Plastic Body
- dalkill
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Plastic Body
A while back I saw a top gear episode where they had a sports car made mostly of riggid plastic, and the body of the car was produced in SA.
Now I gots to thinking, what if one could make replica body of SFA of this rigid plastic. THis should surely make the vehicle much lighter and more economical....
Now I gots to thinking, what if one could make replica body of SFA of this rigid plastic. THis should surely make the vehicle much lighter and more economical....
2016 2.4GD6 SR D/C 4x4 (Oct 2022 - current) (Buraaq VI)
2007 d4d 3.0 D/C 4x4 (Mar 2016 - July 2022) (Buraaq V)
2003 Isuzu KB300 D/C 4x4 (May 2015 - Feb 2016) aka Buraaq IV
2000 hilux DC 2.7 4x4 (Jul 2011 - Sep 2012) aka Buraaq III
1999 RXI 20v (Nov 2009 - Jul 2011) aka Quicksilver
1990 hilux DC 2.2 4x4 (Jun 2008 - Jul 2011) aka Buraaq II
1997 corolla 160i GLE (Feb 2007 - Sep 2009) aka Green Goblin
1990 GLI twincam (still my fav rolla) (Oct 2005 - Mar 2007) aka Wit Blitz
Golf GTI 2.0 (temp insanity for 2months) (Jun 2005 - Aug 2005) aka A mistake
1993 hilux SC 2.2 4x4 (April 2003 - Sept 2005) aka Buraaq
TOYOTA IS MY LEWE
2007 d4d 3.0 D/C 4x4 (Mar 2016 - July 2022) (Buraaq V)
2003 Isuzu KB300 D/C 4x4 (May 2015 - Feb 2016) aka Buraaq IV
2000 hilux DC 2.7 4x4 (Jul 2011 - Sep 2012) aka Buraaq III
1999 RXI 20v (Nov 2009 - Jul 2011) aka Quicksilver
1990 hilux DC 2.2 4x4 (Jun 2008 - Jul 2011) aka Buraaq II
1997 corolla 160i GLE (Feb 2007 - Sep 2009) aka Green Goblin
1990 GLI twincam (still my fav rolla) (Oct 2005 - Mar 2007) aka Wit Blitz
Golf GTI 2.0 (temp insanity for 2months) (Jun 2005 - Aug 2005) aka A mistake
1993 hilux SC 2.2 4x4 (April 2003 - Sept 2005) aka Buraaq
TOYOTA IS MY LEWE
- CasKru
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Re: Plastic Body
If I'm not not mistaken, that factory is somewhere in PE :Geek:
To God be the glory
- hilex08
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Re: Plastic Body
years ago there was a factory in mtubatuba, dunno if they still excist,
saw some hilux fibre glass bodies they made, and very close to the real mc coy
saw some hilux fibre glass bodies they made, and very close to the real mc coy
- Bfreesani
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Re: Plastic Body
That company does not exist anymore, but have moved on to start up another. They were the original owners of the Sani corporation that was bought up and closed down due to the possible competition for the Xtrail and then the Terrano and with the Pathfinder already launched abroad. They produced the Nissan Sani and I believe one of the conditions to closing the company was a restraint of trade agreement whereby they may not produce any body for a Nissan. But I think if you can get hold of them, they have no restriction on Toyota's.
The guys are now producing fiberglass cabs for roadgraders (think it was Caterpillar) .. For the life of me I can't find the link to the website. Will continue looking
The guys are now producing fiberglass cabs for roadgraders (think it was Caterpillar) .. For the life of me I can't find the link to the website. Will continue looking
Later....
David
Hillbilly
David
Hillbilly
- dalkill
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Re: Plastic Body
This would be great for coastal regions where the vehicles suffer from alot fo rust as well...
But what could one replace... fenders, bonnet, door... could you rplace the entire cab as well?
But what could one replace... fenders, bonnet, door... could you rplace the entire cab as well?
2016 2.4GD6 SR D/C 4x4 (Oct 2022 - current) (Buraaq VI)
2007 d4d 3.0 D/C 4x4 (Mar 2016 - July 2022) (Buraaq V)
2003 Isuzu KB300 D/C 4x4 (May 2015 - Feb 2016) aka Buraaq IV
2000 hilux DC 2.7 4x4 (Jul 2011 - Sep 2012) aka Buraaq III
1999 RXI 20v (Nov 2009 - Jul 2011) aka Quicksilver
1990 hilux DC 2.2 4x4 (Jun 2008 - Jul 2011) aka Buraaq II
1997 corolla 160i GLE (Feb 2007 - Sep 2009) aka Green Goblin
1990 GLI twincam (still my fav rolla) (Oct 2005 - Mar 2007) aka Wit Blitz
Golf GTI 2.0 (temp insanity for 2months) (Jun 2005 - Aug 2005) aka A mistake
1993 hilux SC 2.2 4x4 (April 2003 - Sept 2005) aka Buraaq
TOYOTA IS MY LEWE
2007 d4d 3.0 D/C 4x4 (Mar 2016 - July 2022) (Buraaq V)
2003 Isuzu KB300 D/C 4x4 (May 2015 - Feb 2016) aka Buraaq IV
2000 hilux DC 2.7 4x4 (Jul 2011 - Sep 2012) aka Buraaq III
1999 RXI 20v (Nov 2009 - Jul 2011) aka Quicksilver
1990 hilux DC 2.2 4x4 (Jun 2008 - Jul 2011) aka Buraaq II
1997 corolla 160i GLE (Feb 2007 - Sep 2009) aka Green Goblin
1990 GLI twincam (still my fav rolla) (Oct 2005 - Mar 2007) aka Wit Blitz
Golf GTI 2.0 (temp insanity for 2months) (Jun 2005 - Aug 2005) aka A mistake
1993 hilux SC 2.2 4x4 (April 2003 - Sept 2005) aka Buraaq
TOYOTA IS MY LEWE
- Scorpion
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Re: Plastic Body
I've saw the Hilux fiberglass shells a long time ago, and you could replace every single body panel, including the cab. Not sure if it's the same company, though.
1988 Hilex D/C 4x4 (Import spec), Lexus V8; Marlin Crawler; Custom Suspension: front and new 4 link in the rear; Disc Brake conversion rear; 35" Cooper STT tyres; Xenon lights; Custom bullbar;Next? Aircon; new front seats, redo the whole interior in nice soft leather, Respray, Double Lockers
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1978 Land Cruiser HJ45
1971 Mercedes Benz 280S Automatic
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- JohanM
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Re: Plastic Body
I am just wondering how the fibreglass will hold up to the vibrations of corrugated roads in the long run and how safe it would be in the event of a mishap or roll over ect.....
I still prefer the hard cage.... :roll:
I still prefer the hard cage.... :roll:
Johan Marais
- dalkill
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Re: Plastic Body
but with plastic it should handle the vibrations better than fiberglass...
also worried about the safety aspect. maybe keep the cab and just replace fenders and doors.. should be a bit safer.
also worried about the safety aspect. maybe keep the cab and just replace fenders and doors.. should be a bit safer.
2016 2.4GD6 SR D/C 4x4 (Oct 2022 - current) (Buraaq VI)
2007 d4d 3.0 D/C 4x4 (Mar 2016 - July 2022) (Buraaq V)
2003 Isuzu KB300 D/C 4x4 (May 2015 - Feb 2016) aka Buraaq IV
2000 hilux DC 2.7 4x4 (Jul 2011 - Sep 2012) aka Buraaq III
1999 RXI 20v (Nov 2009 - Jul 2011) aka Quicksilver
1990 hilux DC 2.2 4x4 (Jun 2008 - Jul 2011) aka Buraaq II
1997 corolla 160i GLE (Feb 2007 - Sep 2009) aka Green Goblin
1990 GLI twincam (still my fav rolla) (Oct 2005 - Mar 2007) aka Wit Blitz
Golf GTI 2.0 (temp insanity for 2months) (Jun 2005 - Aug 2005) aka A mistake
1993 hilux SC 2.2 4x4 (April 2003 - Sept 2005) aka Buraaq
TOYOTA IS MY LEWE
2007 d4d 3.0 D/C 4x4 (Mar 2016 - July 2022) (Buraaq V)
2003 Isuzu KB300 D/C 4x4 (May 2015 - Feb 2016) aka Buraaq IV
2000 hilux DC 2.7 4x4 (Jul 2011 - Sep 2012) aka Buraaq III
1999 RXI 20v (Nov 2009 - Jul 2011) aka Quicksilver
1990 hilux DC 2.2 4x4 (Jun 2008 - Jul 2011) aka Buraaq II
1997 corolla 160i GLE (Feb 2007 - Sep 2009) aka Green Goblin
1990 GLI twincam (still my fav rolla) (Oct 2005 - Mar 2007) aka Wit Blitz
Golf GTI 2.0 (temp insanity for 2months) (Jun 2005 - Aug 2005) aka A mistake
1993 hilux SC 2.2 4x4 (April 2003 - Sept 2005) aka Buraaq
TOYOTA IS MY LEWE
- ThysdJ
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Re: Plastic Body
I dont think it is less safe than a steel body. I would just install a good roll bar.. Lotus and Corvette have been building fibreglass sports cars for ages.. and a good thick layer of fibreglass can be stronger than 2.5 mm steel.dalkill wrote:also worried about the safety aspect. maybe keep the cab and just replace fenders and doors.. should be a bit safer.
The problem in replacing just the doors and fenders is that they might not fit 100%... and rattle and not be dust proof... :roll:
Thys de Jager
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Re: Plastic Body
Thys I agree, because then it becomes similar to the others on the road like Rand Lovers or Dustbins....Kaspaas wrote:The problem in replacing just the doors and fenders is that they might not fit 100%... and rattle and not be dust proof... :roll:
Johan Marais
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Re: Plastic Body
It is not all that difficult to make moulds of your metal fenders/body panels and then cast your own fibreglass body panels, but it is a sticky, dusty, smelly job and you need heaps of space.. The bonus is once you have the moulds, you can reproduce many replicas and sell them to other people who want replacement fibreglass panels...
Thys de Jager
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- JohanM
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Re: Plastic Body
Thys, but I am sure you have more than enough space at home to start the idea, you can maybe even ask niel to join in seeming that he is becoming rapidly very handy in building stuff....
Johan Marais
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Re: Plastic Body
Ive seen a complete fibreglass Hilux Surf but nooo!! idea were it came from :?
Would be a huge benefit down here at the coast.
The X-Trail has plastic fenders that you can actually push in with your hand and they just pop back into shape again when you let go a pretty cool feature for offroad I think
Would be a huge benefit down here at the coast.
The X-Trail has plastic fenders that you can actually push in with your hand and they just pop back into shape again when you let go a pretty cool feature for offroad I think
- ThysdJ
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Re: Plastic Body
My place is too small, and I have worked in fibreglass before Johan, and never at my house again. You dont understand where that fine dust creeps in, it goes all over the place, and it makes you itch as well... NO NO NO... One day when I win the Lotto and I can afford to rent a little workshop about 5km away from my house I will consider it...JohanM wrote:Thys, but I am sure you have more than enough space at home to start the idea, you can maybe even ask niel to join in seeming that he is becoming rapidly very handy in building stuff....
Thys de Jager
Fired as CEO and Refreshments Manager at Team Offroad.
2018 FJ Cruiser - #stofgevreet
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email: thysdj@gmail.com
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Fired as CEO and Refreshments Manager at Team Offroad.
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1984 Mercedes 126 Black Widow Vernon Koekemoer Edition
email: thysdj@gmail.com
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- Bfreesani
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Re: Plastic Body
If the surf was anything like the Maverick and the Sani, they are complete fiber glass with only the bonnet and doors being metal. EVen the big talegate is fiberglass. They say the vehicle would be around 300Kg heavier to have the same strength but in metal.
Later....
David
Hillbilly
David
Hillbilly
- JohanM
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Re: Plastic Body
David,
That is a very interesting fact to know. However, I am sure that with the technology they used, it is pretty safe though..... :roll:
That is a very interesting fact to know. However, I am sure that with the technology they used, it is pretty safe though..... :roll:
Johan Marais