Bullet proof glove box

[Thorwon]

I started with a pattern I made from what was left of the old glove box (there wasn’t much). I drew the pattern out on a piece of poster board, then bent it to the shape of the old glove box so I could test fit it. Once I was satisfied with the fit I flattened it back out and drew it out on a piece of aluminum flashing.


I then cut it out.



Now is one of the fun parts, bending it to fit. I don’t have a metal brake so I used some scrap plywood and 1x4 pieces to work the bends with.







After lots of bends I had a rectangle box.




Then I had to make the top corner bends so it would fit the rounded corners in the dash cut out.







Then I pop-riveted it together.




Then I test fitted in the jeep and marked the mount holes.




Now is the really fun stuff. I had some Kevlar samples from a guy sent me with an EBay purchase (I bought some fiberglass to repair my boat). So I decided to try it on the glove box. It does hold form ok but it does not wet out very good.






Once I got it coated I just let it sit and cure for a while. Before it was completely hard I trimmed it with a pair of scissors. Then it was time to put the speed-nuts in place so I had to trim a little more in the places they go.




Now keep in mind it takes 24 hours to reach full hardness, so while it’s still flexible is when I installed it.



When it got to full hardness it’s rock hard. It did develop a few wrinkles but it’s better than what I had.

 

[mylittlecj5]

WOW! that looks great! I normally just beat on the sheet steel with a hammer when I need to bend something!
Great choice of materials, I was thinking WTF? when you started with aluminum flashing...
I really need to learn to fiberglass better...

 

[Turaffe]

Babe,
Thanks for the wonderful job on MY bulletproof glovebox. It looks awesome. Now you need to take me out for breakfast and we can discuss other improvements you will be making on MY jeep. Hehehe
Tammy

 

[Thorwon]

Babe,
Thanks for the wonderful job on MY bulletproof glovebox. It looks awesome. Now you need to take me out for breakfast and we can discuss other improvements you will be making on MY jeep. Hehehe
Tammy

Well you guys now know I only own 1 cj the wife claims the other one (even if she don't drive).

 

[Turaffe]

Actually I do drive. I've been driving Thorwon crazy for the past 15 yrs!!! I guess I need to post some pics of MY jeep now since I took over ownership of the 66 CJ.

 

[dalefan88]

nice work . i need to do something like that for mine.

 

[BrockGrimes]

Reminds me of some work I've seen before, LOL.

 

[catman]

NICE work.....

 

[IOPort51]

I am always impressed with people who can think in three dimensions.
I think I would have passed on the fiberglass and just went with the sheet metal.

 

[LongHorn]

I am always impressed with people who can think in three dimensions.
I think I would have passed on the fiberglass and just went with the sheet metal.

X2 on that.

 

[LongHorn]

Actually I do drive. I've been driving Thorwon crazy for the past 15 yrs!!! I guess I need to post some pics of MY jeep now since I took over ownership of the 66 CJ.

So he has to drive that "Postal" in the background or what?
Your so cruel!

 

[Turaffe]

The "Postal" is our 14 yr olds first Jeep. We liked it because it only has one seat and no softness in the back of it, thus no girls in it. hehehe

 

[Thorwon]

I am always impressed with people who can think in three dimensions.
I think I would have passed on the fiberglass and just went with the sheet metal.

The thing about using the kevlar and carbon fiber is when I get through with it, it's strong enough to stand on. Fiberglass would be strong enough but I wanted to play with the kevlar and carbon fiber.
Also if you have ever owned an aluminum tool box you should know to line it or it turns everything in it black.

 

[LongHorn]

The "Postal" is our 14 yr olds first Jeep. We liked it because it only has one seat and no softness in the back of it, thus no girls in it. hehehe

In other words, theres no sticker saying.
"If this Jeeps a Rock'in Don't Bother Knock'in.

 

[Turaffe]

In other words, theres no sticker saying.
"If this Jeeps a Rock'in Don't Bother Knock'in.

Not yet anyway. hehehe

 

[LongHorn]

In high School my buddy T-bone. Had a "Postal". In auto shop, we installed a V8, full manual auto Transmission , & a 9"Ford diff w/"Detroit Locker".
13:10 Quarter miles. 1 quick Jeep.

 

[Thorwon]

In high School my buddy T-bone. Had a "Postal". In auto shop, we installed a V8, full manual auto Transmission , & a 9"Ford diff w/"Detroit Locker".
13:10 Quarter miles. 1 quick Jeep.

Did ya ever have it swap ends on ya? I'll bet it was fun to keep in a straight line.
And I'll bet it would out run most cars around.

 

[BrockGrimes]

In high School my buddy T-bone. Had a "Postal". In auto shop, we installed a V8, full manual auto Transmission , & a 9"Ford diff w/"Detroit Locker".
13:10 Quarter miles. 1 quick Jeep.

Back when my cousin and I was much younger and with less brains, we built a postal jeep up. Had a Dana 44 rear, ran a 327. We was out scrounging for a good motor in an uncles junk yard and came across something looking like a wrinkled beer can, turns out it was a corvette. Opened (beat, framed, and peeled the hood open) the hood only to be greated with a fuel injected 327. I'm not a corvette guy but I can tell you it was scary as hell to drive in that jeep. The uncle was kind enough to weld up the gears in the rear to help keep it running straight.

It was funny as hell to watch guys in 5.0 mustangs and camaro's eat dust from an old mail jeep. We had plans to clean and straighten it and paint it back to original, but with youth brings little cash.

Reading about that one brings fond memories.......

See Sand, Dirt and Mud for more.

 

[Thorwon]

Back when my cousin and I was much younger and with less brains, we built a postal jeep up. Had a Dana 44 rear, ran a 327. We was out scrounging for a good motor in an uncles junk yard and came across something looking like a wrinkled beer can, turns out it was a corvette. Opened (beat, framed, and peeled the hood open) the hood only to be greated with a fuel injected 327. I'm not a corvette guy but I can tell you it was scary as hell to drive in that jeep. The uncle was kind enough to weld up the gears in the rear to help keep it running straight.

It was funny as hell to watch guys in 5.0 mustangs and camaro's eat dust from an old mail jeep. We had plans to clean and straighten it and paint it back to original, but with youth brings little cash.

Reading about that one brings fond memories.......

I'll bet it was a blast! That would have been soooo COOL!!

 

[LongHorn]

Did ya ever have it swap ends on ya? I'll bet it was fun to keep in a straight line.
And I'll bet it would out run most cars around.

Yeah, back in the late 70's. Most of the rich kids had a pollution controlled
shadow of there former glory "Pontiac T/A's".
All they ever saw was tail lights! :driving:

As far as the swap ends thing goes. I've spent a lot of my life driving Jeeps: 1 MB, 2 CJ2a 's, 2 CJ5 's, 1-CJ7 , 1 Square Lighter, 1 CJ8 .
My 1st. CJ5 V8 had a 4" spring under on 33" SS TSL's.
Twice, I had that old narrow track Jeep 180 to the direction of travel on the highway a 75+.
That will definitely get your attention!!!!
But no harm no foul, just jerked it back straight & kept on truck'in.