Anyone ever try it? Been thinking it wouldn't be terribly difficult, in theory, and might make a fun winter project. My original thought was to start with a styrofoam core to shape into the design you wanted and fiberglass over it but figured that wouldn't have much structural integrity. Then I wondered about finding a set of used / damaged fiberglass sides to use the existing mounting points and shape them by adding material (obviously fiberglass but also some metal along the bottom edge for support / protection, some kind of lighter gauge rod maybe).

Was thinking something along the lines of an INGS with a flared bottom, or maybe a less aggressive version of the S14 URAS sides.

Biggest reasons for an idea like this would be to kill time over the winter and end up with a side skirt at exactly the height you want. Obvious cons are difficulty in hand forming something that will match from one side to the other, making it strong enough to drive around with, keeping it from getting too heavy for the mounting points, taking probably all winter before finding out it was a stupid idea, the list goes on.

Anyone ever give it a try? If so, would love to hear some thoughts. I get bored easily and I'm about to be retired from the Army so I'm going to have a lot of time on my hands for the next few months.

 

Hand-made body kits just make me think of this hand-made bodywork I saw.

 

It reminds me of that guy that was convinced you could paper mache things. He started a thread on here to make a G and Exotic. Honestly hand molding side skirts seems more work than worth, but this is coming from the guy who just finished dual ring tails, and the one who removed everything to properly detail his car..... So if you think you will enjoy it, then go for it.

 

Sorry I asked, should have known better.

 

NO NO NO dont think were Burning you and your idea. Every wide body kit is basically a hand molded bodykit. It will just take time. It takes a LOT of work to use fiberglass well. Te best way if you have never used it, is to try and build a sub box with it. That is what I did, and from that, I know how to use it well. When I fix my bumper that is fiberglass, I fix it not a shop. Its basically the same thing. Just a little easier since im not going from scratch.

 

I'm aware, I've done sub enclosures and kick panels out of fiberglass and am currently working on some for the G as well. I know it's going to be a ton of work and that's fine, like I said I'm going to have nothing but time on my hands for a while.

Probably should have simplified my questions up top and started with: How should I go about bracing a piece that's as thin and long as a sideskirt? Will light guage metal tubing work or will it be strong enough with enough mat/cloth? I don't have aftermaket sides at the moment so I have no baseline for comparison.

 

I believe this was the method people used back in the day before aftermarket kits were available to the public. If you put in enough work you can make something unique that's pretty awesome. Starting on some side skirts would probably be your best bet too.

 

i think your best shot would be to modify oem skirts. They are pretty plain so you have a good blank canvas to work with, plus the fitment is already there so you can just concentrate on the design.

 

^Starting with an OEM skirt is the way to go for sure.

 

This is your best bet^^^

 

Wouldn't use the OEM sides for a couple reasons. Biggest issue is that Poly and fiberglass won't work as well with each other as fiberglass and fiberglass (if it's doable at all, I don't know). Since I'd have to buy a set of sides anyway (rather than drive around with no sides for the several weeks/months this would take) it seems like a set of used fiberglass sides would make more sense: already modified to correct fitment issues if they've been used, and already lower than the OEM sides so if nothing else it's less material to add later.

 

lol. To do it right, create an Auto Cad design and just get them made somewhere, China is probably hella cheap, order a container full and sell the rest : )