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'glass tub broke at door latch

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by lynn, Dec 1, 2005.

  1. Dec 1, 2005
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    The "used" tub I installed back in '95 had lots of pre-existing holes. Like where the Bestop door latch mounted, for example :rofl: It had holes adjacent to where I needed to mount the latch.
    I knew it was a weak area when I mounted the latch, but it held up OK, for 10 years ... until Sunday. Driving the CJ on my way to the woods to mount my camo umbrella over my ladder stand (it worked well, kept the rain off the seat ;) ) the drivers door flew open :shock:
    The latch, and the fiberglass it was mounted to, departed from the tub.:mad:
    I used a bungee to hold the door shut the rest of the way out and back.

    Last night I fabbed up a reinforcement. I knew just adding resin and mat wouldn't be substantial enough,

    I took a piece of 3/4 x 3/4 x 1/8 angle, maybe 7" long. I cut 1" out of one side of the angle, so I could bend the top of the piece to follow the downward curve of the tub. I marked where the latch holes needed to be, and the 2 holes for mounting, and drilled them. Then I ground a bit inside the angle on the "web" to make it more square, to get the piece to sit more flush along the edge of the tub.
    Finally, I cut a piece of 1/8" aluminum to about 3/4" wide, clamped it to the tub under the lip. Then used the drilled steel angle as a template to drill the tub and the aluminum.
    Painted the angle, allowed it to dry (not enough :rofl: ;) ) and bolted it all back together. It's solid now, I can slam the door and it latches. :D

    A few pics:
    Pic 1 shows the broken area. I used a paint stir stick as backing, for contrast for the pic. Pic 2 and 3 show it back together.
     
  2. Dec 1, 2005
    Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    Southshore Ma
    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2004
    Messages:
    1,463
    Always striving for better……job well done.
     
  3. Dec 1, 2005
    Mudweiserjeep

    Mudweiserjeep JEEP: Bouncy and Fun

    tipp city, ohio
    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2004
    Messages:
    718
    Good job Lynn!
     
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