Tonneau Cover (Space / Use)

[Erict]

I have gone topless a couple of days now, and I find the Tonneau cover a real hastle.

Its takes a ton of room in the trunk, it can only be fitted in folded, and the fold shows up when you first put the cover back on.

Further the snaps are cheap, I broke two now. Fixed them with pop rivets.

Your input on use and in car storage would be nice.

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[JimBob]

I, for one, would sure like to see Ford come up with a fix for this...I'd be more than willing to pay for an 'updated' cover, even if it doesn't come out until the 2003 models.

This, along with the scratches from the hardtop, needs to be addressed by Ford...

 

[RTBRD]

Eric,

Follow this link to Dot's website:

Boot cover how to

 

[txktom]

I agree that the tonneau cover is poorly designed. After carefully aligning the snaps--not an easy job--I have to hit the last two or three snaps pretty hard with my fist to get them to snap, no matter how carefully I try to align them. There's no way my wife, who has arthritis in her hands, could never put that cover on.

There was an earlier discussion concerning people who were working on a "soft" boot cover. They had a prototype made and were testing it. I haven't heard anything since, and I can't find the discussion thread.

This would be a great aftermarket item, but since there are so few Tbirds being built, I doubt if it would be cost-effective to develop a better cover.

 

[Tom M]

txktom:

The soft boot thread is at:
http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000963.html

The latest news is that Keith has a full cover and a cockpit cover ready for pictures. This should happen on Sunday. Also the digitizing and final pricing of the soft boot cover should be done by Friday, then Keith will submit his order so we're making progress!

Tom M

 

[frogluver]

I just put my tonneau cover on this afternoon and the sides are not flush with the body of the car. They stick up quite a bit, in fact there is a Mequires car wax ad in the current Hot Rod Magazine showing a black T Bird with the same problem ! I'm afraid to drive with it on, as it appears that the wind could get under it and force it up. If anyone knows how to fix this , please let me know.
Thanks,
Donna

 

[KYbluebird]

The sides must be tucked in, under the body, not on top. This should be done before the snaps are attached.

------------------
Ron

VIN #7729, seq. #7505
partial blue premium, no top

 

[57 bluebird]

Donna, Check RTBIRD's reply a few messages back an click on "boot cover how to" great pictures aon how it should look

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2002 Black/Black/Full Red
1957 Starmist Blue

 

[Tbird Lover]

I install my boot cover by myself all the time and have no problems at all. I think the trick is to position it correctly & make sure the sides are tucked under before snapping anything. Also, the snaps are somewhat maneuverable so you can get them lined up exactly.

 

[fdthird]

I am frankly a bit surprised that Ford did not do a better job with this cover on the T-Bird. It sounds very similar to the boot that came with my Mustang convertible that I have had on the car only about a half dozen times in the 2 years I've owned her. Ford Parts had what they call a Mini-Toneau cover that replaces the boot and also covers the rear seat. I bought this last year (about $90)and use it exclusively. All I had to do was replace 6 screws in the trunk (they hold on the molding around the back of the top well) with screws with snap heads. Then the cover snaps on to them and the rest of the installation is easy using existing connections. The cover is soft vinyl and folds up to a nice small package in the trunk. Much better than the hard/soft boot that comes with the car.

Saw the way the top worked on a friend's '86 Merecdes SL roadster over the weekend and wondered why Ford couldn't come up with something simple and more elegant!