True, but I haven't seen brass gears I've only seen the steel ones. I know that when I rebuilt mine, yes the gear was messed up because the motor gear wore into the plastic gear. Fortunately I have a friend that had a new one in the package
Recreating NLA Parts
- Thread starter DoubleNickels
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- #22
OK, the master list so far, categorized according to gut feel on engineering, manufacturing, and cost-worthiness. Also categorized according to what I think I can do in addition to my day job, for now 
:
EASY (as in I'll jump in immediately):
MODERATE (Maybe in the next year or so?)
MORE CHALLENGING (as in requiring more rigorous reverse engineering and potentially higher cost to manufacture):
FUTURE FUTURE MAYBE (hard to do as a side business and maybe not worth it for cost/volume)
Again this is just gut feel, but based on some experience of what I expect to be worthwhile. I'd be hard-pressed to convince the wife to cash in our modest little nest egg (AKA our "Oh-Sh!t Fund") to chase all these down at once, but I think I can start small, cover costs, and see what develops.
:EASY (as in I'll jump in immediately):
- Reflectors and lenses
- Gaskets
- Plastic (OEM Style) Rear Window Gears - I agree with the logic regarding lower wear, from an engineering standpoint.
- Windshield Wiper Link Bushings
MODERATE (Maybe in the next year or so?)
- Inside rear view mirrors
- Glove box door
- Tail Gate Handles
- Rear reflector rings
- LC Emblems & Vents
MORE CHALLENGING (as in requiring more rigorous reverse engineering and potentially higher cost to manufacture):
- License Plate Lights - assuming you'd need the whole assembly, i.e. bulb + housing + lens
- Dash Pads, Glove Box Door, and Armrests
- Body Panels, Floor Pans, etc. - only because I'm not as connected in this industry, and may be starting from scratch unless BobM and I become BFF's.
- Gauge Surround
- Door Hinges
FUTURE FUTURE MAYBE (hard to do as a side business and maybe not worth it for cost/volume)
- Factory A/C Evaporator
- Full Window Regulator Assemblies
Again this is just gut feel, but based on some experience of what I expect to be worthwhile. I'd be hard-pressed to convince the wife to cash in our modest little nest egg (AKA our "Oh-Sh!t Fund") to chase all these down at once, but I think I can start small, cover costs, and see what develops.
There is a little plastic piece that covers the interior rear view mirror mount. The sun visors clip into this piece. They get old, brittle, and then they crack. This would be a good piece to repro. I will try to find a picture.
I'm also working with a friend. About making a fiberglass dash cover that's nice and clean. So you an situate your dash however you like
Brycec,
I ordered one a couple years ago, if yours is like mine, they aren't the same as stock 55. I threw it on the shelf.
I think what happens to most of the plastic tailgate gears, is the window gets cocked or hard to lift and the gear cracks from the force of the motor. Good or bad, I'm not sure in the long run if brass is better. I have a brass one in now and seems fine.
- Thread starter
- #30
Mini truck (early 80s.) rear view? Door handle and cups look the same
So just to clarify, Bob, are you saying the Rear View Mirror is the exact same in a mini truck? And the door handles... as in the plastic internals Scrapdaddy mentioned or the arm rests?
Not 100% but could be. I had a 79 4x4 mini truck and they are similar in design. A lot of manufacturers will use off the shelf old stock on newer vehicles. I prefer brass. Fuse should blow before gear breaks. And brass should strip before glass breaks. MF02
There are no fuses for the tailgate window - just a 40ish year old circuit breaker...
DoubleNickels,
The first one in the easy column (reflectors), isn't the problem, it's the ring and backing plate that rot away. We can buy the reflectors at Napa.
It will be a tremendous boom to a lot of people who are working on these wagons, to get a few of these pieces reproduced and I for one want to thank you for even thinking about it.
NOS has dried a long time ago and to get the pigs anywhere close to being restored, this is the only way. People like BobM, Slocruiser and others who have helped so many complete their projects are very much appreciated as will this endeavor be appreciated.
The first one in the easy column (reflectors), isn't the problem, it's the ring and backing plate that rot away. We can buy the reflectors at Napa.
It will be a tremendous boom to a lot of people who are working on these wagons, to get a few of these pieces reproduced and I for one want to thank you for even thinking about it.
NOS has dried a long time ago and to get the pigs anywhere close to being restored, this is the only way. People like BobM, Slocruiser and others who have helped so many complete their projects are very much appreciated as will this endeavor be appreciated.-Hood bumpers
-the rear 4wd emblem
-the weather stripping on the smaller window on the rear doors (and not cost more than the car is worth), same with the weather stripping along the bottom of the tailgate
-as much metal as possible
-all lenses
-yep...the metal rings around the rear reflectors
-metal version of the inside door handle attachement (I think someone was working on that?)
and everything else mentioned above
-the rear 4wd emblem
-the weather stripping on the smaller window on the rear doors (and not cost more than the car is worth), same with the weather stripping along the bottom of the tailgate
-as much metal as possible
-all lenses
-yep...the metal rings around the rear reflectors
-metal version of the inside door handle attachement (I think someone was working on that?)
and everything else mentioned above
Maybe not open. But always willing to help. Probably mentally more than physically. Not easy letting go of things. But we'll see.
Hey Bob, you beat major odds against making it, you deserve a rest. Time to work on YOUR wagons and enjoy every minute. I've been retired for six years now and still think I have to go back. When you work your whole life it is hard to let go, but when you do, oh man what a feeling! Here's to you, buddy
Here's to you, buddy 
When I grow up Bob, I'm going to be asking you what to do with a press and a sheer and a box brake...unless this whippersnapper beats me to it
I had a guy from Airbus say he could scan a rear tailgate handle for me and give me the file. I was trying to solder my handle back together so he could scan it. He also said he could get me in contact with someone that could 3D print it in metal or help me find someone who could CNC it. Is there a better option than CNC?