Vacuum forming 97challenger 1800 "windshields"

[steve on the water]

Having had no luck finding the obsolete parts, I have decided to make them myself. I will vacuum form them in the spring. This is not a difficult task except that my boat is in storage and not accessible. Over the winter I will build a vacuum former large enough to handle the windshield. Once I pick the boat up in the spring I will make make molds from the existing broken parts. The corners are broken off both of them.

So here is where I could use a helping hand. Can anyone give me the overall width, length and thickness of the 97 challenger 1800 windshields? I will build the vacuum former over the winter and experiment. I just want to size the vacuum table correctly.

Thanks

 

[Dannyjd]

Width

 

[Dannyjd]

Length

 

[Dannyjd]

Overall height is around 80mm

 

[Dannyjd]

Thickness varies from 1.5mm to 5mm

 

[steve on the water]

Thank you for the measurements. I would have guessed they were much longer. I think this is going to be a fun and rewarding project. I will post my progress as I move forward.

 

[Dannyjd]

I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
Are they too far gone to make a mold and make some fibreglass ones?

 

[Dannyjd]

Or is that your intention?

 

[steve on the water]

I could make them out of fiberglass, but I want to thermoform ABS or some other plastic. I will need to use the old windshields to make a male mold for my planned aproach too. I am probably going down this route as much because I want to have the capability to vacuum form plastics in the future. I have worked with glass a lot in the past and have no strong reason not to go that route, other than the alternative provides for a bit of experimentation and fun.

 

[alexd51]

Ok this is going to be good....subscribed.... now start posting pics lol
Hey i also have a challenger in the garage any info or more measurements let me know.