ABS Plastic Forming

[schefft]

So, I've been looking at that F-650 dash mod that everyone's all about, and I got to thinking that it's close to what I need but not perfect. Down on that panel is where my CB's bolted in and I need a place for that, so I was thinking about forming a custom console out of fiberglass. Then I looked around some more, and saw that forming ABS plastic seems to be pretty easy. It's the same material our dash parts are made out of and also the same thing that all those goofy guys make their D&D costumes out of. Anybody else tried this? If not I think I'm going to have a crack at it and I'll throw some pics up

[wriott]

i would love to see some pics, been looking for a 650 peice but have been unable to locate one.

[daveyburt]

subscribing
-i'd love to make a console for my cb that has some storage and holds my oversize coffee cup...ain't nothing out there that comes close.

[schefft]

I did some more searching around the internet. So far this is how it works.
1) make a mold. I'm going to start by throwing a styrofoam block up there and cutting/sanding it to shape. Then clay over the top to form the areas for gauges, the lip for the CB etc.
2) heat the plastic. Basically throw the plastic sheet into a frame and put it in the oven.
3) vacuum mold it. flat piece of metal with a hole for the shop vac tube, frame and then another flat sheet of metal with lots of holes in it. Put the mold on top of the holed surface. Plug the vacuum in and then put the melted plastic over the mold and suck it down.
4) Let it cool and clean it/paint it and install.

It seems pretty easy, but you know how that goes. So I ordered the plastic and I'll probably start on the mold today. Hopefully by the weekend I'll have something. I'll put up pictures if it works, or just come back and say I suck!

[schefft]

Originally Posted by wriott

i would love to see some pics, been looking for a 650 peice but have been unable to locate one.

If you don't want to wait for this then http://www.stealth-automotive.com
has the 650 dash piece for about $50

[schefft]

Well this project is on hold until the insurance companies decide wether to fix or total my truck. Some woman did 50mph through the apartment complex parking lot on a wet surface and used the side of the truck as her brakes. It stopped her about five feet after impact.

[Variable556]

Dang, that really sucks!!! Sorry to hear your rig got rammed. I hope you have good luck with your insurance company!

[schefft]

Alright so hopefully the truck will be out of the shop by the first week of August. So far the tally is $4k, just in body work, then they'll check the suspension, and so on and so forth. The insurance company told me to just go ahead and fix it so..... Hopefully, I'll be working on y new dash in a couple of weeks

[schefft]

Here's all what I'm planning to put in this console now: CB, gauges, controller/gauge for my airlift, Garmin 7" GPS. It's gonna be fun but I want everything to be flush mounted in there. (It'll probably all get stolen 30 mins later, but what the hell? That;s what insurance is for right?)

[schefft]

So I got a little ambitious and decided to use fiberglass and run it all the way from the dash to the back of the front seats. 1st lesson, FIBERGLASS SUCKS! What a pain to work with. but this is the rough shape starting to take effect. I've still got to mount it to the floor, mount all the gadgets, make the guage panel, and blend it all in to the dash, and then attach the lid, and then paint it. I'm using the lid off of an 08 center console, but I'm thinking about making it slide backwards instead of opening upwards so that it doesn't clip the armrests. Tell me your thoughts and ideas please.





and please excuse the mess