- First Name
- John
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2021
- Threads
- 36
- Messages
- 1,955
- Reaction score
- 2,583
- Location
- Charleston SC
- Vehicle(s)
- 2021 Bronco 4dr OBX MIC 2.7 Rear Locker A51 Roast
- Your Bronco Model
- Outer Banks
- Thread starter
- #1
I received the Gearshade shade top Feb 28 for my 4dr MIC top Outer Banks. The installation, including some attachment design modifications I kept at, took over 3 months. I thought I'd use it occasionally, but ended up with a -semi-permanent install. It would remove in about 10 minutes. I leave it on partly because the SC sun is pretty hot with top off. However, the web fabric doesn't ruin the "open" experience like I thought. And, when stretched tight, Gearshade doesn't reduce headroom enough to bother me with the MIC top on, so it stays on.
Modifications: the aft straps supplied for the C/D pillar are impossible to use as directed. Too short to tighten with rear cap on. So I made a new design. Also, one of the metal plates for the latch didn't fit. I had to grind it. I think i was sent two of one side, but they're not marked.
Its nice and open on the inside. And, the SC Flag artwork is nice.
Installed metal plates so latches could turn with allen wrench through the grommet in the mesh. One plate didnt fit, didnt hear back Gearshade after 1 email. So I ground it off.
Ground off to fit, but then bolts didnt line up underneath. Probably the wrong part.
I put a handle on an old allen wrench for convenience. Parks Auto mixes cans of Are-51 paint. Hard to find the hole when installing after dark!
I prefer to leave the rear cap on.
The side attachment fittings of expanding rubber bushings supplied by Gearshade, all work well on the sides.
Panels off for open air driving
Front clips work, but have to come off before re-installing the roof panels. Hopefully, a better solution will come
Below, an illustration from Gearshades web site. The instructions didnt all match my 4dr hardtop, may have been from a different model.
The supplied straps to attach to the C pillar arch top dont work unless the rear cap is off, there's no way to tighten them. So I used a twistable bungee system for a better install for me
Below: Illustration from Gearshade
Above is the illustration from Gearshade's web site. Below is my install, with my Gear tie system. The red bungee cord holds a beach umbrella against the ceiling on the back side.
I found that the 30 inch Gear tie fit nicely around the C pillar Top, which I twisted from the rear to attach and made into a loop in the front. Unfortunately, the built in loops are only on the 24". The 6" ties are perfect to attach the loop to the shade's grommet, and are reasonably removable. I found that carabiners dont work, because the shade needs to be taut.
Modifications: the aft straps supplied for the C/D pillar are impossible to use as directed. Too short to tighten with rear cap on. So I made a new design. Also, one of the metal plates for the latch didn't fit. I had to grind it. I think i was sent two of one side, but they're not marked.
Its nice and open on the inside. And, the SC Flag artwork is nice.
Installed metal plates so latches could turn with allen wrench through the grommet in the mesh. One plate didnt fit, didnt hear back Gearshade after 1 email. So I ground it off.
Ground off to fit, but then bolts didnt line up underneath. Probably the wrong part.
I put a handle on an old allen wrench for convenience. Parks Auto mixes cans of Are-51 paint. Hard to find the hole when installing after dark!
I prefer to leave the rear cap on.
The side attachment fittings of expanding rubber bushings supplied by Gearshade, all work well on the sides.
Panels off for open air driving
Front clips work, but have to come off before re-installing the roof panels. Hopefully, a better solution will come
Below, an illustration from Gearshades web site. The instructions didnt all match my 4dr hardtop, may have been from a different model.
The supplied straps to attach to the C pillar arch top dont work unless the rear cap is off, there's no way to tighten them. So I used a twistable bungee system for a better install for me
Below: Illustration from Gearshade
Above is the illustration from Gearshade's web site. Below is my install, with my Gear tie system. The red bungee cord holds a beach umbrella against the ceiling on the back side.
I found that the 30 inch Gear tie fit nicely around the C pillar Top, which I twisted from the rear to attach and made into a loop in the front. Unfortunately, the built in loops are only on the 24". The 6" ties are perfect to attach the loop to the shade's grommet, and are reasonably removable. I found that carabiners dont work, because the shade needs to be taut.
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