We need a place in the midwest/east for fiberglass


Jim Oaks

Jim Oaks

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2005 Jaguar XJ8
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2021
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Ford Ranger
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We need a place out in the midwest or eastern states to buy fiberglass. I'm tired of the limited companies out west offering it.

I checked to get shipping quotes. I got a quote from McNeil for bedsides and front fenders shipped. I emailed them back and asked if they could give me a deal/discount on an additional set of front fenders for the wifes Ranger for a total of (3) sets of fiberglass, and they never emailed me back.

Why can't we get someone in the midwest to make this stuff????
 
not a lot of prerunning being done in ohio.
 
Yep, no pre-running in Nebraska... ain't that much off roading in general. :-/
 
i have 2 uncles that own fiberglass companies id SD....its just the fact no one preruns around here
 
I don't prerun, but I have fiberglass front fenders. I like them for (2) reasons:

1) They offer a larger wheel opening
2) They're lighter and save weight

I don't like the real wide ones with the big bulges, but I like the bigger wheel openings.

I'm sure guys would buy them if they were more readily available out here.

We need a place in the midwest/east for fiberglass

We need a place in the midwest/east for fiberglass
 
i would love to have some... if they didnt cost so much! and were availible like you said!
 
I really don't understand why people think fiberglass is only for 'prerunners'.
 
Nobody runs fiberglass here. Couple people I know have fiberglass Jeep tubs but that is about all. I would never run it on our trails... I would literally destroy the body the first time out. Don't think it saves much weight either. My stock fenders that I cut weigh almost nothing plus I can pick up ten more panels from the junkyard for what I'd pay for one fiberglass one.

Cost is too high and there are literally no benefits to fiberglass over steel IMO.
 
Fiberglass is still "new technology," I guess. Same reason why everyone thinks carbon fiber is only used for space innovation, high end performance racers, or Japanese imports. If you're really inclined to save weight & burn your wallet, carbon fiber!

But in a sport/hobby where conventional 80's steel was used for truck fenders, where the main participants are conservative by nature, and where body damage & tree contact is expected, fiberglass is not necessary.

Besides, pro rockcrawlers have full tube chassis, and no room for glass. Dune jumping and Baja, a very costly field, can afford the glass and vehicle rubbing and road rash are as prevalent for breakable fenders. Also in California, the cost of living is doubled compared to Texas.


However Jim, I will agree with you, in that a company should make it further east. But, considering the competition and the wide array of vehicles that are covered, it's a hard market to get immersed in.

On another note, I'd love a 3" buldge (...on my Ranger, perverts). New white fenders on my green machine just isn't viable at this point when I'm trying to save my money.



*shrugs* :beer:




Pete
 
Last edited:
Hopman said:
You guys go off-road all the time, but using more Ford tractors than Ford Rangers.
Click to expand...

Hey, my Ford Ranger can do anything my Ford Tractor can do and then some. Except mow the lawn.
 
Hopman said:
You guys go off-road all the time, but using more Ford tractors than Ford Rangers.
Click to expand...

Nah, no Ford tractors 'round here :thefinger:

Why do people associate fiberglass fenders with prerunners you ask? Because most of the time that's what people see them on...
 
Shran said:
Cost is too high and there are literally no benefits to fiberglass over steel IMO.
Click to expand...

there are a few things that a fiberglass fender can do that a steel one cant, it will bend some without breaking AND go back to original shape, they offer a much larger wheel opening that allows the tire to tuck underneath and they do save weight.

on a side note im starting to see a lot more crawlers running them now. i would run them on my trucks in a heartbeat if i needed them. no shipping either, mcneil is about a 2 minute drive from my house :D
 
94xlt4.0 said:
there are a few things that a fiberglass fender can do that a steel one cant, it will bend some without breaking AND go back to original shape, they offer a much larger wheel opening that allows the tire to tuck underneath and they do save weight.
Click to expand...

There are certain instances where fiberglass is perfect, just not for MY uses. I can't imagine using fiberglass for any of the rock crawling we do. The Jeep tubs I mentioned previously have steel plate everywhere, body would get crushed in very quickly if they didn't. Almost all of the buggies around here run either plastic, steel or aluminum side panels.

Anyway, what I am trying to say is, if I was in a sport that didn't have a high probability of body damage from rocks, trees, etc, I would probably consider using more fiberglass.
 
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