Ford Thunderbird 2003 Quick Reference Manual

Maintaining Your Removable Top
Proper maintenance of your removable top will help you enjoy your ownership
experience more fully in the miles to come. Since the tape provided is not
designed to exceed 3 months or 4,000 miles (with the top on the vehicle), it's
important to apply new tape every time you put the top on your car.
This Quick Reference Guide is not intended to replace your vehicle Owner's Guide which
contains more detailed information concerning the features of your vehicle as well as
Tape Removal
important safety warnings designed to help reduce the risk of injury to you and your
occupants. Please read your entire Owner's Guide carefully as you begin learning about your
To remove the old tape, simply pull it off. If you notice adhesive residue on your vehicle, clean the
new Thunderbird and refer to the appropriate sections when questions arise. surface with isopropyl alcohol or a very light non-abrasive soap.
All information contained in this Quick Reference Guide was accurate at the time of duplication.
Applying New Tape
We reserve the right to change features, operation and/or functionality of any vehicle
Don't worry about positioning the tape perfectly on your first attempt; the tape won't bond completely
specification at any time.
until it has been in place for more than 24 hours. Only use the tape that has been approved by Ford for
Your Ford dealer is the best source for the most current information. use on painted surfaces. Before applying new tape, make sure the surface of your vehicle is clean and dry.
The temperature of the body surface should not be lower than 65 degrees or higher than 90 degrees.
✦ Retract the convertible top to the
*F3W6J19G217CB*
open position.
✦
Wipe the surface with alcohol, using the lint-free
3W6J-19G217-CB cloth that came with your vehicle.
✦ Select the piece that was cut for the driver-side
December 2002
front (DSF) area of your vehicle and remove the
Second Printing
Ford Thunderbird
backing paper.
Quick Reference Guide Litho in U.S.A.
Installing, Removing & Storing The Boot
When the convertible top is in the stored (down) position, you have the option
of covering it with the convertible top boot. When not in use, the boot can be
conveniently stored in your trunk.
Installation Storage
01 Unfasten the Velcro strap on the boot.
Unfold the boot and place the boot across the
trim panel.
02 Starting on the driver side, tuck the boot
under the sheet metal, along the side.
03
Fasten the three snaps on the boot to the
trim panel snaps.
04 Walk around to the passenger side and tuck
the boot under the sheet metal, along the side, be
sure to tuck the Velcro strap under the boot.
05 Fasten the three snaps (on the passenger
side of the boot) to the trim panel snaps.
06 Tuck the boot under the panel all of the
way across the back.
Removal
01 Unfasten all three driver side snaps and all
✦ Starting at the rear of the door opening, apply
three passenger side snaps.
the tape to the quarter panel. At the rear corner
curve, fold the flap downward so it wraps around
02
Untuck both sides and the rear of the boot
the edge of the sheet metal. Slowly use
by sliding it forward.
pressure while applying the tape, pressing to
smooth out wrinkles and air bubbles.
03 Fold and fasten the Velcro strap.
✦ Repeat the above steps for the passenger front
trim piece, the driver-side rear (DSR) and
passenger-side rear (PSR) pieces.
Installing & Removing Your Hard-Top
Thunderbird's removable top requires special attention in terms of removal, installation and maintenance. In fact, it should be removed every 3 months or 3000 miles for rear
seal and rear deck cleaning. Before installing or removing your top, please make sure your vehicle is parked on a level surface and be sure you have someone standing by to help
you. (The top weighs approximately 84 lbs.)
Installation
01 Position the 01 While the convertible top is in the raised position, make sure it is completely
boot with the exterior clean and dry. Lower the convertible top. Open the doors, lower the windows and
surface facing up. clean the area where the removable top is mounted to the body with a clean,
damp cloth.
02 Fold the outboard
sixth of the boot inward, step 3 02 Make sure the wheels on your storage rack are locked; remove the
exterior surface to protective cover and fastening strap.
exterior surface. Repeat
for the other side. 03 Confirm that the top's rear locking levers are rotated to the fully
open position.
03
Flip the boot; fold
04
the doubled-up ends Ask someone to assist you in carrying the top to the vehicle; lower the rear
toward the center of the step 4 of the top so that the pins are placed into the bracket receivers. (The receivers
should be lubricated once a year. Apply a small amount of silicon lubricant to the
boot. Repeat for the
other side. receivers. Spray the lubricant directly into the holes to avoid damaging trim parts.)
04 Fold the boot in 05 Rotate the rear locking levers approximately one-half turn toward the front
of the vehicle. (The levers are on the rear left and right hand sides of the vehicle.)
half and secure it with
the Velcro strap.
step 6 06 Position the front of the top so that the locating tabs on each side are
05 Place the folded placed in the mounting castings.
boot in the storage area
07 Use the mounting key (located in the tool bag) to loosely install the two
in the front of the trunk.
To prevent the boot mounting screws and the left and right sides of the windscreen; give them two or
three turns. You'll note that the screws in the windscreen panel of the vehicle are
from getting dirty it
may be stored in the already set in place.
step 8
plastic bag.
08 Pull the rear locking levers fully forward and slightly downward to lock the
rear of the roof in place. The rear levers are locked when you feel the spring
engage; each lever will point toward the front of the vehicle.
09 Use the mounting key to fully tighten the front mounting screws. After
driving approximately 30 to 40 miles, check the front mounting screws to confirm
they're secure.
Removal
01 Prepare the storage rack to accept the removable top. Place the bumper
end of the uprights on the floor, with the wheels facing you.
02 Firmly squeeze the two chrome locking buttons (top and bottom) of one leg
and rotate the leg upward until it locks in place. Repeat this step for the other leg.
step 2
03 Turn the rack over on its wheels and place it on a flat surface. Make sure the
center "T" section is fully locked by attempting to move it downward without
releasing the chrome locking buttons.
04 Push down on the two plastic levers on the front wheels to lock the wheels
in place. If you plan to drive with the convertible top down, install the tonneau
step 4 cover. Make sure the cover snaps are fastened securely and the cover is firmly
tucked in place.
05
Remove the mounting key from the tool bag (located in the trunk).
06 Using the mounting key, fully loosen the two screws at the front of the top
(one on each side of the windscreen). The screws in the casting areas are set in
step 6 place.
07 Undo the locking levers at the rear right and left sides of the vehicle. Rotate
each lever rearward while applying slight upward force to the top.
08 Remove the top and place it on the storage rack, with the rear of the top
resting on the rubber bumpers of the lower legs.
step 7
09
Secure the top to the storage rack with the strap assembly included
with the rack.
10 Use the cover that has been provided to keep the top clean when not in use.
step 8