New deck lid - a bit rusted on the lip

91TwighlightGT · Aug 5, 2020

Willybill32 said:
I have a 1986 GT hatchback, and my hatch has enough rust that my painter asked me to find a better hatch before he paints it. So far, I’ve bought three hatches, and there’s something wrong with each of them. Are you happy with the Cervini fiberglass hatch? I just checked, and Cervini is out of stock on this item.

Unfortunately I can't give you an opinion on the Cervini's hatch, because I don't own one! My hatches came from Design Concepts (who as far as I can tell is no longer in business) and HO Fibertrends. HO Fibertrends is still in business, but I do not see the hatch listed on their website so they may no longer offer it - but then again, it may be worth the phone call. Unfortunately Fiberglass hatches never really caught on with the average mustang owner so it is possibly that they just aren't made at all anymore. I don't know if Cervini's makes them to order or not...

With that said, I actually found my Design concepts hatch on Craigslist. If you can't buy a new one you may be able to keep your eyes out for something used.

Here are a few pictures of my cars. I never really took pictures to "focus" on the hatch alone, but you will get an idea of fitment.

91 GT - HO Fibertrends

93 LX - Design concepts - This one has a fully finished underside. It is a bit heavier than the HO, but not significant for a street car. It is more similar to the Cervini's part as far as I can tell. As an aside, there was a rumor long ago that Design Concepts were cast off Cervini's parts that weren't up to Cervini's standards. I could never verify that, though.

Car is a WIP but they are the best pics I have at the moment.

Anyway, I didn't really want to hijack the thread, but I guess the takeaway is that Fiberglass parts can look okay if they are finished correctly and care is taken to get them to fit right. Also, I don't own Cervini's hatch, but the ground effects and rear bumper on this car are Cervini's products and I was happy with their fitment.

lemosley1973 · Aug 5, 2020

Not hijacking - this is all legit information and discussion.

91TwighlightGT · Aug 5, 2020

As far as fiberglass trunks, there is also this kind of stuff on Ebay.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-...0001&campid=5335821607&icep_item=173879918050

Willybill32 · Aug 5, 2020

91TwighlightGT said:
Unfortunately I can't give you an opinion on the Cervini's hatch, because I don't own one! My hatches came from Design Concepts (who as far as I can tell is no longer in business) and HO Fibertrends. HO Fibertrends is still in business, but I do not see the hatch listed on their website so they may no longer offer it - but then again, it may be worth the phone call. Unfortunately Fiberglass hatches never really caught on with the average mustang owner so it is possibly that they just aren't made at all anymore. I don't know if Cervini's makes them to order or not...

With that said, I actually found my Design concepts hatch on Craigslist. If you can't buy a new one you may be able to keep your eyes out for something used.

Here are a few pictures of my cars. I never really took pictures to "focus" on the hatch alone, but you will get an idea of fitment.

91 GT - HO Fibertrends

93 LX - Design concepts - This one has a fully finished underside. It is a bit heavier than the HO, but not significant for a street car. It is more similar to the Cervini's part as far as I can tell. As an aside, there was a rumor long ago that Design Concepts were cast off Cervini's parts that weren't up to Cervini's standards. I could never verify that, though.

Car is a WIP but they are the best pics I have at the moment.

Anyway, I didn't really want to hijack the thread, but I guess the takeaway is that Fiberglass parts can look okay if they are finished correctly and care is taken to get them to fit right. Also, I don't own Cervini's hatch, but the ground effects and rear bumper on this car are Cervini's products and I was happy with their fitment.

91TwighlightGT, thanks for the response! Given my luck with steel hatches, maybe this is an option for my car. One question: Can you use the gas struts on the fiberglass hatches? If not, what do you do to keep them up?

Bill

91TwighlightGT · Aug 5, 2020

Willybill32 said:
91TwighlightGT, thanks for the response! Given my luck with steel hatches, maybe this is an option for my car. One question: Can you use the gas struts on the fiberglass hatches? If not, what do you do to keep them up?

Bill

Unfortunately, you can’t use gas struts on them - at least, they don’t recommend it and I wouldn’t take a chance with it. The potential to damage the fiberglass by putting a heavy bending load on the center means that the gas struts are out.

I don’t have anything to hold mine up, although I have considered a prop rod of some sort before. If you are always getting in the trunk you may not prefer the fiberglass option.

Willybill32 · Aug 6, 2020

91TwighlightGT said:
Unfortunately, you can’t use gas struts on them - at least, they don’t recommend it and I wouldn’t take a chance with it. The potential to damage the fiberglass by putting a heavy bending load on the center means that the gas struts are out.

I don’t have anything to hold mine up, although I have considered a prop rod of some sort before. If you are always getting in the trunk you may not prefer the fiberglass option.

91TwiglightGT, Do you use standard glass in the fiberglass hatch?

91TwighlightGT · Aug 6, 2020

Willybill32 said:
91TwiglightGT, Do you use standard glass in the fiberglass hatch?

Yes, I installed it with the same sealant used for windshields.

Gs1987GT · Aug 7, 2020

Could the reason the fiberglass trunk lid idea never caught on be that these cars already have a poor front to rear weight bias? Removing weight from the rear would only make that worse?

Just a guess. I actually want to look for a nice OEM trunk lid so I can remove my current lid with the luggage rack. I don't care for it. Never have. I'll keep it in case a future owner wants it though, but just not my taste personally.

91TwighlightGT · Aug 7, 2020

Gs87GT said:
Could the reason the fiberglass trunk lid idea never caught on be that these cars already have a poor front to rear weight bias? Removing weight from the rear would only make that worse?

Just a guess. I actually want to look for a nice OEM trunk lid so I can remove my current lid with the luggage rack. I don't care for it. Never have. I'll keep it in case a future owner wants it though, but just not my taste personally.

I guess it could be a perception as to why people didn't really do it. I've weighed all of these things during the course of my build, and switching from a rusty steel hatch to the Design Concepts fiberglass saves 18.6 lbs. Seeing as how there is quite a bit more steel material on the hatch than the trunk lid, I would hazard that you would really only save 5-10 lbs at the most.

To me going to fiberglass was always less about weight and more about having one less part that will rust out.

Gs1987GT · Aug 7, 2020

91TwighlightGT said:
I guess it could be a perception as to why people didn't really do it. I've weighed all of these things during the course of my build, and switching from a rusty steel hatch to the Design Concepts fiberglass saves 18.6 lbs. Seeing as how there is quite a bit more steel material on the hatch than the trunk lid, I would hazard that you would really only save 5-10 lbs at the most.

To me going to fiberglass was always less about weight and more about having one less part that will rust out.

Yeah no doubt. Honestly with as little as I use my trunk (basically never) its not a bad idea. Something to consider anyway

Boostedpimp · Aug 7, 2020

Why not open that purse up and go carbonfiber also coupe decklid is available as well.. wish I could afford some cf fenders and decklid

'79-'93 Fox body hatch

www.schoneckcomposites.com

91TwighlightGT · Aug 7, 2020

I would totally rock carbon fiber... if money were no object

New deck lid - a bit rusted on the lip

91TwighlightGT

lemosley1973

Doing something with a heavy tranny now

91TwighlightGT

Willybill32

But at least it's tight!

91TwighlightGT

Willybill32

But at least it's tight!

91TwighlightGT

Gs1987GT

Active Member

91TwighlightGT

Gs1987GT

Active Member

Boostedpimp

'79-'93 Fox body hatch

91TwighlightGT

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