3D printed fix for floppy vents

[mct75]

Like many, the vents in my FJ80 are loose from the tabs breaking off. In my case, the "pins" on the vents themselves were sheared off, and the small plates that the pins mate with crumbled when I took them out.

I've designed a 3D printable part that fits securely into the vent housing, and has a pin that now fits a hole drilled into the vents themselves. Here's a render for the middle vent. (the side needs a slight offset.) Dimensions in mm.

Here's the resulting print:

The pin is 4mm, and I drilled a 5/32 hole in each vent. Here's how it all fits together installed:

Here's the files if anyone wants to make one: MEGA OpenSCAD and STL files included. You may need to adjust the SCAD files if your vents are tighter or looser than mine. I printed mine in PLA with 100% infill. I'd recommend ABS though for heat resistance. It's nothing complicated or fancy, just another fix to a common issue.

 

[Oscar Witte]

So where do I send my money...

 

[mct75]

It would always be best to print them yourself, in case they need tweaking. I also don't know anything about longevity, so these might break in a month. My plan was to secure them with a dot of glue, but they fit fine via friction for me. You might have to glue them. Also, the plastic I'm using softens somewhere north of 180 degrees, so might not work in extremely hot climates. ABS would be best, but I don't have any right now.

 

[Gabriel 71]

I did use money to fix two of mine.Dimes wedged in the side.

 

[Kernal]

Is the small piece that you've made a copy of the OEM part that deteriorates?

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

@Kernal, I believe he made his own part to fix the OEM part. The part Mr. T made is just a stupid little peg on each side of the vent and then a little hole on the vent shroud.
@mct75 good work. I'm surprised nobody else has done this with all the 3D printers we have on this board. I wonder if a scanner could neatly replicate a good exterior went shell itself. I may have to invest in one of these printers someday.

 

[2fpower]

I did use money to fix two of mine.Dimes wedged in the side.

Great idea; however, my first thought when I read the title of your post was did you print out a dime?

 

[baldilocks]

@mct75, i dont have the capability to make these very useful parts but I do have the ability to turn money into anything. I'm sure lots of members would be happy to send you their money which you can turn into something we need.

 

[mct75]

Thanks everyone! 3D printers are indeed very handy. Here's the one I use: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JI1VL3Q

If anyone wants a set of these, I'll sell them for $5 shipped in the US.

 

[ZeGerman]

I want a set. I just took my dash apart to find the same issue

 

[baldilocks]

What's your PayPal? One for each vent please. Thanks

 

[mct75]

I'll run off a set (it takes a few hours) and once I have them in hand I'll PM y'all. Thanks!

 

[ZeGerman]

I'll run off a set (it takes a few hours) and once I have them in hand I'll PM y'all. Thanks!

Thank you Thank you

 

[george_tlc]

I'd want to test the clip in hot weather in a vehice if printed in PLA. PLA has a nominal glass transition point around 60C (140F) so a car in the hot sun would likely be getting to temps where the PLA could soften/flow. Just something to consider and the OP has mentioned.

cheers,
george.

 

[mct75]

Yep, PLA might have some issues with softening! But, spools of the stuff can be shipped without any special considerations, and freight trucks can get pretty freaking hot. I suspect that being out of direct sunlight will help a bunch, but it's something to consider.

 

[mct75]

I've got some black ABS on order that will be here tomorrow. It will look a lot better than the silver PLA and be melt-proof. The vents and interior of the truck are ABS so if these melt you'll be having much worse issues anyway. From what I've read, changing over the printer settings and re-calibrating to use ABS can take anywhere from 30 seconds to many hours of trial and error, but once I have it dialed in I'll remake these fix plates. I don't feel comfortable sending out anything that has even a slight chance of melting inside someone's vents.

I do have a full set of the PLA ones on hand if anyone who lives in the arctic circle wants them.

 

[Wayne]

mct75, I want a set when you get them made.

 

[7toZulu]

MCT75... I'd like a set also for my 92 FJ80... all vents if this has become a mob buy . This is great (inexpensive) idea. Good work!

 

[TSJ]

I could use a full ABS set in Texas

 

[cruiserdan]

This is an awesome field fix. Great work!