Need Help Asap!!!

[63T-Bolt]

If anyone here has a fox body center console lid that ISNT broken I am needing your help NOW!!

I am trying to make a mold of one to reproduce this piece, but the lid I am using is broken and I need to replicate the tang that is broken off for my mold to be accurate so it will work correctly. If you can measure some things for me I would greatly appreciate it!!!

By looking at this picture you should be able to understand what measurements I am needing.

I need to know how big the gap is on the sides, as well as the front of the tang. Hopefully someone here knows what I am talking about and can do this for me. Once I get these measurements I can make my mold and produce some of these pieces........

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/images/LRS-13530.jpg

[Bubstang]

What year? If that is the same as on a convert, mine is in a box somewhere. Took it off to reduce the 4 lbs or whatever it weighs.

[63T-Bolt]

Any 87-93 will work.

[Bubstang]

you just need the black part?
want me to mail it or take pics and measure it?

call if you want 832-515-8880

[trbstang]

If Bubba can't get his, I still have mine on my car. It has a bit of "reinforcement" behind the latch where it broke, and I glued it back together.

I've seen pics of the metal replacement ones, but I've always thought they were a bit pricey. A reasonably priced reinforced plastic one would be a great product.

Thomas

[63T-Bolt]

If Bubba can't get his, I still have mine on my car. It has a bit of "reinforcement" behind the latch where it broke, and I glued it back together.

I've seen pics of the metal replacement ones, but I've always thought they were a bit pricey. A reasonably priced reinforced plastic one would be a great product.

Thomas

Pics of how you reinforced yours would be great as well. I am going to make my piece out of .125" thick Kydex, instead of the .090 thick abs they used from the factory. Kydex is a bit better when it comes to flexing and not breaking than abs.. hence why I am using it instead of abs. Also with it being thicker already that will help it as well. I have lexan, kydex, and abs at my disposal, as well as all sorts of sheet metal to fabricate something that would be a waste of time......


One other idea I am wanting to cover on it, is do the side gaps really need to be there (in the latch area.) If they dont then I dont see why I cant make the flange straight across instead. This will make it even stronger. Once done I will have a part that will be stronger than the stock item, just as light, and the ability to produce other pieces when time allows me to.

[trbstang]

I went outside and looked at mine during lunch. From what I can see, there does not need to be a gap on the sides of the tang, but only an angle at the front to clear the angled edge of the armrest base. Ford probably designed it that way for a smooth surface. The critical dimensions I see are the distance of the tang edge to the base (needs to be big enough to catch on the bottom part of the latch, but not too big) and the distance from the back of the panel to the top of the rubber bumpers. These two things together keep the lid tightly closed.

Are you planning to make it a fairly exact replica including the recessed center part?

As for my reinforcement, I just included a couple of finishing nails in my epoxy when I glued the tang back in place. They are covered by the vinyl part of the armrest. I was thinking about using a small piece of metal, but in true pomofo fashion, I just grabbed what was handy. :D

I had an idea a while back for a replacement tang that could be bolted in place using the front two screws holding the vinyl part to the plastic part. But without resources or knowledge on how to do it, I never did anything with it.

I can take some pics and measure tonight if you want.

Thomas

[OK91LX]

Pics of how you reinforced yours would be great as well. I am going to make my piece out of .125" thick Kydex, instead of the .090 thick abs they used from the factory. Kydex is a bit better when it comes to flexing and not breaking than abs.. hence why I am using it instead of abs. Also with it being thicker already that will help it as well. I have lexan, kydex, and abs at my disposal, as well as all sorts of sheet metal to fabricate something that would be a waste of time......


One other idea I am wanting to cover on it, is do the side gaps really need to be there (in the latch area.) If they dont then I dont see why I cant make the flange straight across instead. This will make it even stronger. Once done I will have a part that will be stronger than the stock item, just as light, and the ability to produce other pieces when time allows me to.


I need 2 please... Let me know where to send payment and I'll do local pickup..



Todd

[trbstang]

LOL Todd! Already placing orders!

Here are some close up pics of mine. I'll try to pull it out and take some measurements later this weekend.

http://statefilingsoftware.com/pictures/armrest001.jpg
http://statefilingsoftware.com/pictures/armrest002.jpg
http://statefilingsoftware.com/pictures/armrest003.jpg

[63T-Bolt]

Yea if you could take measurements for me I would like that. How far the tab comes down would be great too!

[63T-Bolt]

Well I have made a bit of progress on the lid. Taking the broke one with the glued in placed mods home today to see how it works so I can correct what is needed to produce the final product. Basically I have enclosed the sides of the tang that breaks off to give it more strength. Who knows... it might be strong enough to break the lock off now.... hahaha!

[63T-Bolt]

Well here you guys go as far as teh "proto type" goes. I did some more measuring work on the car and I can make the opening smaller, but then who says ford held tight production tolerances on something like this years ago.... so it will stay the same.

Overall I am happy with how it looks, fits, and from the way it looks the way its designed now it shouldnt break loose for a looooong looooong loooong time!!!

http://members.cox.net/carlaswain/Picture%20136.jpg
http://members.cox.net/carlaswain/Picture%20139.jpg

[white87306]

Hey pat if your gonna start making these could you sponsor my Fairlane. I'll throw one in the trunk and tell everyone that I gained 2 tenths with it. :thumb:

[63T-Bolt]

I have to find a sponsor to get me the money so I could sponsor someone else.....


If all goes ok with my slacking work schedule.... I shall be making the mold and waiting on myself to finish fixing a new box and other tid bits for my machine....

Dont you hate it when your waiting on someone to finish something... especially when its your self!!!

[white87306]

Yep. self waiting sucks.

Are you building a console for the Bolt?
I've bid on some on Ebay. There was one in very good condition that went for $350.00 :eek: . I am still loking but I will probably end up making something. I'd like to see pics of yours when it is done, and some of the assembly process if possible.

[63T-Bolt]

I have thought about it.... but there has been a lot of thought as to what I WAS going or not going to do with the car..... times change and whats going to happen i dont even know....


Hopefully I can make a few other pieces that could net me a few bucks on the side so i can afford to do some other things this year...... ;)