Clinched Spider Top Install

[CJJon]

Well, after a slight setback I got the Clinched spider top installed. Got to say, it really is slick. At least my 83 year old mom thinks so!

Here is the box.

Be careful as each corner has a little surprise under the packing tape. I sliced Hell out of my pinky finger. At least the blood matches the Race Red.

So far so good. The top is very nice. Thick ABS. Fits well. I have to say thought that it really does need paint. It does not have a nice finish. I just need to decide if I paint it black or Race Red PQ to match. Hmmm..

So now the bummer of the install. There were two antennae that were in the exact spot the brackets need to go. The video at Clinched doesn't have them. So, to use the top, I need to relocate them. PITA for sure, but it is doable and they still work after moving them (they are for the Ford Pass that allows remote start, etc). MAKE SURE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY BEFORE MONKEYING WITH ANY WIRES!

Here is the bastard (there is one the the passenger side too)

Here is the bracket:

Ain't gonna work...

So you need to pop off the bottom panel to get at the antenna. Here is a shot removed and one of the damnit itself:

So now I needed to relocate that bugger and I wanted to tie it to ground. There is a ground wire that I was able to use (this is driver side).

There is also a ground wire on passenger side, but there is also some sort of fuse block or something in the way which made it more difficult. Unfortunately, my phone crapped out and I didn't get those shots.

After relocating the antennae the brackets went right in and the rest of the install was easy.

So, what do you all think...paint it black or red to match the paint? I am leaning toward black.

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[CJJon]

Here are some more random shots:

 

[JimC]

Does that do anything to help with the wind buffeting on the highway?

 

[CJJon]

Does that do anything to help with the wind buffeting on the highway?

Yes. I pulled the ton with it on and it seemed to (and didn’t fly off).

 

[CVCashmere]

that is a Friggin' awesome look!!! Stunning appearance!

Reminds me of a 1963 Thunderbird roadster with a similar performance/appearance package.

CVCashmere

 

[MX5Racer]

I think the black looks good as is. I also like the Swamp-Thing Edition Dodge Ram in the background!

 

[FAnsari]

Well, after a slight setback I got the Clinched spider top installed. Got to say, it really is slick. At least my 83 year old mom thinks so!

Here is the box.

Be careful as each corner has a little surprise under the packing tape. I sliced Hell out of my pinky finger. At least the blood matches the Race Red.

So far so good. The top is very nice. Thick ABS. Fits well. I have to say thought that it really does need paint. It does not have a nice finish. I just need to decide if I paint it black or Race Red PQ to match. Hmmm..

So now the bummer of the install. There were two antennae that were in the exact spot the brackets need to go. The video at Clinched doesn't have them. So, to use the top, I need to relocate them. PITA for sure, but it is doable and they still work after moving them (they are for the Ford Pass that allows remote start, etc). MAKE SURE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY BEFORE MONKEYING WITH ANY WIRES!

Here is the bastard (there is one the the passenger side too)

Here is the bracket:

Ain't gonna work...

So you need to pop off the bottom panel to get at the antenna. Here is a shot removed and one of the damnit itself:

So now I needed to relocate that bugger and I wanted to tie it to ground. There is a ground wire that I was able to use (this is driver side).

There is also a ground wire on passenger side, but there is also some sort of fuse block or something in the way which made it more difficult. Unfortunately, my phone crapped out and I didn't get those shots.

After relocating the antennae the brackets went right in and the rest of the install was easy.

So, what do you all think...paint it black or red to match the paint? I am leaning toward black.

Looks AMAZING!!!
I reckon black looks good!!!
Get ready for all the attention now

 

[FAnsari]

My first attempt at playing with light

 

[CJJon]

Whoo Wow! Excellent shot FAnsari! I am a bit a a photography nut too! Very nice indeed. What was your setup?

 

[FAnsari]

Whoo Wow! Excellent shot FAnsari! I am a bit a a photography nut too! Very nice indeed. What was your setup?

Thanks mate
I followed some youtube videos on paint with light. Basically used a LED grage light I use to work on the car at night, did few passes with open shutter at 10sec @ F16. Stacked them in layers and masked over the stray random light trails. It is just my first attempt but something that I surely be doing more of. Have fun with your attempt!

Your stang looks fantastic mate (I think because your's is 2018 model that is why there was no mention of the antenna in the installation video. I have a 2017.., so was a pretty straightforward affair apart from the dremel trimming on some of the edges that were catching the roof fabric. I got the very first version of the cover so the guys at Clinched had already informed me of the issue. I believe they ave since fixed that issue.

Me too.., photography is a hobby, you can see some of my work at: https://photos.offcentrephotography.com/

 

[CJJon]

Thanks mate
I followed some youtube videos on paint with light. Basically used a LED grage light I use to work on the car at night, did few passes with open shutter at 10sec @ F16. Stacked them in layers and masked over the stray random light trails. It is just my first attempt but something that I surely be doing more of. Have fun with your attempt!

Your stang looks fantastic mate (I think because your's is 2018 model that is why there was no mention of the antenna in the installation video. I have a 2017.., so was a pretty straightforward affair apart from the dremel trimming on some of the edges that were catching the roof fabric. I got the very first version of the cover so the guys at Clinched had already informed me of the issue. I believe they ave since fixed that issue.

Me too.., photography is a hobby, you can see some of my work at: https://photos.offcentrephotography.com/

We could totally hijack this thread and go on and on about photography! Stunning work on your page. Bookmarked.

I am into alternative process, wet plate, dry plate combined with platinum/palladium contact printing. 1850's technology. I have a 120 year old full plate camera, 112 year old Kodak half plate, large/medium format film, bunch of 35mm stuff (Leica, Nikon, etc.).

I also do modern too, birding with a Nikon D850, portraits with a Leica M10, etc.

Would love to see more car shots! Might be a decent niche market for you. Hit up some other car owners and offer to shoot portraits of their rides.

Very inspiring!

 

[MX5Racer]

We used to have a Photography forum that went into more technical photography topics. It went MIA when they upgraded the site. Maybe the ADMIN can bring it back?

 

[FAnsari]

We could totally hijack this thread and go on and on about photography! Stunning work on your page. Bookmarked.

I am into alternative process, wet plate, dry plate combined with platinum/palladium contact printing. 1850's technology. I have a 120 year old full plate camera, 112 year old Kodak half plate, large/medium format film, bunch of 35mm stuff (Leica, Nikon, etc.).

I also do modern too, birding with a Nikon D850, portraits with a Leica M10, etc.

Would love to see more car shots! Might be a decent niche market for you. Hit up some other car owners and offer to shoot portraits of their rides.

Very inspiring!

That is some serious stuff mate! I still believe film was more fun especially the experiences of at home darkroom to develop the film and the anticipation of how the captures will turnout I wish I could offer other car owners portraits of their rides but unfortunately the scarcity of time is a hindering factor. In the meantime I will keep capturing some images of my stang.

 

[FAnsari]

We used to have a Photography forum that went into more technical photography topics. It went MIA when they upgraded the site. Maybe the ADMIN can bring it back?

I believe that will be a great re-addition to the forum!

 

[20ducks]

Stunning...absolutely stunning!

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