Did anyone ever machine any 73-75 door caps?

[Cntymnty77]

Its probably been a year ago, but I posted an EBay sale on some original 73-75 door caps and someone on here ended up buying them and was going to send them to someone else on here to machine new ones out of aluminum. Does anyone remember this? I’m to the point of needing some and don’t want to buy the plastic ones that I’ve heard so much about.

 

[RivMan]

I was going to send the door reinforcement plates from eBay to @Deuling to copy, but he's been pretty busy since then.

There was some talk about @Mr.Clean making the billet door caps, but I haven't heard anything else one that.

-Rob

 

[Cntymnty77]

I was going to send the door reinforcement plates from eBay to @Deuling to copy, but he's been pretty busy since then.

There was some talk about @Mr.Clean making the billet door caps, but I haven't heard anything else one that.

-Rob

That would be it! Ok, if you hear anything, I’m interested.

 

[Desert_K5]

What do the door reinforcement plates look like? I might be up for giving them a shot?

 

[Cntymnty77]

What do the door reinforcement plates look like? I might be up for giving them a shot?

These were the best pics I could find.

 

[nvrenuf]

View attachment 265058

Just to say it out loud for anyone considering reproducing these -

* The top (red) pieces are metal, maybe just a fuzz thicker than the door shell metal and are tack welded in place.

* The middle (black) pieces are fiberglass-ish. If broken or cracked you can see "hair" like their made from the same stuff the removable top is. These are screwed to the internal brace pictured above.

* The bottom (black) pieces are rubber. These puzzle piece in to the top of the vent window arc on the door shell and have 2 screws to hold them in place.

I'm sure it wouldn't be a big deal to reproduce most of these pieces in metal but the rubber pieces might be tricky plus they form a seal against the top so anything hard wouldn't seal and may wear the mating surface on the top.

 

[Desert_K5]

I'm using a laser to cut delrin plastic that might work for the middle pieces if they could be layered then bonded together. I'm thinking someone with a cnc router would be a better choice for those and cutting them from one piece. Delrin comes in thick enough sheet but it's pricey.

The metal reinforcement plates look easy enough but would need a set in hand to be sure. It looks like it could be made from 2 pieces and welded together to mimic the stamped part. 16 ga cut and bent up with the kidney bean shape cut out of 1/8" and welded.

The rubber ones would probably need an injection mold and that's out of my skill / tooling set.

 

[nvrenuf]

I have a set of good (not great) condition fiberglass pieces I'd be willing to loan out for duplicating if this gets to that point.

 

[Desert_K5]

The section outlined in yellow, does that need to be angled or could it be left squared off? That is what would keep me from making these on the laser. I'd have no way to duplicate that angle (bevel). Maybe I need a mill lol

 

[nvrenuf]

More tools is better, right?? LOL

I can look at mine this evening to verify any angle present. If I remember the orientation right, that angle may only be cosmetic where the plate sits next to / against the door trim panel.

 

[rampage]

Just to say it out loud for anyone considering reproducing these -

* The top (red) pieces are metal, maybe just a fuzz thicker than the door shell metal and are tack welded in place.

* The middle (black) pieces are fiberglass-ish. If broken or cracked you can see "hair" like their made from the same stuff the removable top is. These are screwed to the internal brace pictured above.

* The bottom (black) pieces are rubber. These puzzle piece in to the top of the vent window arc on the door shell and have 2 screws to hold them in place.

I'm sure it wouldn't be a big deal to reproduce most of these pieces in metal but the rubber pieces might be tricky plus they form a seal against the top so anything hard wouldn't seal and may wear the mating surface on the top.

@Cntymnty77
Can't see the pics since I'm not a member, but it sounds like the upper door caps which are available from www.classicparts.com
https://www.classicparts.com/1973-75-Blazer-Door-Cap-Top-of-Vent-Left/productinfo/01-829/
https://www.classicparts.com/1973-75-Blazer-Door-Cap-Top-of-Vent-Right/productinfo/01-830/#

 

[Rugby_7]

The section outlined in yellow, does that need to be angled or could it be left squared off? That is what would keep me from making these on the laser. I'd have no way to duplicate that angle (bevel). Maybe I need a mill lol

View attachment 265113

The door curves underneath the yellow part.

 

[blazer74]

Door Does angle down. The bottom of the cap is flat where it sits on the door.
The angle in question just follows the door angle and prevents a sharp edge on the cap from catching your arm.

 

[Cmyron]

I would love a set replace my plastic ones. Following!

 

[RubberFloorMat]

I’ve got a set of the replacement caps, they’re nowhere near as good as the factory ones. They look ok when on but much larger dimensions and are molded plastic, time will tell if they last

 

[K85 Octane]

@rdn2blazer

 

[Cntymnty77]

I actually think reproducing the reinforcement brackets would be the big thing. But the billet caps would be cool too!

 

[Cntymnty77]

Did anyone make anything over the weekend?!

 

[Rugby_7]

I have one extra door cap and striker if someone wanted to use to draft new ones from.