Author Topic: Fiberglass body panels  (Read 1105 times)

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damon54

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Fiberglass body panels
« on: April 02, 2007, 09:12:05 PM »
Any one had any luck with fiberglass replacement parts?  Was thinking about replacing the windshield frame cause the old one rotted.  I would think they would be lighter.
Any Insight?

Offline Jeffy

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Re: Fiberglass body panels
« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2007, 11:03:45 PM »
I've thought about using a fiberglass windshield frame but never bothered to replace mine.  (the rust is under control and the pitting is minimal.)  One of the things about fiberglass is that it requires extra strengthening so there is usually a metal frame inside so you might not be reducing the weight.  Also keep in mind that a YJ and TJ use the windshield to support the front spreader bars that come off the main hoop.  This is moot if you have a 6pt cage though.

With a little extra prep, a replacement steel windshield frame will hold up fine.  The stock ones aren't painted very well from the factory.  Pain is thin at any edge or corner.  If you look behind the hinge, you'll see it's not even painted.  They usually rot out behind the windshield gasket/spacer that goes around the glass and covers the gap.  Mind started rusting out at the middle and the lower corners where fine dirt collects and causes moisture to rot the metal.
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Jesse-James

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Re: Fiberglass body panels
« Reply #2 on: April 03, 2007, 06:14:59 AM »
I wheeled with a guy last year in a cj5 all fiberglass. Steep side camber going between two trees he ended up clearing it but lost traction and slid back. The tree caught the windshield frame and bent it back cracking the windshield in the process. When we got him out the frame flexed back and the only damage was the glass itself. I got to see first hand how durable the fiberglass is and am considering one myself for this reason since mine is rusting.





Offline oldjeep

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Re: Fiberglass body panels
« Reply #3 on: April 03, 2007, 07:01:14 AM »
If you get the high quality fiberglass/kevlar stuff they are not bad - but as expensive or more expensive than steel.  The el cheapo glass stuff that JCWhitney sells is one small tree away from shattering. 
Chuck P
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damon54

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Re: Fiberglass body panels
« Reply #4 on: April 03, 2007, 09:36:50 AM »
I was looking at Shell valley replicas.  It looks like you can get a whole Jeep in fiberglass now.  I ordered a steel replacement frame before I left Louisiana but I didn't have time to get it on so I gave it away.  Problem was that it was one of the "cheap" new ones off of ebay.  It just didn't look like everything lined up correctly on it and it had dents that did not look like they were caused by shipping.  All of this to say the fiberglass seems pretty competitively priced (200$ for the windshield frame) if it has some flex to it in places where metal would crease or ripple.  I will probably go ahead and get the windshield frame and post afterward if anyone wants to know how it turns out.

Jesse-James

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Re: Fiberglass body panels
« Reply #5 on: April 03, 2007, 10:59:50 AM »
I would be very interested to see how it turns out.