Tonneau Covers -- Soft

[Katxoxo]

The soft tonneau that was left in my recently purchased bird is pretty beat up (fabric is stained, worn; snaps dislodged from holes, etc).

I know TBC has two versions of the soft tonneau. Anyone buy either of them? And, what is your opinion of them?


I rather not buy the Ford replacement -- as I think the fabric is not likely to hold up as well as leather or vinyl.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[MATBird]

Re: Tonneau Covers -- Soft

Do a search and you'll find plenty of soft and hard tonneaus. Single and two piece.
There's a great one from a member here, from I think MD. Look him up. It's a two piece with nice head rests.

[Guest]

Re: Tonneau Covers -- Soft

Kathleen, if you know of a good auto upholsterer in your area, you could take your existing cover to him/her to see if it can be re-covered and generally fixed up such as installing new snaps. I did that recently with mine and was extremely happy with the results. You can even choose a new colour if you want as I did (from black to white).

[ChromeDome]

Re: Tonneau Covers -- Soft

Check this thread for a look at the two I had made for my car. http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...light=Red+boot Any good upholstery shop should be able to recover your original. My white cover is a recover of the original (Cost $200) and the red was made from scratch. (Cost $325) I have used this shop for several years and I'm sure he gave me a sizeable discount.

[Katxoxo]

Re: Tonneau Covers -- Soft

Ken - thanks so much for your advice and providing the link. I think the white looks awesome, although you seemingly were not as happy with it as you would have liked (in your thread from last year).

The red looks great too!


I think I will take your advice -- and before I invest in a new tonneau -- take it to a local upholsterer and see what they can do and for how much. Many, many, thanks!

[Ski]

Re: Tonneau Covers -- Soft

Bunny Lou (Black Bird) can recover them and have it embroidered with a Thunderbird as well. You choose the color.

[timothy]

Re: Tonneau Covers -- Soft

Purchased mine from Thunderbird Concepts and am really happy. Very inexpensive and takes up very little room in the trunk. Room is kind of at a premium as I'm sure you know.

[Black Bird]

Re: Tonneau Covers -- Soft

Kathleen

Sent you a PM. Bunny Lou

[5bird7]

Re: Tonneau Covers -- Soft

Kathleen, once you get a replacement boot cover, be sure to keep the snaps lubricated. A simple bar of soap is all that is needed. That will help keep the snaps from pulling out of any fabric, vinyl or leather boot you have made. (and would have saved the original if the owner had known to do that). There's even a tool that has been made by another member here that helps you unsnap the snaps.

[Katxoxo]

Re: Tonneau Covers -- Soft

Thanks!

[jaguar72]

Re: Tonneau Covers -- Soft

Even though my original 2002 boot is in good shape, I wanted something easier to store in the trunk so I purchased the "OEM Premium" soft boot from TBC and like it very much. It installs/uninstalls very easily and is quite lovely to look at. Please be aware that I haven't driven the car yet with it in place so I can't make any judgement about wind resistense or performance at speed (or, obviously, longevity, since I've only had it a couple of weeks).

As an added bonus, I believe that the boot is on sale (!) at the moment from TBC. Please note I have absolutely no connection with TBC other than as a customer (the boot and floor/trunk mats - which are supposed to be a surprise Christmas present from Mrs. Jaguar72...).

Incidentally, for those with the 2002 boot, if it has ripped or broken some of the edge stitching (which can happen given its semi-rigid construction; a lot of stress is placed on the stitching when the boot is folded...) it can be quite easily repaired using a Speedy Stitcher sewing awl (or equivalent). I used coarse black thread (waxed), the large Speedy Stitcher needle and opened up the existing holes using a straight automotive pick; there are several layers of cloth and plastic to go through. The ripped area was about a foot long and I overlapped it on both ends after knotting off the original stitching on both sides of the break. The finished job is indistinguishable (well, it's neater...) from the original and is much, much stronger. It took me about 45 minutes. If you go this route you might want to, ah, well, practice first so you don't run the needle into you thigh or the palm of your hand...(no joke, I've done it...it makes you curse). I have no connection with Speedy Stitcher Sewing Awl company either.

V/R,

Jaguar72

[Katxoxo]

Re: Tonneau Covers -- Soft

Thanks Gary for your feedback. Let me know how you like it once outside and touring around. I am not in any hurry at the moment, since it is starting to get chilly here. Although, I will grab any chance I get to put the top down!

[Katxoxo]

Re: Tonneau Covers -- Soft

Figured I update with the outcome.

After going around to a few local upholstery places and getting prices from them and other sources, I decided it would be cheaper to go with the TBC Soft Boot Premium given its recent price decrease.

After doing my homework, I had decided to 'table' the repair and/or purchase -- as it was getting cold and damp here -- but the past two weekends have been in the 60s -- so I decided to hunker down my money and get it now. While it is pouring and windy today, tomorrow and the next several days are supposed to be upper 50s and mid 60s and sunny!

The TBC premium cover arrived yesterday and I just opened the box. Of course, I have yet to install it -- but I have to say the quality on this thing is better than I anticipated. I am sure having the original boot/tonneau repaired would have been a good choice also, I certainly like the way this one is able to fold and stow better than the original.


Thanks to everyone in this thread -- and for Lou's PM to me. I appreciate everyone's advice and time.