Widening steels guards

RAW069 Casual Dubber

32 posts · joined Feb 2013 · 19 Sep 2016, 10:47 pm

#1030100

Hi all

I'm looking to widen my rear guards to match fit the 9 inch Porsche Twists that I recently bought.

I want to do this with the existing steel guards, and was thinking of using a second set of guards to gain the same profile and also have only the one weld, rather than welding in a strip.

This would be achieved ( in theory ) by cutting the doner guard leaving a strip on the inside of the guard closest to the body, the width of the amount I want to widen the guard, approx 50mm. This would bolt up using the standard bolt holes, and then cut the remaining guard to weld to this extension, therefore widening the guard from the inside.

I can't seem to find anyone that has done this, or any info on it.

Has anyone had any experience with this that could provide some advice?

Cheers

Cam

1969 Beetle: Lowered, Narrowed, 2165
Fibreglass Buggy: Lifted, Shortened, 1640

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 19 Sep 2016, 11:14 pm

#1030101

Most peeps I've seen do it band the existing wings for 2 reasons. 1) cost of multiple pairs of wings 2) wasting a set of good wings.

But then the other thing to contend with is the compund curvature of the wings, especially the rears.

Those that I've seen widen the wings well have used an english wheel to put a curve into the strip so the widening looks factory. By doing the method you describe would require the join to the panel beaten to make the join look smooth and factory as again with the rears the curve is so tight on the top of the wing that there's not really a shallow curved area to place the cut within.

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

landfall Officially Full-On Dubber

290 posts · joined Jun 2014 · 20 Sep 2016, 6:35 pm

#1030132

I thought of doing the same, but with the strip.

Local panel beater quoted me $1,000 a guard, roughly the same cost as the fibreglass ones.

RAW069 Casual Dubber

32 posts · joined Feb 2013 · 20 Sep 2016, 7:46 pm

#1030135

psimitar wrote:Most peeps I've seen do it band the existing wings for 2 reasons. 1) cost of multiple pairs of wings 2) wasting a set of good wings.

But then the other thing to contend with is the compund curvature of the wings, especially the rears.

Those that I've seen widen the wings well have used an english wheel to put a curve into the strip so the widening looks factory. By doing the method you describe would require the join to the panel beaten to make the join look smooth and factory as again with the rears the curve is so tight on the top of the wing that there's not really a shallow curved area to place the cut within.

Thanks mate, you make some valid points, def worth consideration. Cheers

1969 Beetle: Lowered, Narrowed, 2165
Fibreglass Buggy: Lifted, Shortened, 1640

RAW069 Casual Dubber

32 posts · joined Feb 2013 · 20 Sep 2016, 7:51 pm

#1030136

landfall wrote:I thought of doing the same, but with the strip.

Local panel beater quoted me $1,000 a guard, roughly the same cost as the fibreglass ones.

Wow $1000 per side??? Even that for fibreglass seems excessive?

What are others experience regarding cost?

Also worth asking where to source fibreglass rear guards in Aus.? I've been in contact with Paul Trani of eziglass who has moultds, but I'm having trouble finding out if these guards a widened and by how much. He is quoting $200 per corner which seems decent, if they are widened!

1969 Beetle: Lowered, Narrowed, 2165
Fibreglass Buggy: Lifted, Shortened, 1640

fish26 Fahrvergnugen

903 posts · joined Jul 2007 · 20 Sep 2016, 9:45 pm

#1030144

I have a full set front and rear +40mm smoothie glass guards for sale

bitten by the bug..........several times

RAW069 Casual Dubber

32 posts · joined Feb 2013 · 20 Sep 2016, 9:59 pm

#1030145

fish26 wrote:I have a full set front and rear +40mm smoothie glass guards for sale

Thanks mate, I'll have to finalise my measurements and check back with you.

1969 Beetle: Lowered, Narrowed, 2165
Fibreglass Buggy: Lifted, Shortened, 1640

helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 20 Sep 2016, 10:45 pm

#1030146

I widen Austin Healey guards for a living, and I can assure you there is more to it than welding in a strip. Generally to do 4 corners and metal finish them is about 80 hours work at $100 per hour, so that makes it $8000, or $2000 per guard. It does take time, and the angles don't just fall into place when cutting and shutting the panels. I make new wider flanged edges with a new angle and weld them to the existing guard that has the existing flange cut off.

EJ22 into Bay Microbus - Finished project build thread- click on this spot here for info

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 21 Sep 2016, 12:54 am

#1030151

Could also check out these guys in the UK https://www.facebook.com/Day-Mouldings-111149302304266/

They've been doing for years with excellent feedback on quality and fit. If you check out Transglobal express for freight you could be very surprised at the costs, in a good way 🙂

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍