Ba/bf - Factory Hardlid Fitment Issues - My Solution

[I JET]

This "fitment issue" as far as I know affects the one piece genuine ford / fpv hard lids. I borrowed a few pics from another thread to help explain whats going on with the fitment problems.

Basically, there were two different types of hinges used to support the front of the hard lid...

1. A short black hinge that bolts to the center web as show bellow. (this is the problem hinge)
2. A large stainless steel wrap around hinge shown further down the page.

Ok so the full wrap around hinge looks to be the go. Now I inquired at ford about purchasing this part and there was still a few available but they retailed for something ridiculous like $500+.

I thought I may as well pull the tub liner out and have a look at whats going on.

• Hard Lid off, Tub liner out

• Headboard Top Right

• Headboard Top Left

Now you can see the result of the twisting load that is applied to the top rib. Both ends beginning to tear & its pulling away from the post on either end. On my ute, this caused the hard lid to overhand the tailgate by 3 inches. It also overhung the left side only by around 1.5 inches. The whole lid sat crooked and looked f*cked. I my opinion it ruined the look of the car. Like having shotty pannel gaps.

[I JET]

OK so my cheap solution was to straighten up the bent rib than take a length of Flat bar and weld it to the outside of the rib and also to the uprights on each end to put some strength into it.

• Test fit, checking length, marking up cut outs

• Cut outs done, paint ground back, ready for welding.

• Welds all done and ground back, Nice and straight now.

• Quick lick of primer to seal it, for once all that sh*t they put in your letter box comes in handy.

• All finished and really happy with the result. Looks just like a bought one......actually it looks much better. This solution might not suit everyone but because I had the mig welder handy it was quick an easy to do.

[Pixy Angel]

Nice write up Jet. Looks good and nice work.

Someone has been very busy.