Can you put the 1984 glass sail panels on a 1986?

yes

Yes, if you are putting the entire sail panel. Its easy to do if you have the mounting hardware. The early panels have 2 small metal bolt ends that slide into a metal retaining clip. The newer ones used a plastic rivet type nub. Then there is one larger bolt end that has a nut screw on it through the B pillar. The newer ones have a metal clip that slips onto the panel and that bolts through the B pillar. The bolt ends are all attached to the sail panel, but they can break. If the sail panels you want to put on have all the bolt ends and you have the retaining clips and nuts, then putting it on is easier than putting the later type on. Just slip the retaining clips onto the plastic body panel over the mounting holes. Push the panel on and then put the bolt on through the B pillar. The hardest part will be removing the inside B pillar panel. But you will have to do that anyway to remove the other sail panels. I wish I had some pictures to help explain better.

[This message has been edited by liv4God (edited 02-10-2018).]

I did this on one of my cars, but when I removed the windows at the yard, I didn't realize that the windows had the different mounts as liv4god described. I did, however remember what they kind of looked like.
At the time, I was working in a machine shop and had access to a good variety of nuts, bolts, clips, and whatnot. I used some U nuts. This may not be the correct one, but it's just for illustration to show you what it might look like, if you need substitutes. These are designed to accept a threaded screw, but they are also available for push-in pin type. This site or AuVeCo.Com are good sources of various automotive fasteners, as well as Fastenal, who carries many of these manufacturer's products.

http://www.clipsandfastener...ew_Size_p/a10064.htm

quote Originally posted by liv4God: Yes, if you are putting the entire sail panel. Its easy to do if you have the mounting hardware. The early panels have 2 small metal bolt ends that slide into a metal retaining clip. The newer ones used a plastic rivet type nub. Then there is one larger bolt end that has a nut screw on it through the B pillar. The newer ones have a metal clip that slips onto the panel and that bolts through the B pillar. The bolt ends are all attached to the sail panel, but they can break. If the sail panels you want to put on have all the bolt ends and you have the retaining clips and nuts, then putting it on is easier than putting the later type on. Just slip the retaining clips onto the plastic body panel over the mounting holes. Push the panel on and then put the bolt on through the B pillar. The hardest part will be removing the inside B pillar panel. But you will have to do that anyway to remove the other sail panels. I wish I had some pictures to help explain better.

"Newer ones", being 87 and 88? Just 88?
I cant remember.

quote Originally posted by 2.5: "Newer ones", being 87 and 88? Just 88? I cant remember.

84-85 are the glass panels and 86-88 are the plastic. I probably should have said later instead of newer.

After using both I've noted a few pros and cons to both styles in case someone is debating which style to go with while replacing:
Glass- Pros: better quality, lasts longer, stays shiny, doesn't dull or crack (unless impacted)
Cons: Considerably heavier, Glass panel is smaller (Due to the rubber surround holding the glass) and does give a slightly more aged look

Plastic- Pros: Light, readily available and cheap to replace the plastic panel (although with the recent announcement of Fiero Sales end this may not be so in the future :'\ )
Cons: Less durability, fades in sun, becomes brittle and cracks, can look cheap if not in good condition

I believe only the 84 were glass and used the metal post and clip. Both my 85GT's were plastic and used a plastic expander pin as an attachment.

quote Originally posted by liv4God: 84-85 are the glass panels and 86-88 are the plastic. I probably should have said later instead of newer.

Thanks

I previously thought only 84s were glass, but what I meant in my question to what I quoted was regarding only the way they attach.

Fierofool cleared it up I think.

[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 02-12-2018).]

2.5, I am in error. I went back into my hard copy files and looked at my first 85 after it was in an accident that removed the passenger side quarter window. The metal clip like used on the 84 was present. A larger hole would need be drilled in the flange to mount the later versions.

Thanks.

So as far as attachment 84-85 are the same and 86-88 are the same?
Are 84's still the only glass ones?

Waaaay back in that time I was working for the vendor who made the glass panels. It was a running change in 1985, most cars getting plastic, but the glass ones were more expensive, so they used up the supply.