Today's upgrade: Wind deflectors and a phone mount
The wind deflectors look absolutely brilliant compared to the old OEM leather strap-on style deflector (which was still much better than driving without one at all) because you can see the rolle hoops in all their shiny, galvanised style glory. Plus, if I want to drive with the top up but have a clearer view out the back, all I have to do is take it out and fit it to the deflector holder on the underside of the boot (trunk) lid.
After taking it out for a spin I noticed a significant improvement on wind deflection. My long hair did not spin up from the back as before and I even felt less turbulence around my face. It was noticeably warmer and I was able to hold a conversation at a lower level than before. Overall, I'd say around 30% improvement in wind deflection, which I think is in part due to the fact the centre mesh sits higher up the roll hoops and the triangle deflectors inside the hoops that have a plastic backing to the mesh.
Here's how I did it (without breaking a single clip):
1. Moved the chairs forward as far as possible (including lift up and lean forward). Then used a wide plastic trim tool to carefully and slowly prize open between the two roll hoop covers, easing them all the way around as I went, starting with the forward-facing panel first.
2. Placed the triangle deflector inside the roll hoop by slowly pressing the clipping points into place (move it left to right or up and down as you clip each one in to avoid breaking any, there is some give in the position.
3. Mark up and drill holes on the rear plastic sections for the middle deflector brackets (making them identical on each side, I measured with a digital caliper and double-checked placements with the brackets before drilling).
4. Fit the hoop covers (silver) back onto the hoops, starting by seating them in their rubber grooved feet first, back hoop cover first. Then applying careful but firm pressure all around until the clips 'click' into place.
5. Now attach the brackets with screws because they locate through the hoop covers and into the black plastic interior covers.
6. Place the rubber screw grommets inside to hide the screw heads.
7. Carefully lower the middle deflector into position from the top down, ensuring it's sliding into place on both sides symmetrically. Keep going until you hear a click.
Proof I did not break a single clip using this method:
Phone holder:
I used a phone holder from amazon which had a 3M VHB tape sticker underneath. Upon reading
3M's instructions on applying this kind of tape, I took the route of allowing it 72 hours (3 days) to cure before using it.
3M instructions: After application, the bond strength will increase as the adhesive flows onto the surface. At room temperature, approximately 50% of the ultimate strength will be achieved after 20 minutes, 90% after 24 hours and 100% after 72 hours. In some cases, bond strength can be increased and ultimate bond strength can be achieved more quickly by exposure of the bond to elevated temperatures (e.g. 150°F [66°C] for 1 hour).
I've been testing it at all kinds of speeds for many hours now and while there is slight wobble of the phone (very slight and only due to the holder's design) there is no noticeable sign of movement from the dashboard. As much as I didn't want to place anything on my beautiful clear dashboard it is very helpful for navigation and receiving phone calls and keeps my phone out of the way of vents and does not require drilling in any form. Plus the VHB tape can easily be removed and the dashboard cleaned without any damage (I already had to redo it once because I had weighted the phone holder down overnight thinking this would give better adhesion but it slipped off in the night and caused the mount to lift shortly after it was applied).
