TOP-WELL SNAPS MYSTERY?

[vinnie]

image_46933.jpg Members, while checking convertible top well for trash prior to folding the top I notice 3 snaps on each side of well floor. One in each aft corner and two close by a few inches apart in fore & aft positions. Did a search (6 pages worth) with no results. What are these snaps for? Bottom of photo is facing forward, driver's side.

[Sealy]

Snaps hold the boot well together, as opposed to a sewn seam. You can unsnap them to get access to things underneath. Rather thoughtful of Ford.

[vinnie]

Sealy, there's nothing to unsnap. These appear to be receptacles waiting to have something snapped thereto.?
I shoulda took a picture but now it's garaged and covered.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

I would guess they are unsnapped and need to be snapped. Has anyone worked on your bird?

[vinnie]

Not since I've owned it - 3 months.

[Sealy]

Has anyone worked on your bird?

Gosh, that sounds like a personal question.

Back to the subject - - - are the snaps in fabric or actually in the floor? Going from memory, which is dangerous at my age, I only remember the fabric boot snaps. I have to clean Merlot today for a meet-up tomorrow. If no one comes up with something better, I'll check this afternoon and get back to you.

[vinnie]

Snaps are in the floor. Could it be that whatever snaps to it is missing? Would that have been removable?

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Gosh, that sounds like a personal question.

Sealy.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Snaps are in the floor. Could it be that whatever snaps to it is missing? Would that have been removable?

The snaps we are talking about are half on the outboard fabric of the top well and the center portion of fabric. So if you have only had the Thunderbird for three months, chances are someone has left them unsnapped. They are on both sides of the well.

[Lakebum]

Per the Ford Workshop manual the piece you are looking for is called "well sling interior trim cover" I know the one in my 05 was only snapped in 1 or 2 places when I got it. It is
removable.. if not wadded up down on the mechanism it might have gone the way of the wild goose. Only part # in the manual is 54640. Might find one on fleabay but I suspect it would be a crapshoot due to nomenclature. Better of trying to locate a wrecked one and go from there or maybe have a canvas shop make one??

[vinnie]

Ok, thanks all for your the input but . . .what is it for? Why do I need it?

[Lakebum]

Ok, thanks. . .what is it for? Why do I need it?

Just a "catch all" as I see it. Keeps "stuff" from getting down to low to retrieve and jam things up??

[steelblue5505]

Without a picture it is difficult to determine what exactly Vinnie is questioning about. There are factory installed snaps on both driver & past sides of the cloth well or pocket that the soft top folds down into. Those snaps undo the cloth pocket for access to the hydraulics to raise & lower the soft top.
Also what Vinnie may have is snaps that were part of an after market wind screen. Some of these screens used a strap with a snap on it to help hold the screen up right & in proper place.
A photo would certainly be a help to help us all.

[vinnie]

SnapShot.JPG

Ok, bottom of photos are driver side facing front

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

The mating snaps should be right there under those.