2000 Ford Ranger build log

[TPABlazer 10+ year member]

Alright, long time since I've done any stereo work, and I figured this will take a few weekends (at least!), and since I

Clarion dxz835mp

crystal csc643s 3 way components

2 ed 7kv2's

Jl 300/4

jl 500/1

Kicker 0/1 kit.

A ton of deadener (whenever I order it)

So I've got most of the equipment, just waiting to order the deadener to install everything. However, in the meantime I can do SOME of the work.

This can also be a decent how to on molding plastic panels, since I cant stand cutting into factory stuff without a replacement.

Okay, lets start with some blurry pics of my gear and my sloppy work area, oh and my toe.

Click to read more...

 

[TPABlazer 10+ year member]

Okay, now that we got that out of the way, lets talk about fiberglassing.

Get a cup like this, plastic, with ounces listed for measurement. They have them at home depot, harbor freight, etc.

One of my favorite things ever, you squeeze the bottom and MEKP fills the container at the top. Measured in CCs. My MEKP is red, I got it form Select Products a while back, along with the mekp dispenser.

This bit of chicken scratch is my reminder. I use a ratio of ~4% hardener to resin. I personally like to use smaller, hotter batches, especially when I'm doing small scale work. Using 2% gives ~20 minutes of work time, 4% is closer to 10.

When I'm doing big jobs I use closer to 2% since I dont want to have the cup of resin solidify on me. It's just personal preference, if you are not that good with 'glass, go for a longer work time. If you are doing a lot of layers, do a longer work time and then you can layer a lot with one batch of resin. However, for this project, I dont need more than 2 layers of matte, and I didnt want to sit around waiting for this stuff to dry all day.

*WARNING* Making a batch too hot (too much MEKP will cause you all sorts of trouble. The plastic bowls can melt, the resin can crack, and the project can be ruined rather quickly.

Other material not pictured: Paint brushes, gloves (LOTS) resin, matte )chop and weave. harbor freight is awesome for gloves and brushes.

Okay, lets get glassing! Not too many action shots, since I was kinda busy.

Proper safety equipment! I found the chem lab goggles dont fog up as much as other glasses.

Wet 'glass.

Dried.

'Glass does not stick to plastic, so it will pop right off.

Some minor trimming, looks pretty good!

No plastic was harmed in the making of this thread.

 

[TPABlazer 10+ year member]

Okay, a little tip. When you use up a batch, there will always be some left. Take your brush and put it back in the plastic cup.

Because, when you pull it out, it will pull out all the resin and crap in the cup. It also gives you cool little bits of artwork.

Clean cup! Saves you the trouble of pulling out dried resin, or having it break off the sides and end up in the wet stuff, then on your project.

Doh! This cup was showing it's age. A little too hot a batch weakened this spot, and when I tried to pull the brush/resin out, it broke the plastic. Reason number 234234 why you buy extra cups.

 

[TPABlazer 10+ year member]

Stock Kick panels

My glass replicas. Pretty close right!

Sloppy work area! I didnt want to ruin a piece of wood, so an old rubbermaid lid works. 'Glass doesn't stick to it either.

 

[TPABlazer 10+ year member]

Okay, onto the rest of the project. Lets make some baffles.

Yeah, gorilla glue and titebond are cool, but this stuff is my favorite.

CA ( cyanoacrylate) Glue, superglue, whatever. Pick it up at your local hobby shop.

Get this stuff too. CA accelerant. Turns 5 second glue to 2 second glue. Really helps when gluing supports or just holding a panel in place. I've built boxes with this stuff, and it holds great. Eliminates all the drying time.

Okay, some jigsawed baffles.

Where the mid and tweeter are going

My router table

Rounded the edges. This does two things: aesthetic improvement when glassed, and it gives the 'glass more surface area to stick to.

ARRgh, wouldnt be my project without something like this happening. Double check the bit height before you start.

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[TPABlazer 10+ year member]

Fleece, glued around the panel, in the baffle, etc etc

Lawnmower doubles as a drying rack

Reinforcing

I like to lay the weave matte last, since it gives a much smoother finish. Requires far less sanding at the end.

 

[TPABlazer 10+ year member]

Missing a few pictures, slap on some body filler, sand, repeat.

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This was about a day and a half. I have a bunch more body filler to throw on, lots of sanding, then painting!

 

[bryce-man 10+ year member]

subscribed for another ranger owner

anddd im doing basicly the same without the kicks this winter break

 

[eric12421 10+ year member]

so youre pretty **** good with that fiberglass...im impressed!

 

[skadude016 5,000+ posts]

looking forward to see the end product //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[RumbleNTheTrunk 10+ year member]

good thread...you gave good advice...along the way....this forum enjoys that. Way to go..looking nice.

 

[TPABlazer 10+ year member]

looking forward to see the end product //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

So am I! I'm anxious to get these things done and move on. Thanks for all the compliments, if there are any questions, just ask!

 

[Rage00 10+ year member]

subscribed.............................................

 

[audiobahnuser18 5,000+ posts]

Very nice work man look forward to seeing the end product. x2 also gave good advice along the way. keep it up man.

 

[the727kid 10+ year member]

Shoulda put all these pics on TR... looks good tho