Customs I normally have problems taking skirts off

But this time it's getting them on. I bought a set of old NOS aftermarket skirts and at this point I was hoping through experience someone could give me some pointers before I get started. Never really trusted those sliding bracketed arms that are designed to clamp behind the existing fender.

Do the designed brkts work or are there better options??

 

My skirts have the same three spring arms. To install... Rotate the center one so there is plenty of room, one of the sides will fit easiest - either front or rear... Put that on first, then hook the other side in place. Once they're on, rotate the center closed and viola. Mine have foam around the edge of the skirt ( it's in bad shape, but still) to keep from scratching the paint. I'd say I trust them, they have stayed on for decades apparently. To remove, read this backwards.

The only issue I have is that my tires are 235 in the rear, so the spring hooks rub on an aggressive turn or when turning with passengers in the back. I'll be switching to narrower tires shortly which should solve my issue.

 

Thx Brent. I have a really wide set of tires back there. The center arm works fine but hits the tire upon rotation to tighten it. The two side hooks are rusted and will take some work to loosen up. If you look closely from the rear angle, I have a little forming to do to get it to the fender contour.

 

That's a terrible problem to have, trouble taking skirts off.
I don't have problems with that at all

 

had a '54 Chevy ( much smaller skirts) that two u-shaped tabs were glassed on to hold top up and keep stable. then at both ends of bottom there was a reinforced hole. inside of fenders there were welded on simple small barrel slider type wood gate latches. worked great. had a different rearend that put tires too close to part of lower edge for stock latch to work. even had to slightly notch lower edge of skirt where bulge of tire came closest.

 

Never had trouble removing skirts, a little booze, lotsa nice compliments, open a door or two, takes practise, you'll get it.....

 

Yup- you gotta watch those "side retainers" ; you might get one in the eye when they let go! (ouch!)

OK, let's be serious --Hope you figure out your clearance problem- you might also consider rubber "boots" on the ends of the rods for more "holding power"? Good luck with it ( skirts look good)

 

cut the center arm off and weld a 1/4" drive socket to it and use a ratchet to tighten it. or file flats and use an welding tank wrench.

 

Thats cause you wear pants,lol. I usually start with dinner.lol

 

Thanks for the tips everyone. May just have to use a combination of all of them combined. Yep. I'm wearing pants from now on. Those kilts are cold up north.

 

Ya gotta kiss em some first!