Gauging interest: FJ Cruiser mirror adapters (1 Viewer)

[Spook50]

A friend of mine is teaching me about 3D printing, and has been doing a lot of projects for me lately; enough that I'm looking into investing in a 3D printer for mostly "fun" projects but also a handful of ideas I have for our trucks. One idea I have is a 3D printed adapter that would allow FJ Cruiser mirrors to be bolted to 60 series doors with little modification (door sheet metal would need holes drilled to mount the mirrors, and wiring would need to be adapted for the motors and lights). I had investigated putting FJC mirrors on my 62 in the past and then abandoned the idea, but with 3D printing it seems much more feasible now. I personally like the look of the black FJC mirrors, and being a more modern design they are much more stable than our old power mirrors (especially at the age they're at).

Disclaimer though that this would very much be a low priority project as I have so many others to tackle first, but I'm curious as to who if anyone would be interested in something like this to purchase.

 

[Lead Head]

Are there any printable plastics suitable for constant outdoor sun exposure?

 

[TheNeek]

Are there any printable plastics suitable for constant outdoor sun exposure?

Most modern printers can do ABS and even Nylon. So yea. A good coat of trim black paint will help protect it from the elements a bit as well.

 

[Spook50]

Most modern printers can do ABS and even Nylon. So yea. A good coat of trim black paint will help protect it from the elements a bit as well.

Both materials I've been looking into to see what would be the best for standing up to the elements while also standing up to the compression caused by the three screws holding the FJC mirror in place. I would ideally like to do nylon, BUT I need to read up more on its properties versus those of ABS before I were to make up my mind. Honestly once I have a design to print it wouldn't be difficult to experiment with both as well for a "real world" trial.

 

[davegonz]

NylonX with a hardened nozzle. We use it for prototypes that are used outside. Pretty tough stuff, but will eat up a regular nozzle.

NylonX Carbon Fiber PA12 Filament - 1.75mm (0.5kg)

NylonX is an engineering grade nylon filament which is blended with chopped carbon fibers (approximately 20% by weight), creating a high-strength filament capable of printing tough, shatter-resistant, functional parts. Engineering grade PA12 nylon filament Prints tough, shatter-resistant...

www.matterhackers.com

 

[Spook50]

NylonX with a hardened nozzle. We use it for prototypes that are used outside. Pretty tough stuff, but will eat up a regular nozzle.

NylonX Carbon Fiber PA12 Filament - 1.75mm (0.5kg)

NylonX is an engineering grade nylon filament which is blended with chopped carbon fibers (approximately 20% by weight), creating a high-strength filament capable of printing tough, shatter-resistant, functional parts. Engineering grade PA12 nylon filament Prints tough, shatter-resistant...

www.matterhackers.com

Nice! Hadn't heard of that. I'm still VERY green when it comes to 3D printing materials and techniques. I wonder how well it takes to any kind of chemical smoothing. Ideally I'd like an end product to have a satin smooth finish that would look good on its own but be paintable if the owner wants.

 

[MrFitzie]

I have used ABS (and TPU95 for gaskets) for years on various 3D printed things on my project cars, interior, exterior and even engine bay. Never had an issue with it.

I would also look into ASA as well.

 

[ChaserFJ60]

ASA hands down is what you want, Its a derivation of ABS that's 10x more UV resistant. Most any generic 3D printer can print ASA, if it can print ABS it can print ASA. Its the only thing I use on any automotive print.

 

[davegonz]

My intern started using that and turned me on to it. I need to try it out on my machine at home.

 

[SteveH]

I personally like the look of the black FJC mirrors, and being a more modern design they are much more stable than our old power mirrors (especially at the age they're at).

I agree that older power mirrors get shaky. The manual FJ62 Toyota mirrors sold by City Racer have a much larger contact area on the adjustment bits, and are rock solid. I took apart my wobbly old power mirrors, and the nylon parts that hold the mirror are much less substantial (and greatly different) than those in the power mirror. I gave up on swapping the housings - can't be done.

Do you have a pix of a mocked-up black FJ Cruiser mirror on a 60 series?

 

[Spook50]

I personally like the look of the black FJC mirrors, and being a more modern design they are much more stable than our old power mirrors (especially at the age they're at).

I agree that older power mirrors get shaky. The manual FJ62 Toyota mirrors sold by City Racer have a much larger contact area on the adjustment bits, and are rock solid. I took apart my wobbly old power mirrors, and the nylon parts that hold the mirror are much less substantial (and greatly different) than those in the power mirror. I gave up on swapping the housings - can't be done.

Do you have a pix of a mocked-up black FJ Cruiser mirror on a 60 series?

I've been told the manual mirrors are much more stable too, for the exact reasons you cited. If I remember right, someone a while back took a pic of an FJC mirror just being held up against a 60 series door. I park next to an FJC every day at my work and took a close look at the mirrors myself and they're very different of course, but look like something that would compliment a 60 series.

 

[NLFJ60]

How about an adapter for mounting FJ70 mirrors on a FJ60? The OEM mirror on mine finally broke, and I mounted a FJ70 mirror I bought a long time ago. It mostly fits, but because the door profile of the 60 is different from that on the 70, it is not a very solid fit, and there is a rather large gap. Others have tried to custom make a gasket, but apparently that did not go anywhere.

 

[andrewkimball]

It is time for me to replace my mirrors as well. The chrome is really bad and the mirror itself is losing its slivering and getting to the point of being useless. So, I would be interested in anything that could be a replacement.

 

[Spook50]

How about an adapter for mounting FJ70 mirrors on a FJ60? The OEM mirror on mine finally broke, and I mounted a FJ70 mirror I bought a long time ago. It mostly fits, but because the door profile of the 60 is different from that on the 70, it is not a very solid fit, and there is a rather large gap. Others have tried to custom make a gasket, but apparently that did not go anywhere.

Not a bad idea. Once I have adapter contours dialed in I can't imagine it would be difficult.

Again though, this is a ways down the list of projects and ideas to develop.

 

[sschruff]

An adapter for the D90 mirrors would be awesome - the housing is similar to the OEM 60 series and plenty of billet/etc. choices available.