Convertible Boot Clip Question

[Surfcuda]

To all Convertible owners Im asking for some help. I ordered a Boot Cover from Legendary. The Clips on the new boot will not attach onto the molding, way to tight and will not flex over the molding. Seems almost every reproduction part I buy will not fit or has to be modified to fit. Has anyone else experienced this issue with the repo clips? Looking for a remedy to correct the issue or a source to get clips that actually fit? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[DetMatt1]

I had some broken clips replaced in my original boot and it takes some effort to get them to clip.

 

[terrywalker]

I too have found it nearly impossible to get the new style clips that come on the reproduced boots to clip on like the original clips. I also recently bought a repro Legendary boot. I've considered using some heat from a hair dryer but it has gone to the bottom of the list of things I have to do on my cars. I have a bunch of new clips like the originals (with the metal spring on back) and considered taking the new boot to an upholstery shop to have the original clips replace the plastic ones but again, not a rush item. Please keep us informed if you find an easy solution that works. In my photo, original clip on left and an exact repro on right - the clips in the Legendary cover does not have the metal spring and is thicker.
Terry W.

 

[Cuda_mark]

I have some original clips as well. I wanted to see if Legendary would make me a boot cover using my original clips. Like Terry - it is low on the list of things I need to do to the car at the moment.

 

[larry4406]

Who makes and sells the reproduction clips with the metal insert?

 

[Surfcuda]

Appreciate the input. Appears we all have issues with the repop clips. I was thinking along the lines of Terrywalker by using a heat gun. Maybe the heat gun will soften the plastic clip to where it can be pressed on. After cooling hopefully it holds the
Molding form so it will work for both taking off and putting back on with relative easy. I’m at the end of putting my Fish together and fitting the boot will finish it up. I will report back with my heat gun experiment results.

 

[Cuda_mark]

Who makes and sells the reproduction clips with the metal insert?

I don't think there is an aftermarket clip with the metal springs. All of the aftermarket clips are just plastic

 

[Surfcuda]

I don't think there is an aftermarket clip with the metal springs. All of the aftermarket clips are just plastic

I haven’t found any original type clips either. Appears to be only plastic clips available and they do not fit as claimed.

 

[larry4406]

I don't think there is an aftermarket clip with the metal springs. All of the aftermarket clips are just plastic

I haven’t found any original type clips either. Appears to be only plastic clips available and they do not fit as claimed.

After reading @terrywalker ’s post of him having new clips, I assumed these were reproductions vs an NOS stash.

 

[terrywalker]

Sorry. I should have clarified that I bought those metal spring type clips at least 25+ years ago through Year One. I bought them to replace broken ones in my original boot and to have someone make and put them in a new boot. A friend use to do car and boat upholstery but he's retired. I was going to have him install them for me but I procrastinated.
Terry W.

 

[Surfcuda]

Okay, I broke out the heat gun and heated a clip up. I didn’t go overboard with the heat just enough where it felt hot to the touch. Pressed it on the molding it snapped into place. I’m very pleased that it worked. Now I’m going to leave the clip on for a few hours. Then remove and replace it a few times to ensure it functions properly. Then I will do the other 21 Clips. Again I will report back with final results.

 

[larry4406]

Sorry. I should have clarified that I bought those metal spring type clips at least 25+ years ago through Year One. I bought them to replace broken ones in my original boot and to have someone make and put them in a new boot. A friend use to do car and boat upholstery but he's retired. I was going to have him install them for me but I procrastinated.
Terry W.

View attachment 153832

Nice stash!

Wish I had bought some back then.

 

[Surfcuda]

Okay, the Clip functioned. So I did another 21 Clips. When using the heat gun about 8 seconds of heat will do the job. Anymore the upholstery around the Clip heats up and the Clip will pop out from the boot itself (Don't ask me how I know). Now after getting all the boot Clips attached. The slide in attachment that goes across the back seat is about two inches short (“Come On Legendary, Really”?). So once again I’m stumped! Will the boot upholstery stretch? It’s drum tight as it is, another head scratcher. Any suggestions welcome

 

[larry4406]

It’s been 40 years since I tried to put my cover on.

I slid it on the seat first then snapped it to the trim.

I actually left it attached to the seat same as the original owner. Probably why the clips are broken from the top retracting.

 

[terrywalker]

Ok, that's the problem I had with the Legendary boot cover in my Challenger. If I put the clips on the well trim, the cover was way too tight to reach the slide in track for the welt. If I have the welt in the track, I can't stretch the boot enough to get the clips on the well trim. I'm waiting for a really hot sunny day to put the car out in the sun to see if the boot cover will stretch. Good to know that some heat on the clips helps. I'm nervous about using a heat gun, so I may first try a hair blow dryer. I still have the original boot cover that fits.
Terry W.

 

[Surfcuda]

It’s been 40 years since I tried to put my cover on.

I slid it on the seat first then snapped it to the trim.

I actually left it attached to the seat same as the original owner. Probably why the clips are broken from the top retracting.
[/QUOTE

I tried to put the back of the seat attachment on first. There was not enough slack to get a clip anywhere near the molding. I’m going to let it stretch in place for a few days while I try to figure this issue out. Until then maybe someone can provide a trick to the trade to rectify this issue.

 

[Surfcuda]

Ok, that's the problem I had with the Legendary boot cover in my Challenger. If I put the clips on the well trim, the cover was way too tight to reach the slide in track for the welt. If I have the welt in the track, I can't stretch the boot enough to get the clips on the well trim. I'm waiting for a really hot sunny day to put the car out in the sun to see if the boot cover will stretch. Good to know that some heat on the clips helps. I'm nervous about using a heat gun, so I may first try a hair blow dryer. I still have the original boot cover that fits.
Terry W.
[/ Frustrating issue. I’m really

Ok, that's the problem I had with the Legendary boot cover in my Challenger. If I put the clips on the well trim, the cover was way too tight to reach the slide in track for the welt. If I have the welt in the track, I can't stretch the boot enough to get the clips on the well trim. I'm waiting for a really hot sunny day to put the car out in the sun to see if the boot cover will stretch. Good to know that some heat on the clips helps. I'm nervous about using a heat gun, so I may first try a hair blow dryer. I still have the original boot cover that fits.
Terry W.

Exactly! However, I’m skeptical about the vinyl stretching 2 inches across the back seat. Fingers crossed that it will stretch out enough on a hot day. Keep me posted on your progress.

 

[Xcudame]

Maybe a warm California day will help? Glad to know the blow dryer helped. Sad there seems to be an issue with Legendary's cover. Are they a member here? Please let them know the issue. We all depend on them for their good quality parts and they need to know!

Side note: 440 Source listens to us Mopar crazies and fixes/modifies their products as needed. Legendary should as well.

 

[Surfcuda]

Maybe a warm California day will help? Glad to know the blow dryer helped. Sad there seems to be an issue with Legendary's cover. Are they a member here? Please let them know the issue. We all depend on them for their good quality parts and they need to know!

Side note: 440 Source listens to us Mopar crazies and fixes/modifies their products as needed. Legendary should as well.

Hi Xcudame, great to have you chime in. Yes, hopefully a hot High desert day here will do the trick. Was watching some vids that show crushed vinyl can be stretched using a heat gun as well. Maybe a combination of the sun & heat gun will make it happen. Legendary makes quality Mopar seat covers I have purchased a few sets from them. The boot cover looks great but there are fitment issues for sure. I will contact them with my concerns and see if they have any suggestions. Regards Rob