defroster vents

[mwood65]

If anyone has the 2 defroster vents I could sure use them!


The actual plastic vent that bolts to the inside of the dash where the hoses attach to....


Mine are worse than broken/cracked apart.

[78 WIDETRAC]

P.M. inbound

[bkilby]

I might have a pair if 78 WIDETRAC doesn't.

[78 WIDETRAC]

mwood65 PM me your name so I can put it on the box.

[mwood65]

Thanks everyone for the help and especially a huge thanks goes out to 78 WIDETRACK!


I have me more stand up guys on here since I have joined than anywhere else!



Thanks to everyone for just being you!

[rang-a-stang]

Originally Posted by mwood65

...
I have me more stand up guys on here since I have joined than anywhere else!
...

FACTS!!! This place is full of amazing people! These folks humble me with their awesomeness!

[mwood65]

Well I got a set of amazing vents from 78WIDETRACK but they don't fit.
I figured all of them would be the same but nooooooo, it's one of the few things they changed on the FSJ I guess.


Here's what my old ones look like, you'll have to use your imagination on the missing sections.....







New ones I got that don't fit...





UNLESS....I am retarded and am doing something wrong..

[mwood65]

Originally Posted by bkilby

I might have a pair if 78 WIDETRAC doesn't.

Looking at my pics what kind do you have, If you have some?


Still looking guys.....

[mwood65]

So I guess nobody has any vents?


Guess I will have to get creative with some fiberglass..

[SJTD]

I hate to admit this but I have one that's complete and doesn't seem too brittle and one that's missing one corner but not as bad as yours. No telling how long the intact one or the good side of the other will last. They're at least 40 years old since the dash changed for '72 or '73 and in a place that gets a lot of sun.

My '84 has the other version you show. Idunno if there were other versions before or after that.

Anyway, you can have them for the cost of shipping. I'll try to look into that tomorrow.

I think what I'd do is take the good one apart, fill the inside with plaster to make forms and vacuum form new parts out of 1/16" ABS. Could do it with a vacuum cleaner after a little study. I made some visor cups like this. Or it just heat the ABS up with a heat gun and work it work it with my fingers, wearing gloves of course.

Have to make some mounting brackets and figure a way to attach them.

I don't think epoxy or polyester resins will adhere to the the plastic.

[Heep-J4000]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Heater-Defr...lp%3A23 34524

Make something fit from universal defrost vents or convert the ones you have.
Or as SJTD suggested , make some copies!

[bkilby]

Originally Posted by mwood65

Looking at my pics what kind do you have, If you have some?
Still looking guys.....

I have those straight ones off my '74. I used the angled ones on my dash and they fit in the same spot as the straight ones so you might want to double check your test fit. They should work. Anyhow, let me know if you need the straight ones. Send a PM.

[mwood65]

Thanks for the ideas but most are too advanced for a dummy like me.


I took my old ones and used bailing wire bent to match the lip that was missing and used hot glue gun to hold it in place temporarily and then cut some steel mesh (made to back up holes so you can put body filler over it) which has an adhesive side to fill in the big holes.


So the form was done and then I used fiberglass cloth strips & resin to cover it all and it turned out pretty good, I have to do some clean up with a flap disc and then I will cover with some black paint.


Will post a pic when done.

[mwood65]

Before ya say it looks like crap, I don't care since it's inside the dash and not visible.


It's functional and that's all that matters to me.


Before:





After:





The fiberglass adheres very well to whatever the plastic is.

[SJTD]

Looks fine to me.

I thought it was PE or PP and the glue it wouldn't stick. Glad it does.

Maybe a Mod will move this to the Tech Forum.