ARCHIVE 73/74 Owners: Any Interest in HDPE Side Panels?

[elkaholic]

I agree with those that mention using nutserts or rivnuts in the OEM locations. That would be my preference. Additionally, I think that leaving the hardware choice up to the buyer would be favorable. I have a nutsert tool for SAE sized, but the tool is no longer manufactured, so I cannot get the mandrels for metric therefore, I would be installing with SAE - probably oval head machine screws with finish washers ...

 

[fireball]

That might be a good idea. I can predrill the holes in the panels and everyone can choose their own hardware.

Sam can use SAE sizes, Dan and other purists can use proper OEM metric hardware, some may want stainless, some may want black oxide, etc.

 

[elkaholic]

I havta make working on the rig more challenging by making sure I mix metric with SAE

 

[wardharris]

Or maybe some wood/sheet metal screws...

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Or maybe some wood/sheet metal screws...

Now you're down to my level.

 

[deepseacruiser]

I am going to do a similar project with my 74 panels. I was planning to use quarter-turn fasteners on the rear panels to facilitate removal and storage and nutserts on the front.

 

[fireball]

Just wanted to do a quick update, I finally picked up my 74 a few weeks ago and drove it across the border. It's in Portland now and I'm flying back to finish the cross country adventure middle of next week! Should be home by the end of the month and planning to get started on some panels then.

Although I'm a big fan of @Cruisin' and the work they did on my armor, the sticker in the DS rear panel isn't for advertising, it's to cover a big gaping hole/tear in the OEM panel. So will start on the rears and go from there.

Here is a shot of the 1/4" king starboard I'll be using. It has a really nice texture and I think will turn out pretty good!

 

[Scalp]

Hey Ben...we are wondering how things are going with your cross-country adventure?
We have a meeting coming up Thursday and the club wants to know...
~Bill

 

[fireball]

@Scalp, thanks for checking in on me! Trip went great so far, I flew back home a week or so ago and have been busy working and catching up on real life and prepping for the 2nd half of the trip starting later this week. I posted a few quick thoughts and some photos here. Please share with the guys and say HELLO for me! https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/shout-out-to-all-the-bc-mud-folks.843763/

 

[jfrench]

Any update on the panels? If a production run is not imminent I'm going to order a full sheet and go to work. Thanks

 

[fireball]

Thanks for checking in, this project got put on the back burner as I was spending a lot of time in the shop completing a custom drawer system for a friend/local club members 80 series.

That is all finished now so I can get back to doing some stuff to my truck including making some prototype panels. I've got the interior out and everything ready to get started. I'll check back in after this weekend when I hope to get some time in the shop.

 

[NM Frontier]

Nice!

 

[JTarnow]

Any word on the progress?

 

[deepseacruiser]

I am planning this for as soon as I return from deployment. If my measurements are correct a single pieces of 1/4" starboard 48/96" is enough to do evey panel in the 74 if layed out correctly.

 

[jblueridge]

What is the approximate price for a sheet of it?

 

[fireball]

Guys, sorry this project along with a bunch of other planned work on the 74 fell by the wayside. Business has been very busy, and it looks like it won't slow down until after the first of the year. So I don't think we'll have time for either me personally or one of my guys to batch a few sets out until after the new year.

FYI, the 1/4" starboard is about $100 per sheet from our supplier.

 

[wardharris]

I am having the interior shop fab some up as part of the interior build. Will post snaps up when done.

 

[jblueridge]

I wish I could figure a way to scan (with computer) these panels.
I guess I'd have to find a big laser cutter to do all the cuts.
The one at our school is very small.

 

[jfrench]

One 4' x 8' sheet will do the she-bang. I've got everything but my front doors done and like how it's turned out. Hardest part was drilling holes in the right spot and still have yet to fit the door pull (panel is a little too thick). I also had to cut my side panels into 2 pieces each as my cage was too close to the body to be able to get the whole panel out to get at the bolts to remove the FRP top.

 

[jfrench]

I wish I could figure a way to scan (with computer) these panels.
I guess I'd have to find a big laser cutter to do all the cuts.
The one at our school is very small.

I just used the old panels as a stencil and cut it with a jigsaw. Not as precise as a laser cutter but did the trick just fine