fiberglass body

I have a Fiberglass Body that is about 25 years old and still in good shape.What I would like to do is strengthen it up at the firewall. Any ideas

 

More fiberglass, maybe? I had a boat once and glassed my own floor. I went to a marine supply and bought big sheets of fiberglass and a gallon of epoxy. I laid down a layer and glassed it and let it dry, then put the next layer at a 45deg angle, and then again at 45deg. Made it very strong. I think you'd have to scuff up your floor with some coarse sand paper for the first layer.

 

My glass body from AJ's has 3/16 plate steel lamenated between the fiberglass. That makes for a very strong body. Even if you formed some sheet metal to fit your firewall then lamenated it that would make a huge difference.

 

plywood glassed in?

 

Believe it or not AJ's uses balsa wood in the side panels by the door openings. It's light and strong when sandwiched between the fiberglass. They use plate steel in the floor pan and firewall. When I took a tour of the factory I could not believe they used balsa wood. I think that may be common in boats.

 

James, I just noticed you are from Pittsburgh. AJ's is just north-east of you a little ways. I think the name of the town is Jersey Shores. Give them a call about stiffening up your body. Seem like a good bunch of guys.

 

Thanks for the great info.I found aj's on the web will give the a call

 

3/16 steel firewall? I would think that would be incredibly heavy. My 4wd hardware body has some lighter gauge metal laminated in the fiberglass. I am not good at estimating thickness, but it is about the same thickness as my computer case cover. My body also has the plywood reinforcements at the body mounts. I have some concerns about sealing the holes so they don't absorb moisture.

I don't see any reason you couldn't clean, sand and reinforce the firewall. I wouldn't put anything thicker than the original sheet metal in there unless you plan on using the firewall for part of a roll cage or something.

Another area that you may want to pay some attention to is the step up from the front floor to the back floor. I have heard of others having issues with cracks in that area. I have no first hand knowledge tho.

 

Do they have a web site? If so, please share.... I can't find it

 

http://aj.testing.chilitech.net/DisplayTiers.aspx?Tier2ID=24

 

The area in the firewall that has the plate steel is where the master cylinder mounts. It might not be that thick. The plate in the floor where the body mounts looked to be about 3/16. I didn't measure it, just guessed by how it drilled. Didn't mean to give false info.