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I did a dumb thing last week. But after noodling on solutions the next day, I believe I’ve arrived at the ideal fix.
It was raining on and off all day. While it wasn’t, I opened the top to position one and drove to a friend’s house. Upon arriving, I lowered/closed the top in case it rained while I was there, but I didn’t clamp down the latches up front, since I planned to open it back up when leaving if weather permitted.
Later when I left, it wasn’t raining, but I decided to leave the top closed and remembered I needed to clamp the latches. But then I got in the Bronco and took my time before leaving, picking out something good on CarPlay to listen to. By the time I backed out, I’d forgotten to close the latches. Got to about 60 mph on the highway and the top violently blew open to position one. I began to pull over but before I could, I heard another loud sound like it was trying to jerk back some more.
Pulled over and inspected everything. No damage to the top itself or the top frame, but four of the six plastic buckles used to attach the side plastic window panels had broken (two of three on each side) just from the force of the top trying to blow back. The side tynes on the three-pronged male end (attached with sewn-on strap to the window panel) had broken.
I considered my options. Get replacement buckles (at least the broken male piece)? I’d have to have a pro securely re-sew the strap back around it. Order a new window panel altogether? No idea even if the cost since parts aren’t available, and it would take forever.
For the temporary solution, I secured the male and female components together with zip ties. Later in the day I found these replacement buckles. I ordered four. Can use the male piece of same to replace mine without any cutting or sewing. The Bronco female piece is secured to the top with a grommet, so I’m hoping I can leave that in place and that the male piece of this product will fit the same (I ordered the same size).
Will update when it arrives as to whether it works. These appear to be stronger quality than the factory buckles anyway. I’m hoping my stupidity will at least net a perfect fix that others can use for reference, because the factory buckles are weak and may break at some point without stupidity. If all goes well, this fix is ideal, without professional assistance, instead of a shitty “solution” like zip-tying forever.
It was raining on and off all day. While it wasn’t, I opened the top to position one and drove to a friend’s house. Upon arriving, I lowered/closed the top in case it rained while I was there, but I didn’t clamp down the latches up front, since I planned to open it back up when leaving if weather permitted.
Later when I left, it wasn’t raining, but I decided to leave the top closed and remembered I needed to clamp the latches. But then I got in the Bronco and took my time before leaving, picking out something good on CarPlay to listen to. By the time I backed out, I’d forgotten to close the latches. Got to about 60 mph on the highway and the top violently blew open to position one. I began to pull over but before I could, I heard another loud sound like it was trying to jerk back some more.
Pulled over and inspected everything. No damage to the top itself or the top frame, but four of the six plastic buckles used to attach the side plastic window panels had broken (two of three on each side) just from the force of the top trying to blow back. The side tynes on the three-pronged male end (attached with sewn-on strap to the window panel) had broken.
I considered my options. Get replacement buckles (at least the broken male piece)? I’d have to have a pro securely re-sew the strap back around it. Order a new window panel altogether? No idea even if the cost since parts aren’t available, and it would take forever.
For the temporary solution, I secured the male and female components together with zip ties. Later in the day I found these replacement buckles. I ordered four. Can use the male piece of same to replace mine without any cutting or sewing. The Bronco female piece is secured to the top with a grommet, so I’m hoping I can leave that in place and that the male piece of this product will fit the same (I ordered the same size).
Will update when it arrives as to whether it works. These appear to be stronger quality than the factory buckles anyway. I’m hoping my stupidity will at least net a perfect fix that others can use for reference, because the factory buckles are weak and may break at some point without stupidity. If all goes well, this fix is ideal, without professional assistance, instead of a shitty “solution” like zip-tying forever.
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