Carbon fiber tailgate

[bdydrpds10]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

Depending on price I would be interested in a CF Ty tailgate like JWaller

mentioned.:tup:

 

[SnakeEater]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

For a good price, I would be interested in a tailgate and a stock hood for my 92 Ty............

 

[warmpancakes]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

Id like a smooth panel sy gate basically without the dip and no handle weight I dont care and I dont plan on sitting on it like Marty Ill be driving mine I just want the sweet look. Also how difficult would it be to build a spoiler into it? kinda like the Lund one? I would even buy 2 gates if needed to make this happen.

 

[CarbonFiber AWD]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

there we go..........the last three posts are trying to get their votes in. That is more encouraging for sure. :tup:
Obviously we need to establish a majority number for the final design. The substructure and strength for each buyer can be an option choice .The basic structure and panels will look the same .
I have received emails from some who feel the "smoothie" gate appears lifeless and cheap ?? And that the factory lines minus the handle and port would be the design of choice.
Any opinions ??
.................Vinny

 

[CarbonFiber AWD]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

Likewise, I would be interested in a "race only" tailgate "skin". I could try to pull some strings where I work and see about getting a mold cut. My guess is Renwood isn't an option as far as carbon fiber is concerned. That would be the ideal material to make a prototype mold that isn't going to be making hundreds of parts. We use it quite a bit for quick turn around times with our customers.

The other option is CT&J (cast tool and jig) aluminum but that will be VERY expensive. The surfacing tool path for ONE tool alone would prolly be close to 48 hours straight. Material cost plus machine time will put the cost well into several thousand dollars just to cut the mold... Let me know if I can help out on the tooling end any.

Mike......can the Renwood be successfully coated with epoxy tooling gelcoats ? If the surface can withstand heat absorbtion and react with contraction/expansion.....it might bare well ?
On the other hand......I'm thinking that modding the factory gate and body working it to perfection for the plug is a big portion of the work. Building the Infusion mold with the tooling gel added first will yield a longer lasting surface finish and stay true to form.
I guess I'll take my gate off and begin the planning of the plug. In the mean time.........those solid for a gate, PM me for your spec and strength needs. I'll begin the steps to estimate time and materials as I can.
.............Vinny

 

[SY2932]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

I'll have to do some research on the interaction, if any, between Renwood and the epoxy tooling gelcoats you mentioned. Unfortunately being that it's the weekend rules out any technical questions to the manufacturer if need be. Renwood handles heat pretty well as the nature of our tooling is for the thermoforming industry. A heated plastic sheet is positioned over a mold and then vacuum is applied drawing the plastic down into the mold. To help "push" the material into the mold we sometimes use plugs as well. We cut our plugs out of syntactic foam which is the insulation material that is used in nuclear submarines. It is VERY expensive and is HIGHLY abrasive and dulls anything quickly. Tools that are used to machine it are undersize afterwards and cannot be used for anything else.

If a finished product comes to fruitation, I would like a "smooth" tail gate as mentioned previously. That is, no "dip" in the tailgate and a shaved latch mechanism (it would be perfectly smooth across the back). For the sake of simplicity, it would prolly be best to have a latch mechanism on both sides that are independant to secure it. That way, there wouldn't have to deal with linkage and whatnot. This would also help keep the weight down. A set up that was visable from inside the bed wouldn't bother me any as I always have my tonneau cover on.

 

[Raist103]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

For a good price, I would be interested in a tailgate and a stock hood for my 92 Ty............

same here but would like a way to open the gate without the ugly stock handle. and of coarse if the price is right.

i like the bend in the stock gate.

 

[CarbonFiber AWD]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

I would imagine that I could use one mold for the inside substructure and have two option for the face skin .
1> totally smooth ( lacking the convex inward curve)( bare in mind...removing those shapes will loose tension and stiffness,naturally) and devoid of handle !
2> Factory convex shape and devoid of handle.
1&2..........both designs with provisions for inboard/bed handle mechanism.......or not.
The Typhoon gates ??? .....any opinions there?? :tup:
Vinny

 

[warmpancakes]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

How many do you need to sell to make this happen? 10? 15? 20? Let me know any price range ?

 

[jwaller]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

for the ty gates I say stick with the stock shape. I don't think there will be as many ppl interested, and thus keeping it simple would be the best optioin and I think would draw more interest. for those not wanting the handle they can just get a SS or chrome plug to put in the hole where the latch handle goes. I think I can be put down for 2 ty gates.

 

[warmpancakes]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

How about fenders next? I have a set here ill send you.

 

[CarbonFiber AWD]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

How many do you need to sell to make this happen? 10? 15? 20? Let me know any price range ?

I estimate that the first 4-5 gates made and paid for will cover the R&D build investments. I'd like to think the Sy/Ty family will realize this endeavors expense and time allotment from me and support this with little to no whining of parts cost in that I'll be fronting these parts Initially ? I am a nice guy and love cars and car people, but just like you I am also reasonable......and quick to avoid negative deadbeats who drag projects down just because they can.
I have gotten to know several members abit over time and had dealing s with them one on one, and I find their character quite worthy of trust and patience for the most part !
Lets try to NAIL down these design configurations and then I'll attempt the final per item costs and options ?
Oh, by the way.....I'm not going anywhere or dissapearing with these molds either. They will remain in the parts library for further use.....or untill I'm dirt napping !
.............Vinny

 

[CarbonFiber AWD]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

for the ty gates I say stick with the stock shape. I don't think there will be as many ppl interested, and thus keeping it simple would be the best optioin and I think would draw more interest. for those not wanting the handle they can just get a SS or chrome plug to put in the hole where the latch handle goes. I think I can be put down for 2 ty gates.

That sounds smart to me. For the Ty gate plug or Parent part donor, should I look for anything in particular ? Or are these Blazer/Jimmy gates as well ?
.........Vinny

 

[CarbonFiber AWD]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

How about fenders next? I have a set here ill send you.

I have a set of T/A fender vents from the 71-75 cars I have always wanted to graft into our fenders.......of course for function. I hate to be a copy-cat and have been told this has been done ?
Are you meaning a non-vented stock part ?
.........Vinny

 

[Try Me]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

I would definitely want the stock appearing gate minus the hole and release lever...

 

[warmpancakes]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

Just factory fenders, Give me a ballpark price for the first 4-5 people for development

 

[CarbonFiber AWD]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

Just factory fenders, Give me a ballpark price for the first 4-5 people for development

Hmmmm.Looking at the fender I'd say we're looking at 1 main and 2 support molds per fender, minimum. Thats six molds for a pair or set of fenders.
It would require the sale of 10 sets minimum to justify the tooling cost etc. A ESTIMATE ( read "estimate" ) of a set would be in the 550-750.00$ range and would be completely "bolt-on" as a replacement panel.
I'm surprised the request for ventilation wasn't mentioned ? I like the idea for my own. Now would be time to design that in rather than later. But I guess an additional outer shell mold isn't out of the question intirely as long as the numbers support the efforts.
..............Vinny

 

[warmpancakes]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

considering GM fenders are over 300.00 each im going to have to drum up some interest.

 

[libertysyclone]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

I would be in on a stock appearing gate - handle or an inside one. Cladding would be awesome if it could be done and with the price of oem perfect cladding i would assume that it wouldnt cost that much more. In the future a hood and fenders would also be nice, hell while your at it make a bed & a cab too! . another thing to remember is that all these pieces are not syty specific excluding the cladding, so you might want to hit up the s series boards for more people also.

 

[CarbonFiber AWD]

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate

I would be in on a stock appearing gate - handle or an inside one. Cladding would be awesome if it could be done and with the price of oem perfect cladding i would assume that it wouldnt cost that much more. In the future a hood and fenders would also be nice, hell while your at it make a bed & a cab too! . another thing to remember is that all these pieces are not syty specific excluding the cladding, so you might want to hit up the s series boards for more people also.

The cladding on my truck and the spare second set is what I've begun to set-up for cladding. I spent a small fortune for it as have many of you. Some Sy/Ty members were VERY gracious with their prices and made it somewhat affordable to me. Thanks for that BTW.
But I'll need some Typhoon help when it comes time for the non cross-reference cladding pieces.
The best news is they won't HAVE to be painted or bodyworked unless you just can't stand seeing the weave of the CF ! So that alone will ( in the end) make the purchase of a full set more justifiable I would think......don't you ?
I did a weight test some time ago and there tends to be about 2/3rds weight reduction per part. Some more dramatic and some less....but it was a big difference. Argue all you want. Fiberglass is another story............. As far as posting on the S-10 boards.....I'll wait on something like that. I'm not wanting to get burried with a deluge of Emails from tire kickers and obvious question askers......not right now anyway. I'm not really saying they are like that, but I'm very busy and I've opened this up here for the Sy/Ty crowd first. I'll need to honor those requests first....know what I mean ??.......................Vinny

( warmpancakes:quote:
Super Member

Re: Carbon fiber tailgate
considering GM fenders are over 300.00 each im going to have to drum up some interest.
__________________

I had seen that while checking factory replacement costs. I think the estimate for CF is realistic and doable. If it were to vary.....it would be due to Composite related costs and availaability.
So go for it Warmpancakes ! I appreciate the footwork, Lord knows I'm head down most of the time fabbing and laying up and cleaning and designing. I only post on here when I'm letting something cure,bake,flash or need a breather !!lol
Vinny