Covers and boots

[Ski]

My wife and I took the hardtop off this evening. I was hoping the hardtop cover and boot were on top of the convertable top. No such luck. I'm waiting for the dealer to tell me if he has them but my guess is NOT! So my question is where's a good source to buy both, other than a Ford dealer? I understand the 2002 boot is kind of stiff so I was wondering if anyone is using an aftermarket product.

I did a search on the forum which until now has been very successful to finding answers to questions - and sometimes answers to questions I haven't even thought of yet. It's a great site.

[Borla Babe]

Re: Covers and boots

It would be very easy for the previous owner to forget to include the hardtop cover and boot. Those things are usually tucked away somewhere safe when not in use, so out of site, out of mind. The hardtop tool and hardtop stand get tucked away easily too and forgotten. Contact your dealer and ask if he will call the previous owner and find out if he still has these items. Good luck to you!

[Blue Heaven]

Re: Covers and boots

Ski,
Welcome to the site. I recently worked with a custom upholsterer to create a direct replacement for the 2002 boot that is leather covered and rolls up to about 1/2 the size of the stock boot when it's folded. The "frame" of the boot is made of ABS. Snaps are added at the stock locations so they line up with the receivers already mounted on the car. It is padded and is also finished with a suede type material on the underside. The finished product is lighter and easier to install then the stock unit. I can send you a couple of pictures of the one we did for my car if you like.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Covers and boots

If you're not able to obtain them from the previous owner, you can probably order replacements through your Ford dealer or through Thunderbird Concepts.

http://www.thunderbirdconcepts.com/index.htm

Also, Team Ford here in Las Vegas, does a pretty brisk parts business on the Internet and many here have ordered parts through them as well.

http://www.teamford.com/?http://www.teamfordparts.com

Also, eBay can be a good source for used tonneau covers as well.

To the best of my knowledge, the tonneau cover used in 2002 was discontinued and if you ordered one through the Ford dealer, they replaced it with the type used in 2003 and later which will fit your 02 T-Bird as well.

[ChromeDome]

Re: Covers and boots

Ski, Check this thread. http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ad.php?t=21670
He is making a red boot for my car now. I should have it around Oct. 10. I will post pictures when I get it. Ken

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Covers and boots

I have this one for the NM, from ThunderbirdConcepts.

Great price too. $159.00


http://www.thunderbirdconcepts.com/softboot.htm

[Leroy]

Re: Covers and boots

Ski, I can't believe anyone would buy one of these cars with out completly checking that all the components are there. Did you buy the car without even looking at the convertible top? It would be like buying a used car with out opening the hood. Better look and see if you have a spare tire. Good Luck, Leroy

[04birdman]

Re: Covers and boots

there are guys all over this site that bought cars without boots, top covers and racks....all these items are avail @ times on ebay....also you can find boots for sale on this site from time to time...i am lookin @ having a boot made for my bird...the orig looks to me like it was some old packing material that was laying around ford,nobody knew what to do with...good luck and welcome...

[joe166]

Re: Covers and boots

Ski, I can't believe anyone would buy one of these cars with out completly checking that all the components are there. Did you buy the car without even looking at the convertible top? It would be like buying a used car with out opening the hood. Better look and see if you have a spare tire. Good Luck, Leroy

I can't believe you would rag on someone who had already bought their car about their supposed lack of acumen and intelligence in the manner in which they bought it.

I believe that lots of people would do the same. Obviously you are too smart for that, though. Must be nice to never make a mistake.

[Ray]

Re: Covers and boots

Brother Ski, send me a PM if you haven't found a boot. I had a custom leather one made, and I've never used the original one.

(Central highlands, 1970)

[Leroy]

Re: Covers and boots

joe166, If you believe alot of people would do the same, you must be a car salesman. When I desided to buy a Thunderbird, I first read as much as I could find about the car and looked at what they were selling for and what NADA and Kelly rated the values at. As I began shopping around for a TBird I was shocked at the stupidity of the salesmen that were trying to sell some of these cars. I had one salesman tell me that the car was a coupe and the top doesn't come off. I've made alot of mistakes , but I learned from them and I've learned from mistakes others have made. Leroy

[Ski]

Re: Covers and boots

I didn't mean to start an argument here folks, just ask a simple question. I take full responsibility for not checking or asking to have the hardtop removed and soft top raised. My bad! Not coming with the car is less an issue then just finding replacements. After all, it's 7 years old, all the stuff on me doesn't necessarily work anymore either. I lost my hair too, and cannot replace that. Chill my new friends.

Leroy, you could make a career out of dressing me down for committing stupids. It happens. Had I checked I'm not sure what difference it would have made anyway.

Thanks for the input. I'm still waiting to hear from the dealer and will act depending on that.

[AZTB]

Re: Covers and boots

John...love your avatar.

As a whole, this site's full a great people wanting to help. Some of us get testy cuz we're old, and they won't let us out of our rooms for the afternoon. But after we're sprung and drive with the tops down for awhile, we perk right up!

Welcome (love the Danang shot, too!)

[creekmore]

Re: Covers and boots

John

My car is identical to yours, it came with the 02 original equipment boot cover which works and looks great. The only problem is that it takes up most of the trunk space when not in use.
I bought the soft boot cover from thunderbird concepts which looks and fits great. The black cover really looks good on the black car. Its comes in a nylon bag that fits great in the storage ares of the trunk leaving plenty of room for a suitcase and cooler. The only problem I've had is the side flaps won't stay tucked in at highway speeds.
I use the 02 boot cover for day trips and the soft cover when going out of town.



JIM

[joe166]

Re: Covers and boots

joe166, If you believe alot of people would do the same, you must be a car salesman. When I desided to buy a Thunderbird, I first read as much as I could find about the car and looked at what they were selling for and what NADA and Kelly rated the values at. As I began shopping around for a TBird I was shocked at the stupidity of the salesmen that were trying to sell some of these cars. I had one salesman tell me that the car was a coupe and the top doesn't come off. I've made alot of mistakes , but I learned from them and I've learned from mistakes others have made. Leroy

No, I am not a salesman of any type good thing I have steady income.

I still think demeaning others is kind of stinky for this type of thing. Stuff happens. I have seen the bumper sticker.