Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I was reading my latest issue of 4wd monthly recently (the 2nd copy I purchased the 1st I left at the train station and never even cracked open ) and was intrigued by the write up on Kym Bolton's blue GU ute. What interested me was the kevlar panels he's using, doors, three quarters and bonnet.

I've never heard of these before, anyone had experience with them. I bet they cost a packet (probably need to trade in diamonds to buy em ) How well do you reckon they'd retain shape in a rollover? I could kick my door in like the photo in the mag but it might not bounce back so readily Kevlar panels are an interesting idea

i just read the article today, and he said that it cost less to get the kevlar panels made up than buying genuine replacement panels. i too thought it would be dear as poison to get custom kevlar panels laid up, but i wonder how much it really is???

are the doors totally kevlar or is it just the outer skin? he looked like it was pressed in a long way in that photo, i wonder if there is any supports behind it?

do u know how much nissan charge for replacement parts
id say the kevlar would be preety xxxxxx
it would b good tho
u could bush bash al day into rocks and shit and ud have no dented panel

The guy in that article has way too much money.
Chomoly everything, kevlar, enough HID lights to light a small suburb,etc,etc.
Nice truck though .

Glenn binskin made them I think. He has rock doors on his shorty tray made out of kevlar also.

binskins 4wd centre in wauchope, nsw

manufactures kevlar panels (doors/3/4 panels and bonnet) to suit gq and gu nissan.

cheaper than og nissan panels and a heap lighter

No Kevlar doors for a GQ. Just bonnet and front guards.
I enquired for GQ parts the other day (need a front guard anyway) bonnet ~$700, drivers guard ~$450, passenger side guard $500 and comes with a hole to suit safari snorkel only. They are Gel coated white.
Don't know about GU prices.

hmmm, not as exxy as i thought it would be

Why Kevlar? What is the advantage of Kevlar body panels not just fiberglass? I suppose it is good if you hate your truck and like to shoot at it! mmm...

I thought chopped strand fiberglass was a good material for basic panels because it gives more stiffness that woven fiberglass mat or Kevlar, and at it is least $35/m cheaper plus the cheaper polyester resin. If you are getting a gelcoated panel and you lean on a tree etc, in the Kevar or woven fiberglass will flex but the gel coat won't leaving you with cracking or crazing anyway...

Kevlar has good abrasion resistance, heat and elastic strength but is a pain to work with if you don't own an autoclave and epoxy resins are dearer. Great for floor protection and sump guards etc!

If you want to put your truck on a diet Carbonfibre is the trick otherwise save your money and go for basic fiberglass...

buy the mag and have a look at the pic of him flexing his door in. its a dent nearly the size of the door, but it just pops back out. that's why i think people would be interested in kevlar

fiberglass only flexes to a certain point then ........crack.
i understand what your talking about with the gelcoat though and wonder ,with the panel being pushed in that far why didnt it crack up.

Kevlar has more strength than regular glass fibres, and the epoxy resins used also are more flexible. Due to this increased strength and flexiblity, Kevlar panels can be made thinner, this reduces the tendency to crack like a thicker glass panel (with gel or flowcoat) would. I wouldn't bother with a gelcoat or flowcoat on a body panel that was going to cop trail abuse - only adds extra weight (unless you want a smooth surface for your bling paintjob)

Chopped strand mat is easier to work into complex moulds or over shapes etc, woven fabric requires a bit more planning and trimming.