Fiberglass...

[rustywagoneers_com]

Howdy Folks.

A friend recently bought a fiberglass products company. Next Monday night I am going to go over there and try to give him a few ideas to expand his product lines. Currently most of his business is molded running boards, however I do not know who all he produces them for.

I am going to try to lean him, at least for a few things, into the off-road / 4x4 markets. Products which are hard to make by other means, and at the same time products which have a fair likelihood of being a recurring sale (mr. Buggy guy rolls it again and needs another hood).

I have a few FSJ ideas that I will present to him, but definitely want some input as well. I am going to try to get him to make front and rear replacement widetrack flares, (and add on for NT's) and I would like to know how a potential purchaser would want them mounted. A 'flange' molded in, to bond or bolt them on from the back side? Ideas, anyone?
Will also try to get him to maybe do full M715 front fenders.. and XJ - Pocket type flares, BUT.. rather than just rip-off bushwacker, what changes need to be made to make them FSJ specific? Anyone who has done this mod, what areas need to be changed to make them RIGHT, and not just 'fit'?

Any other FSJ item you wish you could get relatively inexpensively, and molded out of fiberglass?

Thanks In Advance

peace
Dave

[JeepBountyHunter]

:D, a fully molded FSJ dash, with the a/c molded in...no cutouts, so we can customize the dash and radio layouts..:D...

[IslanderOffRoad]

how about full w/t front fenders with the flare already molded into it? Good weight savings, no messing with bonding the flare, just paint it (or leave it white if you're the ricer type) and go!

[rustywagoneers_com]

a dash panel.. yeah, those aren't too complex.... simple 90 degree almost... ok, including fake dash pad all the way to windshield?

glad i kept the 86 tub.. i can have the dash out if he goes for it..

thanks
Dave

[rustywagoneers_com]

i might need better WT cores to do a full fender... i have some, but i dont know how much bondo they will take to make good molds...
i will sure hit him up with it..
peace
Dave

[IslanderOffRoad]

door skins? Hood?

I'll take all the weight loss I can afford

[pb]

Front and rear one pc. NT & WT fenders, inner fenders, hood, rockers, etc.

[shackwrrr]

heres something a top from the bottom of the pillars up so you could have a choptop and a full roof at the same time

[Grimjaw]

Flares for the J-trucks that have a larger wheel well openning than stock. That way you can keep the stook look, cut the fenders and run bigger tires. Maybe even a bid wider than stock for fatter tires.

[JohnIL]

Bushwaker type flares would be great. It would be nice to have a set made as a bolt/stick on specifically for the Grand Wagoneer (4 door). Also, an add-on visor like the one Lund used to make. You might also look into replacement interior panels like doors panels, kick panels, cargo area panels, or maybe even a center console with cup holders and arm rest. I'd also like to find a gauge pod for the ashtray. That would be a great spot for an aftermaket tach. The possibilities are endless...

[J10Mike]

dave,
how about sportside rear fenders? they are nearly impossible to find.

[IslanderOffRoad]

Bushwaker type flares would be great. It would be nice to have a set made as a bolt/stick on specifically for the Grand Wagoneer (4 door). Also, an add-on visor like the one Lund used to make. You might also look into replacement interior panels like doors panels, kick panels, cargo area panels, or maybe even a center console with cup holders and arm rest. I'd also like to find a gauge pod for the ashtray. That would be a great spot for an aftermaket tach. The possibilities are endless...

I'm working on an aluminum panel to replace the ashtray/stereo/clock that will have spots for an aftermarket radio some acc. switches and a gauge or two.

[Gambler68]

outer bed corner protecters! (bottom)

[joe]

Dave, maybe the valance(my term and may not be correct)? The sheet metal strip that fills the gap between the bottom of the grill and the bumper.
Those apparently even rust out here in the NW where road salt isn't used. The folks out in the rust belt prolly aren't even aware there is supposed to be a fill strip there. ;)

[DanHS]

A removeable brow for browless FSJ's, radiator fan shrouds, all the other things mentioned above, and of course rhino grilles. lol

[JeepBountyHunter]

I meant a full dash, though it wouldn't be lightweight in fiberglass though...I was thinking in line with the Cherokee style dash...that would be one huge endeavor though...

M715 fender's...
And Thrifside bed fender's plus the sportside one's that J10Mike mention's.

Course the ultimate would be a Full J Truck Cab, or Cherokee and Waggy Cab...

I like the removeable hardtop idea mentioned above too..:D

Best of all, I have a Super Waggy console...would love a new repop of it, so I can put in a custom aftermarket shifter.

[Boghog1]

Dave, maybe the valance(my term and may not be correct)? The sheet metal strip that fills the gap between the bottom of the grill and the bumper.
Those apparently even rust out here in the NW where road salt isn't used. The folks out in the rust belt prolly aren't even aware there is supposed to be a fill strip there. ;)

There supposed to be metal there?:(

[bigun]

second the M715 front fenders

[rustywagoneers_com]

i am thinking the M715 fender and maybe an expanded WT flare that can be put on it for the enlarged WT fender idea...

if nothing else this will pour a little gas on the fire for him..

thanks for the input.. really want pics of where the XJ pocket flares DON'T quite match the Waggy...

peace,
Dave

[ricbee]

J truck bed sides,also willys wagon tailgates

[MrFurious]

Having owned my fair share of Early Bronco's, I think the best sellers (for us FSJ nuts atleast) would be replacement front fenders and possibly even inner fenders.

I like the idea of the PreRunner fender idea (W/T style with wheel opening enlarged to accomodate larger tires or more travel w/o rubbing). The problem is he'd have to offer something similar for the rear to match.

On the replacement flares, bolt-on is the only way to go IMO. While I know bonding agents have come a long way, I still put little faith in them and much prefer something that bolts on so I know it will stay where I put it when doing 80 down the highway.

Of course there's always the Rhino grill option that would surely be a seller. You couldn't chrome it, but you could have it painted to match the body color or paint it with one of the new chrome-looing paints. Don't know if you can powdercoat fiberglass (need to bake at 375-475 degree's depending on color used), but if it's possible Eastwood carries polished SS and brushed aluminum powders that look really good.

A full replacement hood with built-in functional scoop would also be cool, but that would be a major undertaking as you'd have to lay up the inner and outter skins separately, then bond them together to get the finished product. He'd have a ton of money wrapped up in the three molds to make them.

The removeable top idea would be a royal PITA on an FSJ. First you'd have to cut off the original top. Then you'd have to weld in metal to fill the gap between the inner and outter skin on the rear body sides. Finally, you'd have to fabricate a way for the top to attach to the top of the windshield frame. Then of course there's the fact that our FSJ's have full door window surrounds, so you'd have the ugly frame still there when topless. In short, if you want a removeable top toy, go get yourself an early Bronco, a scout, or a pre-1973 Blazer.

[J20 Good Humor]

I am a buyer for J-truck fender flares and box/bed parts. Would like stock style pieces. That is why I have not purchased anything to date.
Tailgates may also be a seller?
I would really like to see a cowl-induction style hood!

[Jeep_Guy]

I second, Sportside rear fenders.

[GED]

http://www.fsjtech.org/fsj/various/IMGP8082S.JPG

http://www.fsjtech.org/fsj/various/IMGP8081S.JPG

[Mr. Goatman]

I second the sun visor. Just can't seem to find one.

[rustywagoneers_com]

well, i will have him read this whole thread when i go there monday after work.. at least he will see there is demand and enthusaism for some things where fiberglass makes sense... i will make sure everyone knows what he has to say.

peace
Dave

[JeepBountyHunter]

You know I was talking to MrFurious today, and he mentioned having a full truck box remade sounded like a good idea, and I tend to agree...a J Truck townside and thriftside would be good seller's...

[MrFurious]

Yep, if they can make fiberglass replacement beds for the 1980's Toyota pick-up's, why not some for J-trucks? Even just making the bedside skins and a replacement tailgate in fiberglass would be a wonderful thing.

[Kali]

I agree with the whole bed idea. I live in new england and as much as I hate to admit it, someday my j-10's arizona pickup bed is going to be rusted out pretty bad :(

[backpack09]

Did anything ever come of this Rusty?

[jlchilcot]

How bout complete fiberglass bodies like the bronco's and CJ's? :rolleyes:
That would be sweet...:cool:

Seriously though, fiberglass fenders would be nice. I have a set of old ones if he needs a set to make a mold or whatever.

[hampton123]

what about half doors? :rolleyes:

[rustywagoneers_com]

mostly what came of the fiberglass thing was i popped my left bicep loose from the tendon and have gotten some pretty bad central nervous sytem problems thanks to my attempts to help those j@ck@sses run a shop.

someday i will write a book about it...

something like 'the zen of lying to the e.p.a.'

so, not much good came from it, at all...
did keep me off the internet and far from my kids for 8 months though..
sorry.

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

We here in Pakistan have the capability to build both fiberglass and Steel Fender Flares, Beds, Half doors etc. etc.I did not know there was serious demand for these products. We make these all the time (Steel) for Toyotas. Let me know and I can workup a plan.
Ehsan

[Gambler68]

mostly what came of the fiberglass thing was i popped my left bicep loose from the tendon and have gotten some pretty bad central nervous sytem problems thanks to my attempts to help those j@ck@sses run a shop.

someday i will write a book about it...

something like 'the zen of lying to the e.p.a.'

so, not much good came from it, at all...
did keep me off the internet and far from my kids for 8 months though..
sorry.

screw them Dave! rat em out to the EPA and collect the reward money. Then sue their insurance company for a 50, not a 5 percent disability. :mad: You're a good guy, hate to see this crap happen.

[Dirtball]

and of course rhino grilles. lol

You may have been joking when you said this, but Razors and Rhinos would both sell like crazy... too bad we'll never see them from this particular endeavor...

[rustywagoneers_com]

screw them Dave! rat em out to the EPA and collect the reward money. Then sue their insurance company for a 50, not a 5 percent disability. :mad: You're a good guy, hate to see this crap happen.

thanks for the love, ryan. we shall see....

Eshan, go for it!

peace
Dave

[J10Mike]

mostly what came of the fiberglass thing was i popped my left bicep loose from the tendon and have gotten some pretty bad central nervous sytem problems thanks to my attempts to help those j@ck@sses run a shop.

someday i will write a book about it...

something like 'the zen of lying to the e.p.a.'

so, not much good came from it, at all...
did keep me off the internet and far from my kids for 8 months though..
sorry.
I wondered what had happened to ya. All of a sudden one day, you disappeared. I hope all is better now.

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

thanks for the love, ryan. we shall see....

Eshan, go for it!

peace
Dave
I will prety soon. :).. I will make new panels for my own Cherokee and post up pics for all to see.
Ehsan

[chazer]

Functional Hood Cowl bolted on