Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Sounds like you have way more knowledge than I do on the subject, but at least you understand what I want to do. With the metal frame of the fender, I would have support on three sides, top, front, and back. I plan on at least 1" flange all the way around

This body shop up in NJ was putting a Japanese pickup bed together, metal skin to metal inner bedside, and showed me the bonding process. He said no welds just the glue

I have pneumatic flanging tool, I was just going to machine the jaws to the proper thickness, if they are hardened, I'll use a surface grinder

The rivets would be used for more of alignmnet, I don't think they would have much holding power, the glue would do that, maybe it was Ferrari that was using a glue that bonded fibreglas to metal, heard it somewhere. Would you have a scrap pc. of fibreglas down there, 6"x6", that I could start experimenting with? Wait, maybe it was Corvette, with their Alum. frame (Z06)...Thanks

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

I would love a set , then i could ditch the body lift!!!!

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

voted for 4" width, 2" height, 1.5" flare.

and i'm in the market for a pair of fenders inside a month.

sell me some. PLEASE! i'm very eager to gain some clearance for 39"s.

i'm glad you seem to have noticed that those of us who actually have modified our fenders have nipped the front bottoms off, somewhat in line with the grill surround line. this is a pretty important point (no pun intended), even with the 4" overall width expansion of the arch. i hope your final design for the fenders incorporates at least a little nip of the front bottom.

eagerly awaiting your progress, as i NEEED a front that's wider to match i full width dually rear when i'm running street wheels, but still be functional when i swap on my H1's with their 7" backspacing for a romp through the woods.

cheers!

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

:agree::c2:

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Hey a quick update.
Pulled my fenders and started to mock them up.
I'm in need of extra fender lips and some other sheet metal to make the model for the molds, so waiting for that.
In the meantime, I'm going to make the molds for the supports on the back of the fender for the people that want truly bolt on applications.

I'm making separate molds for that inner support, as I'll be offering three variations of each fender.

1. Just a fender skin with the larger opening. These would be grafted to a cut metal fender like discussed above.

2. A full fiberglass fender with stock mounting points. They would bolt in at all the stock locations, and have a fit and look just like a GM part(what I'm aiming for anyways), but with a larger opening.
This variation will require a steel support to be fabricated to run from the Cowl mounts(or the firewall) to the Radiator support. The steel will be needed to support the radiator support, the hood, and anything else that would normally mount to the fender, as a fiberglass fender, no matter how strong will probably not support a steel hood on stock hinges.
Something like this would be needed:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b6...l/IMG_3319.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b6...icture_372.jpg
I made them out of 1.25" box tubing, when I reassemble the truck I will run any wiring through them with caps to hide the wires.
You could easily weld a plate on this type support to have a location to mount the stock hinges/hood, or anything else you would like to mount there.
I have noticed alot of the 4x4's have cages or some sort of added tubing to the chassis, and could be easily modified or added to in order to accommodate the hinge/hood mounts.


3. A full fiberglass fender with an inner support that has a piece of plate steel laminated in that inner support mold. There would be a jig shaped piece of steel laminated in the inner support, which in turn will be laminated to the fender.
This variation would be a true bolt on part, with more than enough strength to support the hood, the radiator support and anything else mounted on the inside of the fender.


Senator- the little nip you are talking about is not a problem at all. I can incorporate a full lower cup, or a cut cup, as much as you would like. The design of the mold and the method of layup will allow me to custom 'tailor' the fender to each individual's needs(with a trade secret!) and still have a factory finish with no sloppily cut edges.

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

http://www.specialtytoolsusa.com/sto...509-22_big.jpg

trade secret? :D

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

^ hahaha, but nope, not even close. Cutting with a sawzall, wheel, body saw etc will leave a 'rough' edge that needs to be resealed and refinished. without taking time to reseal the edge, and make sure it's done well, moisture can wick in the edge, causing delamination over a period of time.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b6...fl/8042-22.jpg
It's thermo-stable wax, and that's as much as I'm going to tell.
Although you can probably figure out the gist of it!

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

progress?

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Yep making progress, Waiting to get the metal parts I need to make the fender model for the mold.
I'm prepping the inner supports so I can make the molds of them this weekend, so that part will be out of the way.

I am going to Colorado in the middle of September for a week or so.
I want to have the molds all finished, and staying on the model while I'm gone so they cam fully cure on there. That will minimize any shrink or warpage that might occur if you pull the molds before they've finished curing. When I get back, I will clean and polish the molds and then I can start making fenders!

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Are you going to be able to make just the outer "skins" as previously mentioned?

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Yes, I can make just the skins for anyone interested.
I can make the skin as big or small as you want. I can make it the full size of the fender or just a few inches past the wheel well.

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Would you be able to move the opening forward a few inches while maintaining the same size opening?

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

:fb:Is there a build thread for this Truck, I sure would like to know more about that front suspension ???

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

This is all I have on it.....

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/sho...t=belden+chevy

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

The location of the opening would be up to you when you graft it together.
You'll have at least 6" forward to back adjustment with the skin, depending on where you cut your stock fender. If needed I can make either front or back even longer, but prolly wouldn't need to.

I'm guessing you'd like it to be a few inches father forward?

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Yeah, my front axle is forward 2-3". It would be nice to have the tires "Centered" in the opening. If you have adjustment already, it should be good. Thanks.

Oh yeah, post some pics :D

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

yeah, there's adjustment in where you cut and graft the new opening onto the old fender.
Since yours is forward, I can make the back skin of the fender go all the way to the factory location. That will give you enough fiberglass and metal to overlap at the rear seam.
I'm still looking into different panel bonding adhesives.
I've heard both Duramix and the 3M 2 part adhesives are good.
3M just bought duramix and renamed all of them.
The hot glue sticks I was talking about require an industrial glue gun that heats up to around 350 degree. Most 'high temp' craft glue guns, get to 180 or 250, not enough to melt the stuff. And Apparently to bond an ABC or HDPE panel like on some of the new cars, you are supposed to bomb the plastic panel with a heat gun before applying the adhesive for a better bond.
I think the duramix type adhesives will be more than needed.
Next week or two I'm going to get a few types of duramix and do my own tests. I don't know if many people will do the skin thing, but I'd like to know the best way to attach them.

Not much in the way of pics for right now, I'm waiting to get some metal arches and cups, then I can start on the fender.
Next few days I should have molds for that inner support though, and I'll put up pics

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Just watching great builds on the powerblock tv show, and they bonded a metal electric window channel to a fibreglas door on a '55 Chevy. So, some kinda glue must be out there, they said you could use bondo, but I don't think I want to go that route. Let us know what you come up with

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Progress?

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

not super fast progress, but progress all the same. I'm waiting to get some metal arches, some front cups, and other metal to make the larger wheel opening.
I'll have the inner support mold for all the driver's fenders finished tonight. I also got the pass. fender inside all clayed up and almost ready to make the mold. I should have that one done tomorrow.
I'll post some pics up a little later tonight.

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

I just found this thread and I am going to watch it closely.

I'm throwing the idea of putting 35's on my 2wd.:cool:

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

in my experience, larger fender openings are not necessary for 35"s.


Pictures? Can you tell I'm a little anxious for these bad boys? I might even get two sets

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Is it later tonight yet? :lol: J/K, but I am looking forward to seeing progress pics.

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

hey guys, Got caught up with family a little bit this weekend and earlier this week, not that that's a bad thing! But I did finish the mold for the Drivers inner fender support, all it's supports are glassed in and it will stay on the fender for a few more days until I pull it so it can cure properly. I got the pass inner support a good bit of the way done, right now it sits with just gelcoat, surface veil and 1 layer of glass on it. With that layer of glass over I can finish it in the next day or two, soon as I get a chance to work on it.

Here's some pics to satisfy those urges. lol

Driver's fender support all smoothed and flanges on.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b6...s/IMG_2163.jpg
The clay is to fill in any gaps and give a smooth surface for the mold.

After a bunch of paste wax and PVA I applied the tooling gelcoat
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b6...s/IMG_2165.jpg
here you can see the flange a little better
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b6...s/IMG_2166.jpg

Here's 2 layers of surface veil and one layer of .75 Oz mat
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b6...s/IMG_2172.jpg

Here's with another layer of .75 Oz mat and 2 layers of 1.5 Oz mat
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b6...s/IMG_2177.jpg
In this pic and the pics below, they are mid process, The areas that are shaggy looking have yet to be trimmed. The areas that are smooth around the flanges have been trimmed. I cut them before the resin sets up fully, in the 'green' stage, it's so much easier than cutting with a saw(and alot less itchy)



Here's the almost finished mold
2 more layers of 1.5 Oz in the flatter areas or 4-5 layers of .75 Oz in the tight curves. Then a layer of 24 Oz Combo cloth and a little .75 Oz mat around the edges of the combo cloth to keep it smooth and easier to handle. Wood supports cut and laid on the still wet mold to hold them in place for glassing.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b6...s/IMG_2213.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b6...s/IMG_2216.jpg
There's actually one layer of .75 Oz mat on this little piece, but it is not enough yet.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b6...s/IMG_2219.jpg




Since these pictures were taken, I glassed in those wooden supports and trimmed them up, and also added a piece of metal pipe as well.
Drivers side got set to cure, and I got the passenger side well under way.
As soon as I get the metal pieces I need, I can start on the outside of the fender.
I know those are the pics you guys really want. lol, I also wanna see that bigger arch.

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Iam in the beginning stage of building a 71 4x4 prerunner/desert truck. Front and rear glass would be nice.

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Very cool - I've never seen this process before - very interesting!

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Sorry my bad for not getting them sent yet...:o

Guess it's time to go buy a box instead of waiting around hoping to 'find' one.

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

let me know if some donor fenders are needed. i'm at a point that i can sacrifice a couple of my lesser quality front fenders... probably good for right and left arch, and driver side front. pass front and both front lowers are shoddy.

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

It's alright. I guess it's how these things go sometimes. But it will be well worth it in the end.(for all of us I'm hoping)


I got a set to work from, and should be getting some parts from VtBlazer(mainly lowers and front fenders that I really need. The arch, I only need a few inches worth to make the opening larger, I don't need full arches.)

But I will end up needing the front of the fender for the 67&68 and 67-72 GMC style fender. The fender molds I'll be working on now are 69-72 chevy style.



These hurricanes are really getting to me. I can't wait for the string of them to be over. Since I work partially outside(just a roof , with 2 open sides, abutting my garage) so when the weather acts up, I have to put any work on hold. The roof is only 16' x 14', I have a 3' workbench along the one wall I got, and then a 4x8 table in the middle. So any windblown rain comes right in and soaks my work area. Right now everything is covered with visquine. I can't wait to have enough work to warrant a real shop. This driveway stuff gets old real fast.

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Ever since I saw the F2000 truck Ive been interested in a set for my 70' a complete set with bed sides would be nice. I would pick up a set of your fronts with the 2x4x1.5 flare. It would also be nice to see what the same wheel well opening with a 2.5" flare would look like. Here is a link to the f2000.

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

:jdp: :metal:

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

I would like to see the flared fenders and besides for a 71 chevy k5 blazer and if anyone knows who makes any ill buy.

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

If anyone knows can you email me at "chevytigershark@sbcglobal.net" i highly appreciate it!!

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

I don't know if anyone makes flared bedsides for this style truck or blazer. if you put them on your blazer, you'd either need to graft just the skins on, or figure out some other way to mold them to the 'tub'. If I'm correct the sides of a blazer aren't simply bolted on like a truck bedside.

As far as pics of flared fenders, gimme a coupla months...

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

I'm giving you 5 weeks from riiiiiiight.... NOW.
(including shipping time) :smoke:


I wonder if you have figured out approx how long each pair will take to make, and if you've got people in some sort of order. I'd like to be VERY close to the top of the list .

p.s. Thanks for spearheading this project. You're doing the community a BIG favor, and in the true DIY hotrod spirit. We're all very appreciative.

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

I'm figuring about 4-6 weeks right now actually. Life kinda gets in the way sometimes and things get slowed down. I thought I'd have them mostly done already! DOH! I'm going to colorado for a week later this week, so when I get back I should be able to get the fenders mocked up, molds made, cured and polished in 3 weeks or so. That included the molds sitting on the fender for 7 days to cure. If it's hot and not humid, then it'll be more like 4 or 5 days. if it's overcast, rainy and humid I'll prolly wait 7 or 8 days. I can then pull parts, but it's really a few weeks after that, once a few fenders have been pulled until the molds are fully cured and considered 'seasoned'.

But once the molds are made, it will only take me 2-4 days to make a pair of fenders, depending on what you want. Actually a pair of skins can be made in one day, provided they were gelcoated the night before. Full fenders with no 'hood support' will take about a day each, and full fenders with the full inner support will be 2 days each, a day to make the fender and inner support, and another day to bond them together properly. I'll probably end up referring to them as skins, full skins and full fenders or something like that.

As far as having sales in any type of order, I really don't have any lists as of yet. I would like to pull a few skins out of the molds first to help season the mold before I pull a 'full skin', but that is kinda of irrelevant. Once I have the molds finished, I'll start another thread for sales. Once I do that I'll give everyone a heads up and you can post in the sales thread for an order.
Shipping these bad boys is going to be interesting. So far I've found that bicycle boxes are the best way to package them, and I'm thinking the best/cheapest shipping method would be by truck freight, but I can ship them UPS or DHL if needed.

I hope once I get some fenders made, that I will get some pics of them installed from customers pretty quick. That's why I said a few months for pics. By new years I'm hoping to have a few fenders sold, pics of them mounted, and alot of molds for other things under way :two:.

I should specify, I'm making the 2" wider opening fender first, as that seems to be the most popular in the poll, and also would be a good size for dropped trucks that need a little more clearance for big wheels. Then I'll do a 4" or 5" larger opening, and flared versions of both will follow if there is still demand for them.

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

I originally voted "If the price is right, the size opening doesn't matter", but the more I think about it , I would prefere a flared fender. I'm just not sure how much of a flare yet.

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Hey a quick update. I just got back from Colorado today. Tomorrow I'm going to pull the molds for the inner support and clean and polish them. Then as soon as I get the metal I am going to get going on the fender molds.

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

something I've been wondering about is if some one makes a flexible plastic version of the 67-72 inner fenders, something along the line of those on late model chevy pickups.

As far as clearanced fenders go, this is what the Previous owner did to the front fenders (bed openings still stock) of my truck in order to fit his wide 35s (equiped with puny 31s currently..) with a 4" lift.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28...r4/newbed4.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28...r4/newbed2.jpg

Re: Interest for High rise(pre-runner style?) Fenders Fiberglass
 

Do you or anyone else make a set of regular 71 GMC fenders and a cowl hood in fiberglass? I'd want inner fenders, too.