1955 Ford Thunderbird swing arm

[wa4ko]

I am considering a swing arm for my soft top but unsure how it works. Do I need a special steering wheel? can one person operate it? does the top store behind the seat? Is the trunk lid involved?
This is all information I found for later swing arms and do not know what the ones they are selling really do??
Thanks
Larry

 

[paul2748]

I am considering a swing arm for my soft top but unsure how it works. Do I need a special steering wheel? can one person operate it? does the top store behind the seat? Is the trunk lid involved?
This is all information I found for later swing arms and do not know what the ones they are selling really do??
Thanks
Larry

Basically, all the swing arms for the three years are the same. A difference in spring diameter is the only one that I know about.

No special steering arm. Stowing the top after it has been collapsed can be done by one person but it is a bit to handle. Yes, the top with the swing arm stows behind the seat and out of sight if you have the drop curtain. Trunk lid is not involved.

Basically the swing arm, when attached to the folding top, is a relatively easy method to stow the soft top behind the rear seat. It "swings" the top down into the car as you drop it down.

Very handy device if you have a soft top and want to run the car with a clean rear deck (nothing on it.).

The stock swing arm works not only with the stock top but with an aftermarket like Prestige's.

 

[Milt/Las Vegas]

There's 4 verticle studs welded to the raised floor behind the seat that the swing arm mounts to.It can be a pain to lower without damaging the windlaces and the weather strips on the top.I found that if you twist the swing arm slightly starting one side first then pushing sideways to clear the second windlace.

 

[wa4ko]

Thanks guys, I think I will let it lay on the deck for a while, It would be nice to hide it but it does sound like a problem when you are along and it starts to rain,,,,,
But thanks for all the good advice
Larry