Tdi 4Runner - Fiberglass fender install
#1
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Tdi 4Runner - Fiberglass fender install
Hey guys,
I will be sharing my experiences with the installation of fiberglass rear 1/4's from toyotafiberglass.com to replace my rusty dented rear skins. See below truck before the carnage began.
The method of removal I chose is cut a few inches away from the pinch welds around the whole panel, then work the small 2-3" sheet metal strip grinding or drilling the spot welds as I move around the panel. I used a zip-disk on a 4 1/2" angle grinder and a sawzall to cut into the panel, watch out for wires! Try to cut into the panel as little as possible. When moving onto the spot welds, drilling is much quicker but if I cant access the back of the panel Ill grind the spot weld out.
Here you can see the "inner" panel cut out with the ~2" strips remaining, now drill or grind the spot welds as you move around.
I am about two 10hr days into the installation and I have most of the panels removed. This stuff takes longer than you would think The top is off and the top strip of metal is the last to be removed.
Should have the panels fitted by the end of the week. Thinking of going with Toyota Cardinal Red or Radiant Red for the final color, still cant decide...always likes Mazda's True Red
I will be sharing my experiences with the installation of fiberglass rear 1/4's from toyotafiberglass.com to replace my rusty dented rear skins. See below truck before the carnage began.
The method of removal I chose is cut a few inches away from the pinch welds around the whole panel, then work the small 2-3" sheet metal strip grinding or drilling the spot welds as I move around the panel. I used a zip-disk on a 4 1/2" angle grinder and a sawzall to cut into the panel, watch out for wires! Try to cut into the panel as little as possible. When moving onto the spot welds, drilling is much quicker but if I cant access the back of the panel Ill grind the spot weld out.
Here you can see the "inner" panel cut out with the ~2" strips remaining, now drill or grind the spot welds as you move around.
I am about two 10hr days into the installation and I have most of the panels removed. This stuff takes longer than you would think The top is off and the top strip of metal is the last to be removed.
Should have the panels fitted by the end of the week. Thinking of going with Toyota Cardinal Red or Radiant Red for the final color, still cant decide...always likes Mazda's True Red
Last edited by BC_4runner; 08-06-2013 at 08:43 PM.
#2
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So I got the truck completely stripped two days ago and finally had the chance to test fit the panels on the truck today.
So I test fitted...for 6 hours.
I am not ready to write off toyotafiberglasses' stuff because as far as I know its top of the line. Im thinking I got a bad batch, I actually noticed one side being rough (thin in some area lots of minor imperfections) right out of the box. I didnt think anything of it.
Here is one of the major problems, roughly a 2" gap in the door sill. As you can see it fits near the bottom but it just gets worse the higher you go. It almost looks like the whole panel shrunk a few inches, my b-pillar just seems too large for the panel.
It will NOT suck up against the inside pinch weld seam, maybe I am doing something wrong? I have emailed Corey in hopes for the best, im hoping it can be resolved somehow..toyotafiberglass seems to have a great rep
Will update soon
So I test fitted...for 6 hours.
I am not ready to write off toyotafiberglasses' stuff because as far as I know its top of the line. Im thinking I got a bad batch, I actually noticed one side being rough (thin in some area lots of minor imperfections) right out of the box. I didnt think anything of it.
Here is one of the major problems, roughly a 2" gap in the door sill. As you can see it fits near the bottom but it just gets worse the higher you go. It almost looks like the whole panel shrunk a few inches, my b-pillar just seems too large for the panel.
It will NOT suck up against the inside pinch weld seam, maybe I am doing something wrong? I have emailed Corey in hopes for the best, im hoping it can be resolved somehow..toyotafiberglass seems to have a great rep
Will update soon
Last edited by BC_4runner; 08-09-2013 at 05:32 PM.
#3
Fender install
Installed a set a month ago on mine. There were a few like little humps on back of panels ground them smooth then slide on. They are a tight fit and after fully on you have to beat metal sill over to meet panel. It doent say so on website but when called they answered all questions ,might just have to leave message the stay busy.
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