[07lilredwagon]

Audi reference understood!....I thought there was maybe more there....like some kind of SCCA rivalry...

I have found a way, in theory, anyway, to make my tonneau cover...I will be channeling a pickup truck tonneau.....they come with pistons, braces and are the exact design, that Im looking for. good solid cover, weather tight (or resistant.....), hinged and lockable.

C-list has come up with several "pre-owned" "in great shape"(except for the huge gash near the lock), and "very clean" units for under 100.00!...I bet I cant buy the fiberglass for that! I need the structural design built for me.....I dont mind modifying the top, but building from scratch scares me!

I think if I add the proper structure to the sections and glass it all in from underneath, Ill be fine. I also want to see if I can add a roof rack to the tonneau for the bikes!

I may make a receiver hitch for the trailer so I can use the bike rack I have now.....


Spoke with the donor cars owner today...we are scheduled to meet sometime in the next 2 weeks!...Im pretty stoked.


JP

[07lilredwagon]

Did a little color sketch: Ill work some dimensions in there this weekend.



JP

[07lilredwagon]

Trailer tongue will be either 2x2 3/16 wall x 60", a little less than 1/2 under the trailer or 2x3 3/16 x 60"...a little less than half under the trailer....

1-7/8" ball should be fine.

DOT regs are being researched this weekend.


JP

[07lilredwagon]

So I found out a bit more about trailer regs whether you are building your own or buying somebody elses......

State and federal regulations regarding trailer lights, which is overseen by the Department of Transportation (DOT), address the placement, function, and visibility of trailer lights for passenger car and light truck towing.

Safety Chains

Safety chains must be crossed and attached to the tow-bar or trailer hitch assembly. They must cross as near as possible to the tow-bar or trailer hitch.
Tail Lamps

There must be at least two tail lamps on the rear of the trailer, mounted at a height of between 15 and 72 inches on the same level, widely spaced. These two lamps must consist of at least one red light visible up to 1,000 feet and a white license plate light visible up to 50 feet.
Stop Lamps

There must be two red lights of a red, amber, or shade in between mounted on the rear of the trailer, visible up to 300 feet in sunlight. These can be part of another lamp assembly.
Signal Lamps

Signal lamps of a red, amber, or shade in between must be mounted on the rear of the trailer, spaced as widely as possible, and visible in direct sunlight from a distance of 500 feet on a trailer 80 inches wide, or 300 feet on a trailer less than 80 inches wide.
Minimum Lighting

Any trailer not required to have lighting, such as those for agricultural uses, must have a minimum of one red light in the rear, visible up to 1,000 feet, and two red reflectors visible at all distances from 100 to 600 feet.

got this info at answerbag.com...

It looks like I will need to add some marker lights up front and will probably use the donor car's side marker lights....other than that, I think I will retain a 3rd brake light just for added safety. The trailer will be lockable, and I had a thought regarding a secret parking brake for security purposes. I could retrofit a parking brake handle and cable inside the trailer.....that way, even if they steal the wheels, the trailer will still not move....unless they put it on a flatbed.....

Arranged for a trailer this morning and will be picking up the donor car in 2 weeks!

JP

[Speedwagon]

[Amini77]

Stoked for the end result..

[ruslik]

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86667

i know this guys and which shop he works at. he had his car in a magazine with a trailer

[07lilredwagon]

Originally Posted by ruslik

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86667

i know this guys and which shop he works at. he had his car in a magazine with a trailer

Ive been trying to get the moderators over there to help me post on that site..for some reason its not working.....I have not heard back from them after repeated requests....anyway...I wanted to ask him about his trailer....

If you know him....maybe you could ask him to post over here...I would love to find out how he attached the trailer tongue materials...and also, if it was difficult to pass a DOT inspection and what I should be expecting.

From the specs I posted above...I think I will have everything covered.

thanks!

JP

[07lilredwagon]

PS...Im in a bit of a holding pattern for now because the donor cars owner is on vacation next week...no project till Feb!

chomping at the bit!



JP

[ruslik]

pmed u the info

[E91Touring299ps]

Reminds me of this:

http://planet-torque.com/garage/trailer.html

[07lilredwagon]

I found a nice "tonneau cover" for the trailer...I think if I modify this properly, it will work well and fit in the opening....(That opening can be adjusted to suit...or I can make the tonneau cover wider.....though it wont need much)

Im picturing using only the center section where it bulges up (so it does not look simply like a hood that was tossed into place) .... and adding some fiberglass to create a nice smooth edge along the bottom along with a channel for the rubber gasket. The fiberglass work will follow the shape of the top of the trailer.

the hood will face forward...so the roundel is at the back....it will also be hinged at the front....(remember the old 2002s?) Im doing this as a safety feature as well...hinging at the back may create issues....I would hate to have that thing fly open!

whatdya think?...see where the roundel will fit?



picking up the carcass in 2 weeks!

JP

[07lilredwagon]

Originally Posted by ruslik

pmed u the info

thanks!

JP

[07lilredwagon]

small update...

I have canned the hood idea and will be going with a fiberglass tonneau cover from a 6' truck bed.....it will be cut to fit.

I am also going to use these hood hinges from a 78 mustang...(I like the fact that it recesses into the bulkhead...which I will have to build and weld into the trailer opening....



The pistons I choose will determine how high the cover lifts...so I have to do a little research there.


Im picking up the bones this upcoming weekend!...

JP

[07lilredwagon]

GOT IT!....the donor car is finally here!....Now the fun can begin...

I ended up getting the whole shell..front suspension and all..4 tires and wheels...

The car is fairly solid with some minor rust under the tailgate...The rear diff is still in place...which may come out if that does not mess with the integrity of the structure....(advice there is appreciated)....




Sorry for the bad picture...Ill take some clear ones this week and post em up....

First thing will be to back it into the garage...a challenge because I have to kick the wife's car out....I could be sleeping in it if Im not careful!

the Ill start taking measurements and stripping the rest of the car out...


Ill be trying to recoup some costs so if you guys know of other bimmerphiles that need some 1992 E36 325i parts let me know...(in a pm or email, please)

JP

[07lilredwagon]

Okay, so I have been making progress on the project....
the yellow tape is where Im planning on making my cuts.



I have been getting all the parts out of the car that I think will be useful to somebody including door windows, window motors, rubber trim, and anything else that is removable.



There will be a big pile of parts!

The wheels that are on it now will look cool until I can find a couple that will match the wagon....



and the hinges came in....



So now its down to seeing how fast I can get this thing stripped out...and mapped out. I want to be as ready as possible before cutting the front end off.....

thanks for looking...

JP

[07lilredwagon]

Getting ready to make my first cuts!...

any advice before taking the saw to it?

JP

[07lilredwagon]

First cuts!....

wow it looks really different now!.....All in all it went well....The Sawzall is your friend for this one...I cut above the lines to leave myself extra material in case I need it.....Now all thats left is the floor....maybe tonight....





Im keeping the larger part of the roof panel for sheetmetal and may end up using other off cuts for structure....


Im going to start a running tally on costs and try to sell the parts I have saved off the car to help fund this wacky project......

So far I have had the following costs:


Donor Car: 200.00
Trailer plug: 25.00
Diesel Fuel: 50.00
Hinges: 25.00
Sawsall blades: 15.00

Total so far: 315.00

I will have the following future costs:

trailer tongue material: 100.00
Tires: 100.00
Tail lights: 50.00
stabilizer jacks: 30.00
Trailer tongue wheel: 40.00

Future costs for the above: 300.00

Additional costs include sheet metal, primer, paint, bondo, and a host of other items like DOT inspection, registration, plates, ect......

It certainly adds up....Hope I can sell some of those extra parts!

I will definitely be able to recoup about 100.00 at the scrap yard......


thanks for looking!

JP

[ruski97]

cool project

[DUI Elite]

This could honestly be on an episode of "mighty car mods"

Budget trailer build.

[07lilredwagon]

GOOD NEWS!

I found an extra $6.37 under the dash, seats and carpeting. Ill be taking that right off the total!

...whoo hoo!





JP

[07lilredwagon]

Okay...some real progress made last night....NOW its beginning to look like something.



Ill have to back the wagon up to it to get an idea for the final tongue length...that and to make sure body lines look good...this may also help me figure out what the heck to do with the front panel....

couple of more interesting shots;





comments welcome...any ideas for the front panel...Im kinda stumped on that one! I was thinking of adding a kidney grill in there somehow...but it might look tacky....


JP