I have a simple question, hoping for a simple solution! Lots of luck, right!


My vehicle is a 2000 XK8. I recently had installed a new top and headliner, so I purchased a Boot Cover to help keep the headliner clean when the top is in the down position.


I installed the boot cover and tucked the front lip behind the top of the backseat. All looks great and tight.


However, once I sped over 45mph, the center began acting as a scoop and lifted up approximately 8-10 inches, catching a lot of air.


My question: "Is there a secret to keep the center piece of the boot from catching all that air and lifting up?"


If not, I think I will install a couple of grommets on the boot and S-hook it behind the backseat.


Thanks!

 

Mine never lifts, but that may be because I keep the windows up. Is your boot lined vinyl?

 

Can you post some pics of the cover off and how it looks installed?

I have zero problems with my factory cover lifting.

 

Mine had a tendency to lift, although no where near as bad as yours. My fix, mostly for peace of mind, was exactly what you mentioned. Two brass grommets in that front flap and two short bungie cords to hold it.

Bungie cords are hidden behind the seats in either up or down position.

 

KCJagers,
I, too, didn't like the way the tonneau would catch air and ripple so much, so I attached three straps of 1.5" hook side of velcro to the three straps that tuck into the trunk and that hooks naturally onto the trunk liner, and I pull them very tautly so that there is little play. I also had sewn a strip of 3/4" hook velcro all the way across the front of the flap that tucks in behind the back seat. That strip naturally attaches to the velour headliner and sticks very well. There is nary a ripple even at speed above 100mph.

 

The cover on my '98 does not lift at all, and I don't even have the dowels in place for the trunk/boot. Windows up or down, it stays exactly in the same place, and at any speed. It is still the original cover.

I think I must be doing something different.

 

You chaps are lucky to be able to use your tonneau covers - weather over here in the motherland is so bad my convertible is usually fully closed and my tonneau cover is mint

Mind you on the rare occassions I do get to drop the roof I've never had a problem with the cover lifting - probably still factory tight

Steve

 

Here's some pics of my factory cover installed on the 2004. Mine is very snug under the boot lid.

I am curious if those who have flappers have different gaps.

Also wondering if the tops are going completely down.

Also wondering if there was a significant change to the rear bodywork causing a different air draft pattern.

 

rothwell,

In my case the issue was with the two cover "wings". I'm referring to the reinforced side pieces that snap onto the fenders. They would allow just enough wind in to pull air under the cover and that would cause the lift.

In the worst cases (very rare), it would lift just enough pull the front flap that tucks behind the seat up and then things would get interesting very quickly.

 

Like you, Mike, air got under the wings on occasion, pulled the front flap out and a couple of times had enough force to pull the trunk tabs out as well. Obviously, this didn't happen at 35mph driving through traffic, but at elevated freeway speeds. I also just didn't like seeing the tonneau rippling and straining at any speed, so I came up with my remedy which has fixed the problem completely.

 

Here is what mine looks like after 30 miles of highway speeds.

It never seems to lift up. If anything it appears to press against the top removing all the space between.

 

The tonneau cover on my 2000 XKR usually stays in place just fine. If I don't get it fully tucked in the center it does sometimes catch air and start to lift at about 45. Retucking has solved it so far. No really high speeds so far.

 

That's what mine does, it is actually pushed down and I never have any sort of rippling or raising of the cover, even at speeds up to 110 mph.

There must be some sort of different aerodynamics or cover design at play over different model years.

 

Side winds play havoc though. Around here it is always windy and sometimes very high sustained winds with even higher gusts. Sane people would have the top up, but what fun is that?

 

I also have a 2000 XK8 and have no issues with the convertible top cover, even at highway speeds.(who said 110 earlier? havent tested it to that YET). I would make sure that your top is retracting completely. There are plenty of threads on here about maintenance of the hydraulic system for the top. I cant think of anything aerodynamically that would effect your car and not mine.

 

Thanks for all the thoughts and advice. My cover is an aftermarket and is vinyl, which may be lighter than OEM, thus lighter and probably not a perfect fit. I will try the Velcro solution, seems to be the easiest, least expensive, and pretty much a sure bet, especially with all the high winds I deal with daily, here in Kansas City! See you on the back roads! Vroooom...

 

I've never had the problem of the cover getting air underneath, but if the side wings are the problem this would probably help with out all of the Velcro.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xk8-xkr-17/looking-stiffie-but-also-flexible-53952/
It also gives the cover a nice look. A friend of mine bought hers and the original cover has shrunk so it will not lay down correctly. I'm wondering if this may be the problem.

 

I've never had a problem with my 1999 xk8. Cover stays in place to at least 90 mph. Never looked back to check over that speed!

 

I had one instance where the cover was flapping around. I found that I hadn't pulled it around the upper seat corners. Since doing that, I have had no problems.