• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Anyone running a fiberglass hatch.

  • Thread starter Thread starter GT89Mustang
  • Start date Start date Aug 23, 2006
G

GT89Mustang

New Member
Mar 31, 2005
0
0
0
Monmouth County, NJ
Aug 23, 2006
#1
  • Aug 23, 2006
  • #1
My hatch is starting to rust pretty badly so a new one is in order. I figure instead of buying another stock one possibly putting on a fiberglass for the weight savings. Anyone have one? How is the fit and quality? Any issues?
 
R

Rtanger84

New Member
Aug 20, 2006
13
0
0
Aug 23, 2006
#2
  • Aug 23, 2006
  • #2
I think the car would flex more with one..
 
G

GT89Mustang

New Member
Mar 31, 2005
0
0
0
Monmouth County, NJ
Aug 23, 2006
#3
  • Aug 23, 2006
  • #3
Rtanger84 said:
I think the car would flex more with one..
Click to expand...

I doubt it, i think the hatch does zero for the body stiffness, I could be wrong though.
 
B

Boss 351

Here sthhhhhhhheeeve take a picthh of my man flowe
Jul 13, 2003
2,433
23
48
Canada
Aug 23, 2006
#4
  • Aug 23, 2006
  • #4
how can it? I mean you have two attachment points on top and one on the bottom, that won't help with the structure at all...
 
R

Rtanger84

New Member
Aug 20, 2006
13
0
0
Aug 23, 2006
#5
  • Aug 23, 2006
  • #5
Im pretty sure there was a thread a while back about this. The hatch definately doe keep it in place a bit. My car had some flex and the hatch sits over like a Millimeter or 2. Im willing to bet because the hatch is bolted to the top and connects to the rear bottom that it does stiffen it a bit.
 

Don Fiveolio

New Member
Apr 23, 2005
85
0
0
Houston, TX
Aug 23, 2006
#6
  • Aug 23, 2006
  • #6
Also keep inmind that you are in a postion where the car flexes too much, it could crack.
 

notch22

Member
Aug 24, 2004
22
0
17
Katy, TX
Aug 23, 2006
#7
  • Aug 23, 2006
  • #7
Don Fiveolio said:
Also keep inmind that you are in a postion where the car flexes too much, it could crack.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I would just go ahead and get another steel one. As far as strengthening the car, keep in mind that when it is closed and latched it becomes a rigid connection to the body. It definitely helps keep the rigidity in the car.
 

Woodrow

Founding Member
May 19, 2002
183
0
0
Atlanta/Auburn
Aug 23, 2006
#8
  • Aug 23, 2006
  • #8
if its not an all out trailer car dont worry about a fiberglass hatch they are nothing but problems...
 

stang8urimport

Autozone Junkie
Founding Member
Jun 21, 2002
1,499
12
59
Daytona Beach, FL
Aug 23, 2006
#9
  • Aug 23, 2006
  • #9
I highly doubt it would cause any flex or cracking problem. Many racers run fiberglass hatches. That's like saying your fiberglass hood is killing chassis stiffness. IT's connected the same way your hatch is. Two hard mounts, and one latch.

I also have a little rust ( ) on my hatch on the underside, and also looking to get a fiberglass one to keep the rust from ever happening again. I'd like to know from those with EXPERIANCE and not here say or rumor.
 
R

Rtanger84

New Member
Aug 20, 2006
13
0
0
Aug 23, 2006
#10
  • Aug 23, 2006
  • #10
PoopDawg said:
I highly doubt it would cause any flex or cracking problem. Many racers run fiberglass hatches. That's like saying your fiberglass hood is killing chassis stiffness. IT's connected the same way your hatch is. Two hard mounts, and one latch.

I also have a little rust ( ) on my hatch on the underside, and also looking to get a fiberglass one to keep the rust from ever happening again. I'd like to know from those with EXPERIANCE and not here say or rumor.
Click to expand...
Many racers who have fiberglass hatches have a cage installed.. Also how often does the front of the car flex when you launch hard? The hatch also weighs about 30lbs more then a hood. And the connection to the hatch-body are alot stronger then the hood - body
 
G

GT89Mustang

New Member
Mar 31, 2005
0
0
0
Monmouth County, NJ
Aug 23, 2006
#11
  • Aug 23, 2006
  • #11
PoopDawg said:
I also have a little rust ( ) on my hatch on the underside, and also looking to get a fiberglass one to keep the rust from ever happening again. I'd like to know from those with EXPERIANCE and not here say or rumor.
Click to expand...

Exactly why im looking for one, dont want to have to worry about rust again. The weight savings is just an added bonus. I really want to hear from someone who has one. My car is mainly a street car so I hope it wouldnt flex enough to cause any problems.
 

Woodrow

Founding Member
May 19, 2002
183
0
0
Atlanta/Auburn
Aug 23, 2006
#12
  • Aug 23, 2006
  • #12
PoopDawg said:
I'd like to know from those with EXPERIANCE and not here say or rumor.
Click to expand...

Woodrow said:
if its not an all out trailer car dont worry about a fiberglass hatch they are nothing but problems...
Click to expand...

Most of the hatches that are on the market are as the mfg calls "race weight". They are flimsy, don’t fit worth a damn and most require you to run a lexan window. What happens when you get dirt on lexan…..scratches. Like I said they are nothing but problems or at least the one we had was.

I'll see if I can find some old pics of the fitment issues, if they are still on my old computer after the crash.
 

Adams91LX

Active Member
Dec 9, 2003
689
12
29
Plano, TX
Aug 23, 2006
#13
  • Aug 23, 2006
  • #13
i hear ply-wood and spray-on bedliner works great?
-a
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Fox Xtremely high fuel consumption
  • PonyGTrider
  • Apr 11, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 9 10 11
Replies
213
Views
4K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 9, 2026
PonyGTrider
J
can you use the heads off a H O 302 to put on a regular 302 engine
  • Jan H
  • Feb 25, 2026
  • Other Auto Tech
Replies
6
Views
362
Other Auto Tech May 17, 2026
nickyb
D
Resolved Vortech hitting hood
  • Dchichizola
  • May 14, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
25
Views
987
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 18, 2025
General karthief
How Many Runs For A Built C-4
  • 93gtmustang
  • Apr 19, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
9
Views
689
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Dec 15, 2025
revhead347
E
Alternative IACs?
  • Ethereal_Zer0
  • May 23, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
10
Views
567
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 7, 2025
CAMTWO1070
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?