A friend of mine can build anything from fiberglass. Example: molds for major brand name boat manufacturers then build the boat.

I'm thinking of asking for an A Pillar pod for my 85SD. Does anyone have any interest? Would you prefer a 3 or 4 gauge pod? It looks like the gauges could be installed so the pod profile wouldn't affect visibility. Comments?

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

A 2 gauge pillar would also be sweet. Boost and EGT is all I need to monitor.

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'81 300SD- OM617.951, Euro Head Lights, Hella 550's, 2.5" Turbo-Back Straight Pipe, ALDA Removed, Camo Dash + Seat Covers, Boost Gauge, DU Floor Mats, Cobra CB, LED Trunk lights, and other things...


'03 Chevy CCSB LT LB7 "P-Stroke Killer"
219K mi. - AirDog II 165, EFI Live, Alligator Stage V, ISSPRO EV2 Pyro/Boost, PPE Boost Valve, LML Manifold, MBRP Downpipe, Debadged, Bills Custom 3.5" Turbo Horn, B&W Hitch, S&B Intake

I would be down for a 2 or 3 gauge for the W126 (gen 2 but don't think it makes a difference)

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1986 300 SDL - rolling parts car and test bed.
1987 300 SDL - semi daily driver.
1977 U1000 Unimog
2007 Ram 2500 6.7l

I am interested in making carbon fiber panels, e.g, hood, trunk lid, fenders, and maybe doors. I believe this will reduce the car's weight by at least 300 pounds. Not sure if this will affect any safety issues, but it will improve fuel economy and performance. I removed the stock air box and installed a cone filter. I understand there is some dispute over this upgrade, but I have noticed significant improvement. Maybe just the 15 pounds is the reason. Does your friend who works in fiberglass have any experience or insight into carbon fiber molds? Small experiements in making the fuel door flap is more difficult than I thought.

I watched some students at the local university make some carbon parts for their alternative fueled car. The process looked similar to working glass but I have done neither. I'll ask the next time I see him.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

FG needs skill and patience. CF needs vacuum and an oven in addition to skill and patience.
I've made a few things out of FG and they turned out well but they all took far more time and material than I estimated even with the prior experience! Making an excellent mould is key to a good final product.

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I don't know the same things that you don't know.

Shayne

85 W126 SD OM617.951
87 409D 650S OM617.913
93 E34 Touring M50B25TU
02 E46 Sport M54B30TU

This guy is a pro & has been working glass for years. I've seen him take a hot tub, cut a center section out, make a mold for the newly sized hot tub, make some new tubs to check the mold before sending it to the factory, put the cut hot tub back together and sell it and the samples as part of his compensation.

I also watched as he repaired the missing rear quarter of a fishing boat so the repair couldn't be detected. He kept and used the boat for a few years so must have been confident in the repair integrity. New gelcoat & everything.

What he builds depends on your being willing to pay the price and him having time to get it done fitting your project around his major projects. This will be more of a favor done when he has time or perhaps I'll do some grunt work under supervision. Perhaps I'll go visit on Friday.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Battery voltage is very nice. But I'd stop there.

Hot tub? Usually the inner shell is vac-formed ABS/polycarbonate alloy with the fiberglass chopper-gun sprayed on the shell as air and water fittings/tubing are applied.

I'd consider a nice zebrano-wood pillar.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

There is still a mold for the tub. He made the old then repaired the tub, put it back together then sold it cheap.

Regarding the Zebrano pillar, another friend can build anything you want out of wood. He copied the remaining antique senate chair & made an entire set when the TN state capitol was refurbished. I've seen him build from the upper part of an antique cabinet ( I don' t know the proper name) stressing the inlay to match the one on the bottom. He also has a vacuum bag for working veneer. Got your check book out?

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.