Lets talk Boots!

[BiXLL]

I would really like to have one, but not $300.00 worth of wanting one! Are there any alternative boots, maybe from a different car that would fit ours? Has anybody ever looked into having one made at a trim shop? Surely this has been talked about before?

[madcowvert]

the only thing other than the factory boot that i have seen was done by fever racing. It was a peace of cloth that was put on with clips. i looked nice.

[Loki]

Give it time. After awhile you'll gladly pay $300 if you could find one

[BiXLL]

My wife is surprisingly good with her hands. She is not affraid to pick up a hammer, shovel, or sit down at a sewing machine, or arrange some flowers. I think I may try to get her interested in solving this. Perhaps if she comes up with something I could get her to do it with making a templet in mind and selling them? I willl see if she is interested.

[ishkabibble]

Something made from Hartz canvas that is like the boot from Fever racing would probably sell well. Your wife would probably need a serger to sew it, though.

A few people have talked about making a fiberglass boot, but we've yet to see a final product, and I personally think it isn't the best idea (you couldn't store it in the trunk).

[94_240sx]

Something made from Hartz canvas that is like the boot from Fever racing would probably sell well. Your wife would probably need a serger to sew it, though.

A few people have talked about making a fiberglass boot, but we've yet to see a final product, and I personally think it isn't the best idea (you couldn't store it in the trunk).

One of verts in the magazine had custom made snap-on boot cover and I didn't like it. Mainly because of snaps installed on the car. IIRC, one of members from Europe made a boot out of fiberglass and he said it'd fit in the trunk. You can't beat OEM boot no matter what condition it is. Most of the time, edge is worn, but upholstery shop should be able to cover/fix it with no problem.

[ishkabibble]

One of verts in the magazine had custom made snap-on boot cover and I didn't like it. Mainly because of snaps installed on the car. IIRC, one of members from Europe made a boot out of fiberglass and he said it'd fit in the trunk. You can't beat OEM boot no matter what condition it is. Most of the time, edge is worn, but upholstery shop should be able to cover/fix it with no problem.

A heavy canvas boot could be patterned after the original boot. It would be a bit less rigid, and have a few more seams, but it would have less of a "plastic-y" look. If someone had a serger, they could probably put it together for ~$40.

I don't remember that Euro guy posting a final product, but I have a really poor memory. A fiberglass boot would take up almost the whole trunk if it fit. This is more of an issue for some of us (DDs) than others (Sunday drivers / show cars).

[thrty5thsc]

I don't see how a fiberglass boot would fit in the trunk. Just seems like it would be too wide for the opening. I love my boot! I wouldn't sell it for 400.00!

[BiXLL]

I don't see how a fiberglass boot would fit in the trunk. Just seems like it would be too wide for the opening. I love my boot! I wouldn't sell it for 400.00!

I love the look of your boot in your sig pic! I just don't see me paying the big money for one. That one that was on E-bay, I offered $150.00, he came back with a counter offer of $450.00, but thats just too rich for me!

My wife seems interested in the idea of trying it, but I am not sure if she has the expertise. She is talking of making a pattern one out of cloth like material to get fit and size, then making final out of vinyl or leather or canvas.

I think I still may stop and see my local Trim Shop. Years ago, they put a window in my Couger convertible. I bet they would be able to make a profesionally fitted boot? If I was to get them interestede in making one, or if my wife works one out, would there be any interest from you guys in getting one? Could be a possible incentive for the trim shop to dive into the project.

[Loki]

If the shop was able to make a good boot for a good price, I'm fairly sure every single vert owner on NICO would buy one. Just make sure it's sturdy enough to not fly off when driving.

[thrty5thsc]

If I didn't get mine with the car. I would not pay more than 150.00 for one. I would have my wife working on something too.

[BiXLL]

I know this is asking a lot, but the wife told me to throw it out there and see. She said if she had a boot to go by to get her start so far as piece sizes she would need to put it together, it would make life a lot simpler, and the chance of her being successful much greater. Does anybody have a factory boot that they would be willing to send me so she could take measurements? I would send it back within a couple days, she just needs to have it in hand to work out her starting pattern.

[madcowvert]

I know this is asking a lot, but the wife told me to throw it out there and see. She said if she had a boot to go by to get her start so far as piece sizes she would need to put it together, it would make life a lot simpler, and the chance of her being successful much greater. Does anybody have a factory boot that they would be willing to send me so she could take measurements? I would send it back within a couple days, she just needs to have it in hand to work out her starting pattern.

Don't take this the wrong way!! It's not that i don't trust you, But i wouldn't send my boot out it's to rare of a part for UPS/Fedex to destroy .. if you want i can trace my boot out on a paper and send it to you. Maybe that could help. .

[BiXLL]

Don't take this the wrong way!! It's not that i don't trust you, But i wouldn't send my boot out it's to rare of a part for UPS/Fedex to destroy .. if you want i can trace my boot out on a paper and send it to you. Maybe that could help. .

I understand! Do you think a tracing would be clear enough? Heck, lets try it and see if it helps her.

[cmkelly]

If I had one to send I would. I'd rather have a newly designed one anyway and will pay your wonderful wife if she can fabricate one that works.

I think the current boot is too big. I'd like something that fits more snuggly. It's keeping the damn thing on at 80 mph that's going to be tricky otherwise you could trace the opening cut canvas/vinyl to fit.

Maybe that's the answer. Cut a big peice of material that is larger than the boot opening and then sow into the outer edge some hard but flexible plastic that you could wedge in the opening of the top area. Something that might "bend but then spring into place to fill out into the opening.

Right, that's it, get to it.

[BiXLL]

I think she plans on trying to use velcro, the way the newer tonauh covers on trucks use them down the sides instead of snaps. That way, as the climate changes from hot and cold, and material shrinks and expands, you could adjust the fit. I have never had a problem with the velcro on my cover on my truck in 3 years including winter. It would involve installing velcro to the well are of the car, but I am sure if she goes this route, it will be thought out and not offensive looking.

[ishkabibble]

3M Dual Lock would be a good velcro option. They make a low profile version of it in black.

[madcowvert]

I understand! Do you think a tracing would be clear enough? Heck, lets try it and see if it helps her.

for what your trying to do i really dont think that the boot trace-out/boot would help. The boot tucks underneath that rear trim and what fever racing had went over it. it might give you a rough idea in the size.But you can use the trim on your vert for the exact size.

Also the only thing i didn't like about the fever racing one was that they used round snaps to hold it in place which means that you would need to drill into the trim of the vert. Kind of like what you would see on A tonneau cover from a truck. But it dose look nice i saw it in person at Hot Import Nights in like 2004. it fits nice and snug and was not bulky like the factory one.

If you want you can contact them and ask them for better pictures. or maybe they can make you one. i know that they dont have the car any more but it never hurt to ask.

http://www.feverracing.comPhone 813-877-7600There in Tampa Florida

[Florida240sx]

I can part with mine for a decent price. has the cover also

[BiXLL]

I can part with mine for a decent price. has the cover also

I am sure if you put a decent price on it, you won't have a problem selling it. That is not what this thread is about though. We are trying to come up with an alternative here. E-mail sent to find out price you want though.

[thrty5thsc]

I don't think I would want to send mine through a shipping co. either. Would pictures and mesurments help?

[BiXLL]

I don't think I would want to send mine through a shipping co. either. Would pictures and mesurments help?

The more info I can give her the better I would think??? Sure, send some pics and measurements, even if she only uses part of the info, you know? Its going to be a trial and error thing I would assume, but pics and measurements may give her a starting point? If Florida240sxdoesn't want the world for his, I may buy it just so she would have a templet, that way I could help a lot of guys out here!

[thrty5thsc]

Right. I'll get some pics tonight. I got my kids today so I can't do it til my wife gets home. I can't take any pics on the car today cause it's raining here in NY. I get you some of the boot only though.

[BiXLL]

Right. I'll get some pics tonight. I got my kids today so I can't do it til my wife gets home. I can't take any pics on the car today cause it's raining here in NY. I get you some of the boot only though.

Great, any info can only help!

[Florida240sx]

Would't want to use mine as a template. It's in too good of condition.I'll have a thread starting soon. Same time I start the vh in the vert. I'm making mine a hardtop removable vert. House is starting to be built right now. House will be finished in 6 months hopefully. After that tons of write-ups from me.

[thrty5thsc]

I didn't forget. I'm trying to get in my garage but the lock won't open!!

[Loki]

I didn't forget. I'm trying to get in my garage but the lock won't open!!

That's what your Expedition is for.

[BiXLL]

Well that one on e-bay just sold for $255.00. I had a snipe bid set for $231.00 but didn't get it! Thought I had us a template!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW
Modified by BiXLL at 5:44 PM 10/10/2007

[Loki]

Someone should contact the winner and convert them to NICOtholicism.

[Florida240sx]

zerothread/285230