Fitting carbon half doors and wind deflectors

[Stuart Davis (fatblokestu) AO - Devon & Somerset]

This has been on my list of things to do for ages, but had to take second place to sorting my exhaust out which I managed to finish this morning.

 

I wanted the doors to be hinged so that I can get in and out with the half hood on, so ages ago I ordered some stainless steel fittings from a Marine Chandlery shop. They took months to arrive, but when they did I could see that they would do the trick. I also picked up a Rivnut gun and suitable Rivnuts to take the hinge fittings. I want to be able to remove the doors and fittings easily so that when the weather is set fair for a while I can go back to fully open.

 

Anyway, to cut a long story short it basically all works. I made a mess of the first two rivnuts as I didn’t know what I was doing but with a bit of tidying up they will be fine, they are fixed firmly so all is good.

 

The main downside to the fittings I’ve used is that they stand the door away from the bodywork a bit, leaving a gap for the wind to come in. To close that, I’ve fitted some trim from Woollies which works really well. All that is left for these is a little strap and popper to hold them closed. They seal up perfectly when pulled in so should be just what I wanted.

 

Last job was to fit the old Caterham wind deflectors I had on it before. The hinge fitting holes had been sealed up, so I had to re drill those but they have gone on very well and sit nicely against the front edge of the doors. They have the added benefit of stopping the doors swinging right the way open so it all works well 👍👍

 

Apologies for so many pictures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Matt_S]

@fatblokestu Neat job! Bet it makes a big difference! 

[Stuart Davis (fatblokestu) AO - Devon & Somerset]

1 hour ago, Matt_S said:

@fatblokestu Neat job! Bet it makes a big difference! 

Thanks Matt. Yet to be road tested, need to add the closing straps so I don’t have doors flying open round the corners 🤪🤣

[Rob Hunter - Club Secretary]

On 16/07/2023 at 19:31, fatblokestu said:

Thanks Matt. Yet to be road tested, need to add the closing straps so I don’t have doors flying open round the corners 🤪🤣

 

You can always pretend it's for active aero braking like on Travis Pastrana's Subaru 😂

 

[Stuart Davis (fatblokestu) AO - Devon & Somerset]

On 18/07/2023 at 10:39, Rob Hunter Derby & Notts AO said:

 

You can always pretend it's for active aero braking like on Travis Pastrana's Subaru 😂

 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/627063292725470?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V

 

😱😱

[marka]

Nice job! 👍

[Stuart Davis (fatblokestu) AO - Devon & Somerset]

On 16/07/2023 at 18:13, Matt_S said:

@fatblokestu Neat job! Bet it makes a big difference! 

Went for a quick drive today now that I’ve sorted the closing straps out and yes, it does make a big difference 👍. I had the roof on too and it felt quite calm even at motorway speeds. Elbow room is a bit more restricted, even with the pockets (if that’s the right word) in the doors. Quite manageable though, so I’m pretty pleased with how it has turned out.

[ajpearson]

Where did the doors come from? 

[Stuart Davis (fatblokestu) AO - Devon & Somerset]

46 minutes ago, ajpearson said:

Where did the doors come from? 

Carbon nv, these are the ones.

 

[ianali]

On 16/07/2023 at 19:31, Stuart Davis (fatblokestu) AO- Devon & Somerset said:

Thanks Matt. Yet to be road tested, need to add the closing straps so I don’t have doors flying open round the corners 🤪🤣

Would you be able to supply a link to the hinges used please? Looks good! 
Cheers, Ian

[Stuart Davis (fatblokestu) AO - Devon & Somerset]

On 11/08/2023 at 12:41, ianali said:

Would you be able to supply a link to the hinges used please? Looks good! 
Cheers, Ian

These are the ones I used. They work well for what I wanted. Paired with M6 rivnuts they are quite secure. There is some slack where they connect to the doors which could be eliminated by packing out between the clamp and the door but I’ve left mine as is; once they are buttoned in place they are very secure. The Woolies trim really helps too and makes a complete seal so no air comes in. At motorway speed with the doors and Caterham side screens the buffeting is much reduced; my baseball cap did not need to be reversed, teenager style, in order to stay on!

 

https://marinestore.co.uk/blue-wave-rigging-metric-stainless-spare-threaded-toggle-right-hand.html

 

[marka]

45 minutes ago, Stuart Davis (fatblokestu) AO- Devon & Somerset said:

my baseball cap did not need to be reversed, teenager style, in order to stay on!

😄never thought of doing that...I take it off or hang on to it! 🤣👍

[Stuart Davis (fatblokestu) AO - Devon & Somerset]

21 hours ago, marka said:

😄never thought of doing that...I take it off or hang on to it! 🤣👍

I normally turn it back the right way going through towns and villages to avoid looking like a complete kn*b 🤣, but it does reduce lift! I did lose one cresting a bridge over a motorway once, it flew quite a long way! Must remember though when I take the doors off….