Hey, are you spying on me?
ARCHIVE 73/74 Owners: Any Interest in HDPE Side Panels?
- Thread starter wardharris
- Start date
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Hey, are you spying on me?
- Thread starter
- #42
I gotta use the drone for something!
No bomb racks?
fireball
SILVER Star
Hi guys, just a quick update that I am going to get a rear door panel template from Ward and do a test panel out of the 1/4" material that we have at the shop.
The starboard material is a bit nicer than ABS plastic and comes in a variety of colors, but 1/4" is the thinnest they make. Will also be able to do them in ABS 1/8 or 3/16" but then you can choose any color you want as long as you want black
As my truck is currently in Chilliwack, and won't be in my driveway until Mid-March at the earliest it will be awhile until I have a template on site. It will be fun to see what we can come up with.
The starboard material is a bit nicer than ABS plastic and comes in a variety of colors, but 1/4" is the thinnest they make. Will also be able to do them in ABS 1/8 or 3/16" but then you can choose any color you want as long as you want black
As my truck is currently in Chilliwack, and won't be in my driveway until Mid-March at the earliest it will be awhile until I have a template on site. It will be fun to see what we can come up with.
elkaholic
Left turn ...freakin wipers!
I look forward to seeing what you come up with
fireball
SILVER Star
Thanks Sam! Judging by all those crossed out trucks in your signature line I'll have to work quickly or might miss the chance to have you as a potential buyer!
It's an exciting time to own a 70-series... what with replacement panels and LED dome lights on the horizon! ::thumbs up::
It's an exciting time to own a 70-series... what with replacement panels and LED dome lights on the horizon! ::thumbs up::
I think 1/4 inch would work fine. It would certainly be more stable and provide more material for counter-sinking fasteners if desired.
elkaholic
Left turn ...freakin wipers!
The 70 is not going anywhere anytime soon 
. That list is over 35 years of vehicle ownership ....
. That list is over 35 years of vehicle ownership ....
Tell him Sam!!The 70 is not going anywhere anytime soon
elkaholic
Left turn ...freakin wipers!
I can't steal your sig line . My string of trucks shows I have followed a similar path.
The 70 driving experience is just sooooo perfect compared to others, though I do like my 200 for long road trips.
. My string of trucks shows I have followed a similar path.The 70 driving experience is just sooooo perfect compared to others, though I do like my 200 for long road trips.
- Thread starter
- #51
Glad you guys are keeping this thread in Tech
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Wayne's aluminum panels are something like 1/2 or 3/4 inch I believe. He was able to router a nice rounded edge with that I believe
Any word on where these are at?
fireball
SILVER Star
Indeed, Ward has sent me a template and I have a 1/4" thick sheet of the black King Starboard material out of which I plan to make the first sample piece. Unfortunately I don't actually have my truck in front of me, it's in Vancouver and will be until the end of March until I can have it here.
I do plan to make a set of panels and make sure they will work, and then offer them up to folks. The 1/4" material will be good for replacement panels but not strong or thick enough to use for access panels, doors, etc.
One thing that should be discussed is whether or not to use the OEM mounting holes and install nutserts in those holes for installation. Does anyone know the exact diameter of those holes? We will need to make sure the pilot hole for the nutsert is obviously no smaller than the existing holes. It might be easier to drill new locations in the replacement panels, then you can put it in place and use as a template to drill new holes in the sheet metal for the nutserts. Or I could produce the new panels as just a sheet and let the end user decide how they want to mount them.
Any thoughts on which method is preferred?
Anyone have a truck handy they can measure the exact diameter of the existing mounting holes?
I do plan to make a set of panels and make sure they will work, and then offer them up to folks. The 1/4" material will be good for replacement panels but not strong or thick enough to use for access panels, doors, etc.
One thing that should be discussed is whether or not to use the OEM mounting holes and install nutserts in those holes for installation. Does anyone know the exact diameter of those holes? We will need to make sure the pilot hole for the nutsert is obviously no smaller than the existing holes. It might be easier to drill new locations in the replacement panels, then you can put it in place and use as a template to drill new holes in the sheet metal for the nutserts. Or I could produce the new panels as just a sheet and let the end user decide how they want to mount them.
Any thoughts on which method is preferred?
Anyone have a truck handy they can measure the exact diameter of the existing mounting holes?
Mine all have jack nuts in them right now but they are like what is in an 80 Series. In order to put 6mm Nutserts in my 80 tail gate I had to open the holes up.
I like the idea of nutserts in the factory holes. Even if they need opened up a little it'd be the easiest way to go.
- Thread starter
- #59
I would prefer pre-drilled holes in the panels at the correct positions.
My rig is in the shop and not readily available....
I don't have the dimensions of the factory holes anymore as I've drilled them to install some aluminum panels as well. However, the 1/4-20 (non-metric) nutserts are bigger than the existing holes, and a 1/4-20 drill hole (for the bolt on the panel) should be sufficient. If you want to keep it metric, it should be an equivalent of an M6 bolt according to this conversion table:
http://www.trfastenings.com/pages/Thread+Conversion+Tables
Below some photos of what I did and a more detailed description can be found here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1985-bj70-story-and-modifications.608045/page-27
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