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Previous theories of cause:
Poor or excessive winching. This is a possibility but I repaired mine and the cracks returned without any winching operations.
Differences between the coefficient of expansion between the plastic body and the metal hoop around the hood. When there are cracks I have observed a slight temperature related variance in the width of the crack.
I have a new hypothesis. The observation:
In my re-engine project I had to get to the gas tank. This required me to remove the storage pan from under the seat. This pan fits between the vertical seat support that is attached to the frame and the seat frame that goes across the vehicle. Just sitting there isn't enough clearance on my conquest so to aid installation/removal I take a couple of bar clamps, turn them around to be spreaders, and lightly jack up from outside the vehicle at each end of the seat frame. This lifts the seat frame up a bit off of the supports and I can slide the pan right in. The other night I happened to walk around the front after having jacked it up as described and saw that the cracks were completely closed.
Mine:
As you can see it carries the aluminum framed top. It also has the internal winch hoop.
My theory is that this phenomenon is caused by the sides carrying a load pushing against the winch hoop at the center front. Basically, "droop" with a winch hoop; so any causes of "droop" would be suspect.
Poor or excessive winching. This is a possibility but I repaired mine and the cracks returned without any winching operations.
Differences between the coefficient of expansion between the plastic body and the metal hoop around the hood. When there are cracks I have observed a slight temperature related variance in the width of the crack.
I have a new hypothesis. The observation:
In my re-engine project I had to get to the gas tank. This required me to remove the storage pan from under the seat. This pan fits between the vertical seat support that is attached to the frame and the seat frame that goes across the vehicle. Just sitting there isn't enough clearance on my conquest so to aid installation/removal I take a couple of bar clamps, turn them around to be spreaders, and lightly jack up from outside the vehicle at each end of the seat frame. This lifts the seat frame up a bit off of the supports and I can slide the pan right in. The other night I happened to walk around the front after having jacked it up as described and saw that the cracks were completely closed.
Mine:
As you can see it carries the aluminum framed top. It also has the internal winch hoop.
My theory is that this phenomenon is caused by the sides carrying a load pushing against the winch hoop at the center front. Basically, "droop" with a winch hoop; so any causes of "droop" would be suspect.
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