interchange will all Gen 1 coupes.

rear quarter glass motor is a generic window motor used on all Gen 1 W-bodies and many other vehicles, insofar as I am aware.
rear quarter glass regulator they are side specific and only on CS convertibles.
1988 unknown
1990 unknown
1991-1995 interchange


Switches see "Convertible Specific Electronics"

[Crazy K]

Most of the interior parts that compose a CS convertible are basically identical to the factory coupe parts. Front seats(excluding white leather), steering column, general electronics, complete dash, carpet, sun visors, center console (some)


Door Panels
-1988 standard coupe door panels
-1990
-1991-1994 door panels are vert only, but can fabricated from standard 88-94 door panels by enlarging the openings for the door control switches, especially the front of the drivers side one. additionally there is a small bracket which attaches from the panel to the interior of the door, which must be replaced with the one from the original vert door panel.
NOTE: door panels vary in appearance, but are always vinyl coated in verts 91 and 92 thought to be the same, and differ in patterning from 93 and 94, which are thought to be the same.
-1995 door panels. *unconfirmed* probably interchange with 95-97 leather equipped coupes, except for the drivers switch plate may be a sedan one mounted in a coupe panel


Rear Interior Trim Tub Panel (proper name?)
This is the gynormous panel that is convertible only upon which the rear speakers are mounted.
1988 interchange?
1990 interchange?
1991-1993 are identical. they have square speaker grills. It will interchange with 1994
1994 is 1994 only, it has a round speaker grill. It will interchange with 1991-1993
1995 has modifications for B pillar mounted seatbelts, and thus fits 1995 only.


Seatbelts
a discussion with Irondogg442 reveals that 1994 door mounted seatbelts have convertible specific part numbers, meaning they are convertible only. This has not yet been tested, confirmed or denied.
I cannot make a claim regarding other years at this time but think they should be identical to coupe versions.

further info pending


Seats

Upholstery material and pattern, Leather and Cloth
-1988 models came with gray international cloth
-1990-1991 used the same pattern leather or cloth seen in 88-91 models.
-1992-1995 leather seats use the same pattern as 92-97 leather
-1992-1993 cloth uses the same material and pattern as 92-93 coupe cloth.
-1994 cloth uses the same material and pattern as 94 ONLY coupe cloth.
-1995 leather came standard in 95.
However, seat in all Gen 1 coupes are interchangeable, although 95+ models have seatbelt clips at the headrests,

Front Seats
All Convertibles have front bucket seats, they are identical to those used in Coupes. Front buckets used in Sedans are identical except for have a fixed non tilting mechanism. However, you can swap the tilt mechanism to make them into Coupe front seats
-1988 gray international cloth buckets, with "AQ9" (in known observed instances)
-1990-1991 same as 88-91 CS models
-1992-1994 same as 92-94 CS Coupe models
-1995 has a seatbelt clip at each headrest, directly interchanges with the 1995-1997 CS Coupes.

Rear Bench Seats
Production Coupes and Sedans sometimes received fold down rear bench seats, but that option was not available on convertibles due to the close proximity of the top motor and top stow.
-1988 Not available in Convertibles
-1990 unknown
-1991 same as 88-91 non-folding coupe rears
-1992-1995 same as non-folding 92-97 coupe rear benches. (unknown if nonfold down seats were made in leather in coupes.)

Rear bucket Seats
1988, standard, identical to 88-91 CS International gray cloth seats
-1990 unknown
-1991 listed in 91 owners manual as an availible CS option, convertible equipped unknown
-1992 not equipped.
-1993-1994 only on 3.4 powered cars.
-1995 known 3.4 prototype equipped, not equipped on known production models

should you locate convertible rear buckets, be sure to rescue the surround panel behind them, and the small metal brace the runs horizontally behind them.

Center Console(s)
(front)
-1988-1994 same as 88-94 many/all have a switch installed ahead of the gearshift for foglight(91-93) or the top switch
-1995 the top is convertible specific. the rest of the console is same as 95-97

Rear Center Console
-1988 not equipped in convertibles with buckets, but regular Coupes with rear buckets got them.
-1990 unknown
-1991 listed in 91 owners manual as an available CS option, convertible equipped unknown
-1992 not equipped.
-1993-1994 only on 3.4 cars appear the same as used in all W bodies(color permitting).
-1995 known 3.4 prototype equipped, not equipped on known production models.

[Crazy K]

Convertible Top Switch
-1988 only, simple rocker switch (located left of cluster) probably borrowed from the j-body line.
-1990-1993 identical, simple rocker switch installed in it's own square 'box' located where typical cutlasses had the fog light and deluxe sound control, left of cluster.
-1994 only, 95 has a different appearance, but will fit and may be functional
-1995 only, 94 has a different appearance, but may fit and may be functional


Convertible Top Module
-1988 unknown
-1990 unknown
-1991-1993 appear identical, examined by me. located behind dash above parking brake.
-1994 unknown-pending
-1995 unknown


Foglight Switch
-1988 appears to be identical to the foglight switch in 93-97 Bonnevilles.
-1990 unknown
-1991 unknown
-1992-1993 interchange, convertible only. - located at front of center console-
-1994 standard switch used only on all equipped 1994 CS models
-1995 standard switch used on all 1995-1997 CS models


Window Switches
Driver Door Window Switch
-1988 uses a regular coupe switch. Rear windows are controled only at the windows!
-1990 unknown
-1991-1994 interchange. Uses a cosmetically modified version of the 1990-1994 sedan drivers door switch with added markings for the auto down features.
the autodown feature associated with the vert is NOT built into the switch, it is built into a separate module.
the swithes can interchange but will have the wrong markings.
-1995 fits 1995 only. Uses a cosmetically modified version of the 1996-1997 sedan drivers door switch with added markings for the auto down features.
the autodown feature associated with the vert is NOT built into the switch, it is built into a separate module.
the swithes can interchange but will have the wrong markings.

Auto Down Module
Basically a glorified relay circuit that operates the automatic windows. each window can autodown by itself, or all four can be rolled down simultaneously by holding the rear windows buttons from the drivers door.
interchange unknown, but so far they look similar.
-1990 unknown
-1991-1994 have the module above the emergency brake.
-1995 may be located beneath the front of the center console.


Driver Door Switch Plate
-1988 regular coupe unit used
-1990 unknown
-1991-1994 known, convertible only.
-1995 unverified, presumed same as 95-97 sedan

Passenger Door Window Switch
-1988 same as coupe
-1990 unknown, presumed same as 88-91
-1991-1994 same as coupe
-1995 unverified, presumed same as presumed same as 95-97 sedan or coupe

Passenger door Switch plate
-1988 same as 88-94 coupe
-1990 unknown
-1991-1994 same as 88-94 coupe
-1995 unverified, presumed same as 95-97 sedan or coupe(respective of ACC passenger switch, if equipped)

Rear Window Switches
-1988 Uses a separate switch borrowed from another line of cars. Each rear window gets one dedicated switch mounted at the window.
-1990 unknown
-1991-1994 interchange. Uses the 1990(?)-1994 sedan rear door switch. The switch is plug and play, but the metal retainer tabs that hold it in are a different length. The tabs can be removed and reinstalled on the switch
-1995 fits 1995 only. Uses a the 1995-1997 style sedan rear door switch. modifications unknown.


Climate control]
1988 convertibles use a manual Climate Control, with the defroster button for the rear window deleted. These early convertibles had plastic rear windows, lacking rear defrost.
Most Convertibles have Automatic Climate Control(abv. ACC), As for to my experience so far, every vert that had ACC also had SWRC, and a deluxe radio compatible with the SWRC.
-1988(89?)-1992 ACC are directly interchangeable, but mount slightly differently that the newer ones, but wiring is the same on all 88(89?)-94 ACCs
-1993-1994 ACC are directly interchangeable, but mount slightly differently that the older ones, but wiring is the same on all 88(89?)-94 ACCs, one flaw of the newer type is they have lack the tinted plastic on the earlier type to cover the display. They appear to have had their lens tinted with a tint that is UV sensitive, and it has faded away on many 93-94 ACCs. (Personally I inserted the tint lens of an earlier one behind the faceplate of my 93 and it corrected the problem.)


Radios
most convertibles use the deluxe type radio with pushbutton controls, this is true if the car had SWRC.
1988 convertibles can have a radio that is a two knob type (models observed) reminiscent of the type used in other Oldsmobile models. in the late 80's, or can have the more deluxe type similar to the one with SWRC, but not SWRC compatible.
radios are the same as offered in Regular Cutlass Supreme,
-1988-1994 will interchange (except 88 radios are not SWRC compatible)
-1995-1997 will interchange.


SWRC
not used in the 1988 model Convertibles
same as regular coupe models
-1988(89?)-1993 same
-1994-1995 same as 1994-1997 CS models.

[Crazy K]

TOP:
the hydraulic cylinders are not the same used on Chevy Cavaliers. I have found no source for replacement ones, save for E-bay on occasion.

The rest of the mechanism, as well as replacement tops are known to be identical 91-95,
-1988 top and mechnism is distinctly different.
-1990 unknown at this time.
-1991-1995 tops are the same and interchangeable


Cups
pending

Latches
pend

latch surround mounte id widnshild topper
pend.


[i]more to come![/i

[GP1138]

http://www.polar.icestorm.com/sfl/cu...e_top_info.pdf

Just wanted to add this, as I didn't know if anyone knew it existed still.