Fiberglass/Carbon Fiber rear hatch

Talked with Tony at Precision today---great guy---he said the mold to do the skin and inner portion was about $1500---the mold just to do the outside skin was about a grand. If we do them in fiberglass then they should be in the $500 to $600 dollar range (the outer skin would about $350 or so---this would be bolted on and hood pinned, not functional, but a HUGE weight savings-over 50lbs).

The carbon fiber material just adds a few bucks per yard, but the vacuum bagging material is quite a bit more and he said for it to turn out nice/strong then we'd have to do it. This bumps the cost up a few hundred more per hatch which makes it ridiculously expensive/possibly not cost effective for the average project.

These things could end up costing close to a grand with shipping (anybody have any idea what it would cost to ship from Los Angeles to say the middle of the country??)---at that price would fiberglass be a better option---anyone still interested in carbon fiber at that price---anyone know another glass shop that can kick them out cheaper??? I still kind of need one/entertaining other possibilities/options...

Ok so on my fiberglass guy's recommedation (he's really that cool!) I contacted the R&D/product development department at : www.extremedimensions.com. They said that they had looked at the Escort Gt hatches before but hadn't ever done anything with them.

Ryan said if I dropped a hatch off and was willing to buy 3 that he'd send it over seas next week and in 3-4 months I'd have them. If I pay some airfreight I could get them in 7-8 weeks. I won't have to pay for the mold/development---just the 3 hatches and air freight. They'll end up selling them through their distributors (they have over a 1000) and I'll get preffered pricing on the hatch.

They'll retail for $699 (Their idea not mine) and I should be able to sell them for a little less. This beats the hell out of me having to pay $1500 bucks for the molds and then paying another $700 for one hatch for myself---hoping I can sell like 20 hatches to break even over the next 3-5 years!!! Not only that but they'll be perfect, I've seen their products before and been to their warehouse---you could land a small plane in it!!!

Unless someone else has another supplier/builder here in the states, I'll most likely go with them.

OK---small update---it's funny how things work out sometime...I ordered 3 carbon fiber escort hoods from a small company here in the Los Angeles area. I sent a guy out today to pick them up and he called to check in on the way back. He said he had a headache from all the fumes at the place and didn't know how anyone could work there. I asked him if they made the hoods there because everyone else buys from extreme dimensions (I assumed) here locally. He said they were building tons of hoods---lots of work stations. I immediately called and asked if they could do the hatch's and they said yes---it would take about 3 weeks and they were going to be about a $100 cheaper than extreme dimensions!!! I'll end up having to pay for the molds, but in the long run I think it'll be a better deal for everyone...Here's a couple of shots of the hoods---I'm going to sell them for $295 plus shipping with the invader style only about $35 more if anyone is interested...Also they weigh 14lbs!!! Three pounds lighter than any hood I've seen...

They fit OK---decent---could use some extra time to be perfect, but not bad for 2 guys installing them in about 8 minutes...I did have to use different bolts though---

Ok-got the hatch stripped and just sent it off to the carbon fabricators---paid them half up front and with any luck we should have hatches in about 3-4 weeks-I'll follow up with them in a couple of weeks and keep everyone updated---the stock hatch weighed 30lbs completely stripped.

You know the guys seem pretty easy to work with---I told him the threads were the wrong size in the hood---that I couldn't use the stock bolts and he instantly said to send him a bolt with the next order and he'd change it. I said his hoods were the lightest I've seen at 14lbs and he said he can make them heavier or lighter depending on the application at no extra charge. I'm guessing he can probably leave the hatches without any holes if I ask him to so I'd say yes---we could leave the reflector holes out.

A 3rd gen hood would be great---pm me and I'll give you his info and you can pay for the molds/first couple of hoods!!!

Not sure on the shipping yet although I'm going to check tomorrow for Dave---it seems like most of the companies charge between $150 and $200 to ship---quite frankly this is the part that scares me the most and I'm going to insure the hell out of each hatch/hood. I'm guessing if someone orders both and I can fit them in a big box it'll be cheaper. If your in Phoenix, I've got a couple pieces going out early next month so we can avoid shipping and just split the gas...

Finally two carbonfiber rear hatches! We picked them up today and got them back to the shop/inspected them. They are as good as the hoods if not better!! The area's that the glass covers up are not wrapped in carbon, and all the holes have been removed except for the mounting holes, the latch holes and the rear strut holes. They're not perfect---I can barely see the remnants of a small dent and small holes---but you have to look at the right angle. That being said they are exactly what I expected and perfect for the Money.

They weigh about 11lbs and some change and are able to accept the stock window or lexan for additional weight savings.

They're going to sell for less than $499 plus tax and $150 for shipping with insurance. They're will be a discount to everyone who posted in this thread that said they were interested or if you buy the hood/hatch combo---pm for details.





Photo's of them installed coming in a bit...

Everything installed easily and they fit pretty decent. The window pin holes need to be drilled out so the window will sit flush/glue in, but other than that we bolted the hardware on and it clicked right in!! I'm impressed with them and pretty stoked on the weight savings---I think they did a good job!