Ridge Runner 1,112 Report post Posted February 25, 2016 I started on the fiberglass sail panels today for the 69-70 Sport roof .I went into the welding shop with the idea of getting 16 gauge aluminum ,that is what i asked for any way .The kid behind the counter said they had some aluminum and went out back ...for about 1 hour . He comes in dragging 18 gauge galvanized sheet metal and says here you go. HAHA, i tell him that i said aluminum ,no you told me galvanized he says ...what ever ,i wasn't going to wait another hour for some real aluminum. Any who i went ahead and made the driver panel out of the galvanized ,sure wasn't as easy to work with as aluminum would have been . I traced an original sail panel on to my GALVANIZED sheet metal and cut it out About an hour later with help from my English wheel and i had it formed to the correct contour of the upper quarter . I cut the hole for the sail panel light and check it for fit ,nice and tight .this hole will already be in the new fiberglass panels and will not have to be cut out . All i need for this panel is the texture .I am going to try to glue the correct grain material to the metal panel and try to make the new mold ,if the gel coat doesn't react to the material .If it does i will have to use a spray texture .i found a texture that is a camera finish that looks pretty good ,but i would rather have the factory type finish if i can . i test fit all the fiberglass panels along with the metal panel and it fits very well ,especially since it is just setting in place with no screws .Pics are a bit dark because i fit the pieces in my CJ while it is on the rotisserie .This is the driver side ,i still have to make the pass side . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,112 Report post Posted February 25, 2016 It wouldn't let me post the last pic so here it is .every thing is just setting in place Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rsmach1 71 Report post Posted February 25, 2016 Nice as always Ridge, can't wait to see the finished product. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,112 Report post Posted February 25, 2016 For some reason the contour of the panel doesnt show up in the pics but it is there Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeStang 247 Report post Posted February 25, 2016 Put me down for the first set out of the molds please.... Haha im gonna have a collection of RidgeRunner 1st editions Hahahahah Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,112 Report post Posted February 25, 2016 Still hard to show the contour in a pic but this may be a little better Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69volunteer 84 Report post Posted February 25, 2016 I'll take a set too! I had someone install my headliner and sail panels. Seems like there is a special order with the headliner, sail panels, rear glass? I may be making this up. Any issues you foresee with install? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,112 Report post Posted February 25, 2016 The panel will slip up under the back window gasket and screw at the front as the original with the small cover at the wind wing .It should be easier than the factory one because it will be stiff and not try to fold on you . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,190 Report post Posted February 25, 2016 Steel is real baby! Galvanized, aluminum, same stuff. Looks nice Jim. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
latoracing 256 Report post Posted February 25, 2016 Did he at least give you some G-90 material? lol Should have asked for some 5052-H32, that would have really confused him. The part looks just right, like always. Enough with the sail panel, I want to see the english wheel lol, I want one really bad. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mach1 Driver 560 Report post Posted February 26, 2016 Enough with the sail panel, I want to see the english wheel lol, I want one really bad. +1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Midlife 814 Report post Posted February 26, 2016 +2. Although I am fairly good with a hammer, dolly, and bean bag to form just about any contour, an English Wheel would be a delight to have! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,112 Report post Posted February 26, 2016 Did he at least give you some G-90 material? lol Should have asked for some 5052-H32, that would have really confused him. The part looks just right, like always. Enough with the sail panel, I want to see the english wheel lol, I want one really bad. Believe it or not it is a Harbor Freight wheel and it works great Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,112 Report post Posted February 26, 2016 The second panel is done ,took about half the time the first one did ...i Knew what i was doing this time HAHA. I ran into a small snag though ,my upholstery shop doesn't have the correct material to cover them with and the mustang catalogs doesn't show the material either. I may have to buy a headliner to cut up for the material .I really want the correct grain on these panels . It turns out the right side and the left side of the car its self is slightly different ,one panel is about 1/4 inch shorter than the other side .It is hidden under the hockey sticks so it is not a problem . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shep69 149 Report post Posted February 26, 2016 Hi Ridge , the originals have a clip that hooks into the quarter inner. Will yours still use this . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,112 Report post Posted February 26, 2016 The card board ones need it to keep it tight ,i don't think the fiberglass ones will but if they do need it i will make a clip on the back Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,112 Report post Posted February 26, 2016 This is the Harbor Freight English wheel like the one i have .It really works great on 18 or 22 gauge sheet metal and aluminum is even easier .You can't beat it for the price and it has like 7 different crowns and you can easily make custom crowns for it .I have used it to remove dents from rear valances and other small sheet metal panels . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mustangstofear 608 Report post Posted February 26, 2016 Just a heads up, Since I also make the sail panels for our headliner, I found out there is a big difference between the original and the aftermarket lights. We just have a dimple where the light goes and let the customer cut out the size he needs. 1 7TCatvert reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
7TCatvert 24 Report post Posted February 26, 2016 I have an extra set of original sail panels... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeStang 247 Report post Posted February 26, 2016 I was about to mention that my aftermarket lights are a bit looser than my original ones were in my crappy sail panels LOL. Heck Ridge you could leave the hole out all together if you wanted and let folks do what they please with it. I would actually like to have a larger, Brighter set of lights back there myself as our cars never seem to have enough light inside, but Ill take em how ever you make em. 1 7TCatvert reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moodster 55 Report post Posted February 26, 2016 Nice work, I'm definitely interested in a set. david Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,112 Report post Posted February 26, 2016 I was thinking about the light last night ,when i wrap the vinyl over the metal piece and tuck the material inside the hole it will make it quite a bit smaller so it should be good .The hole will need to be opened slightly for the light to fit ,depending on the size of the new lights . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,112 Report post Posted February 27, 2016 Ok ,i ordered a couple of headliners today just incase i screw up one . Soon as they get here i will glue the material to the metal panels and i will be ready to make the molds . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wycked69 20 Report post Posted February 27, 2016 Looking forward to it Ridge ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SWPruett 83 Report post Posted February 27, 2016 Very happy to see you taking this on! But I vote for no light hole! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
