Barn Door for JK factory hardtops

[jscherb]

very true, good luck getting them perfect- they look pretty good with your safari top, I thought they'd be a little too much

Thank you. I'm very happy with how the cardboard mockup looks (and how the front fenders look as well), but I'm still making a few minor tweaks to the cardboard mockup to perfect the look. I like the look of the flat fenders a lot better than the factory fenders, especially with the Safari Cab - both being retro-styled, I think they complement each other well.

 

[akpostal]

Ill take a set in matt black please.

 

[jscherb]

Ill take a set in matt black please.

If I decide to make any for people or if some company picks them up you can be first on the list. But I'm not thinking about the future of these right now, like I said I'm focused first on getting the design right and second on making a set for my Jeep.

 

[akpostal]

Im actually more stoked about the sliding rear windows, but I wouldnt say no to the fenders.

Ill still claim first in line for the fenders.

If I had your Jeep Ild match the color of the fenders to the hardtop, but thats me.

 

[PaulJensen]

 

[jscherb]

Im actually more stoked about the sliding rear windows, but I wouldnt say no to the fenders...

The hardware manufacturer tells me their schedule has them shipping preproduction 2dr retrofit kits by the end of next week, so things are moving along well.

 

[akpostal]

 

[jscherb]

Not me, the company that's bringing the slider windows to market can take your money. I just design this stuff for my own enjoyment .

 

[jscherb]

One of the details I'm still playing with is how the rear inside edge of the wheel arch gets trimmed - because the bumper wraps so far forward towards the wheel arch, the front of the bumper can be forward of the back inside edge of the fender wheel arch. There are a number of ways to trim the fender to accomodate this. Also, different aftermarket bumpers might look better with one of the trim options below or even a different one. I'm going to make the molds so that any of the trimming options below are possible so I don't have to decide this now, but here are a few ways it could be done...

 

[jscherb]

I painted the cardboard black to better see how the final fenders might look. I didn't paint the fiberglass mounting flange because I'll need to bond the rest of the mold master parts to it, so I darkened that with my paint program. Also the rear inside edge is trimmed as per option "E" from the earlier post today. At best though, painted carbdboard is still only an approximation of what the final fiberglass fenders will look like (if you squint a little they look more like the final version ).

 

[jscherb]

A few more.

 

[jgaz]

As far as the method of the rear edge matching the bumper.

I prefer "E" angle trim.

Nice Job!

 

[Comanche Scott]

Hi Jeff,

I like the design. Matches the front fenders well, for a balanced look.
I also like the idea of them being nice and smooth coming out of the mold. It's easy to add texture. It's a pita to make textured items smooth.

 

[thechadwick]

I like the "B" small radius the most as it preserves the "flatty" look, but also matches the rear bumper in as unobtrusive a way as can be done I think. Can't help wondering what it would look like with the original side step running board as well. The way they both terminate now into open space due to the rubi rails makes me wonder if a heavy duty steel running board that matched the fenders (especially from the angle of picture 1) wouldn't look interesting and provide protection? Out of curiosity, what are your plans for the FSJ front end regarding the flat fenders? Last I remember, your plan of attack was new grill, new hood no change to fenders?

These fabrication projects of yours are extremely interesting and inspiring to watch. If you don't mind could you describe a little what your process looks like from the conceptual point of view? Where would you say you develop most of your plans eg. went to SEMA and saw a gap in X product line, or do you rely more on just the little "hey that would be cool if" type moments? Hope that doesn't come off as "fan-boyism", just genuinely curious on that step of the creative process through the myriad side-shoots that have stemmed from the original barn-door thread I started reading last year. Great Stuff!

 

[akpostal]

Not me, the company that's bringing the slider windows to market can take your money. I just design this stuff for my own enjoyment .

I know its not you, I just cant wait to get the slider kit.

I like the straight trim.