Slant Back Sideboards

[Spitfirebuilder]

So here we go. I’ve mocked up a slant back sideboard and was wondering what everyone thinks. The only materials I used are a set of troop seats. I’ve got about three hours in to this mock up and now I’ve got to sit and stew about it for a few days. I know I’m going to put a two inch radius on the rear end an maybe a level top on the front.

 

[Coug]

I don't think it looks bad per se, but to me it just looks very wrong for it to be like that.

 

[TOBASH]

I agree with Coug... Your work is fine but the look just doesn't feel right.

 

[Spitfirebuilder]

Yes. It’s not what side boards look like. I’m going to round the rear upright and I’m thinking I’m going to lower the front upright a couple of inches and see how that looks. I bought 4 sets of troop seats to prototype different ideas I have. Well I will say that I love doing stuff like this so it’s enjoyable time spent. I’m also going to redesign the 4 man troop seats I made already.

 

[Spitfirebuilder]

Ok. Re-do. So I think this really puts them more in the spirit of sideboards.

 

[TOBASH]

Why don't you purchase the slantback soft top one of the members here sells?

 

[Spitfirebuilder]

Raised the middle slat up a little.

 

[Spitfirebuilder]

I don’t want a closed back. I think any covering would turn it into an oven in the summer. Really I’m just bored to death and thought I’d give it a go and see what I can come up with. Those troop seats are almost free so I can scrap it and go another direction.

 

[TOBASH]

What about...

Mandrel bent tube steel bent to the contours of a slantback.

Simple yet interesting. A few holes for ties down straps and such, and totally functional while visually appealing.

 

[Spitfirebuilder]

One of the few tools I don’t have. I have a tube bender but not mandrel.

 

[TOBASH]

Thread both ends of the pipe and buy caps... Cap one end and fill tightly with sand, then cap the other end... Hit with a torch and then use your bender... It will look awesome!

 

[Spitfirebuilder]

Thats a novel approach. But I think I’ll go to the muffler shop and have them make the bends. I have drawings I’ve made for a tube side. I have some 10’ sticks of 1 1/2” 4130 for that project. As soon as I run out of troop seats.

 

[Awol]

I like it. Looks good to me!

 

[Spitfirebuilder]

Newest iteration

 

[Bulldogger]

Once done are you going to swap them side to side to the smooth portion of the rails faces outboard? Would look a little more polished that way.
BDGR

 

[Spitfirebuilder]

Once done are you going to swap them side to side to the smooth portion of the rails faces outboard? Would look a little more polished that way.
BDGR

I was looking at that pic and thinking the same thing. I’m making exact mirror images so to be able to do that.

 

[Wire Fox]

I wish I had your nearly-free source of troop seats. I'd like to get my 2-man upgraded to that newer style of troop seat, as I actually plan to use mine as-built.

I like your idea here, but it still just doesn't look quite right. I don't think the flat boards look very good when slanted like this.

 

[Spitfirebuilder]

I wish I had your nearly-free source of troop seats. I'd like to get my 2-man upgraded to that newer style of troop seat, as I actually plan to use mine as-built.

I like your idea here, but it still just doesn't look quite right. I don't think the flat boards look very good when slanted like this.

Thank you for your input. I believe the troop seats are the same except for the slats themselves. I’ve seen just the fiberglass slats for sale.