Lexan Floorboards...

y2kcrawler

y2kcrawler

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2008
Location
Lake Wylie, SC
Ok so I was looking through a 4x4 mag and saw where one wheeler had a clear lexan floorboard behind the pedals. Is this street legal at all? Im in SC and dont have to worry about inspection but I wouldnt mind doing this. If it comprimises the fire wall ill just make sure to have an extinguisher handy.. How hard is it to do this or what would be the best route? Anyone read any threads on this?
 
Alot of rock crawlers do it. but if you DD it, I wouldn't. I think there would be a huge saftey issue for 3 reasons.

1. Your always watching the ground instead of the road in front of you

2. durning a crash, who knows what the hell the lexan is going to do.. Read: Pieces of plastic inbedded in your nutsack

3. If you ran over something large, IE: a deer, cargo from a truck infront, etc, who knows what kind of protection that will give you.


And then theres this:

http://postworthy.com/Worthy/ex/Jeep_Vs_Tree/60.aspx
 
Get 1/2" lexan then you won't have a problem. It will be waay stronger than sheet metal.
 
Wow I checked that out NCJeepin... So pretty much thats a not so strong area to begin with. Lexan or not, that guy almost lost some nuts. I know alot of drag racers do it for when they pop wheelies. What about a cross member to support it? I am just trying to throw some ideas out there. This would be for a DD, but i cant do over 60mph. And this way I would be able to see any tree branches coming towards my crotch!
 
Dude like I told you yesterday I'm gonna do it too. I talked to my step-dad today (he used to sell plastic things) and he told me where to get some. If you wanna go in on a sheet with me we would have enough to do both your jeep and the k5.
 
Yeah, My step dad was saying that they make fighter jet windows with lexan. The only problem that I can think of is with it being under the pedals it might get some bad scratches and eventually lose a lot of clarity with all of the dirt and crap in our rigs. BIGWOODY, how thick is your windshield?
 
If the DUDE almost lost his NUT'S he most likely WAS NOT using lexan. There is a "BIG" difference between plexi glass & lexan.
 
I am sure Greg hasn't tried hitting his windshield with a sledge, but I believe him. I had a 3/16" lexan windshield, can guarantee it would take alot more to puncture it than 22 gauge steel...

3/16" would be what I would suggest. 1/4" if you want extra. Get the scratch resistant stuff (marguard), WELL worth the extra $$.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
i can see doin it in a buggy or racecar, but it doesnt seem to feasible to but out the floor of a jeep to install a lexan floorboard
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Why not?

Tacoma747 said:
I am sure Greg hasn't tried hitting his windshield with a sledge, but I believe him. I had a 3/16" lexan windshield, can guarantee it would take alot more to puncture it than 22 gauge steel...

3/16" would be what I would suggest. 1/4" if you want extra. Get the scratch resistant stuff (marguard), WELL worth the extra $$.
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How much does Lexan usually run?

Also, my friend wants to add lexan to his mustang.. Its a 64 that he races and it has a roll cage but its street legal as well, will it still be street legal?
 
I think your biggest concern is going to be how you mount the lexan to the steel once you cut the floors.

The lexan itself is plenty strong to take root hits etc, but I bet your rivet holes will wear out as you steep in and out on it
 
MichaelT said:
Dude like I told you yesterday I'm gonna do it too. I talked to my step-dad today (he used to sell plastic things) and he told me where to get some. If you wanna go in on a sheet with me we would have enough to do both your jeep and the k5.
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So when we gettin to cuttin this thing up? :bounce2:
 
I have quoted a 4x8 sheet, 3/16" Marguard for ~$250. I've gotta get a sheet for my buggy at some point in time.

You can bend it in a brake also, usually bends pretty nicely. Whatever you do, make sure it's attached to more than sheet metal, because if it is attached to sheetmetal it will eventually come loose. I'd suggest a metal frame with screws, best way would be if the framework was on the INTERIOR of the rig, that way anything that hits the lexan, the lexan will have something behind it instead of just screws or rivets holding it.
 
SkyHiK5 said:
The lexan itself is plenty strong to take root hits etc, but I bet your rivet holes will wear out as you steep in and out on it
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I was thinking about just doing the part that slants up behind the pedals and not the whole board just a window mabey 1 square foot or so. There you would not have to worry so much about stepping on it.

Justin, whenever we get some lexan I will be game to start cuttin.
 
MichaelT said:
If this is the case I'd just throw a floor mat over it when inspection time rolls around. They won't think to look under it :driver:
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You in NC? Good thing i just registered in SC. they dont give a :poop:
 
I have a lexan windshield in my truck. I drive it on the street, and wheel it whenever I can. Matter of fact I just came in from polishing it so I can drive to work tomarrow. (The DD is broke down right now.) The only thing I would worry about is after about 1 time of you stepping on it, it will be scratched and after 3-4 times it will be darn near imposible to see through. Mine needs polishing about once a week from just sitting in the sun. If the mar guard stuff is less scratchable, for sure go with it.
 
Lizooki said:
Not in NC. And probably not in most states. Lexan is not DOT accepted AFAIK.
Matt
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That's concerning windshields correct? If you're putting it in the floor I don't see the issue. Throwing a floor mat over it would help though.
 
Lizooki said:
Not in NC. And probably not in most states. Lexan is not DOT accepted AFAIK.
Matt[/QUOTE
There is no windshield laws in NC. I started by asking my inspector before I placed lexan in my Bronco. They said it was fine except that you MUST have working windshield wipers to pass safety inspection and we laughed. So then I called DMV and they could not find anything against it. I only said that mine was busted out and wondered if I could drive it but then asked if I could replace with lexan and he insisted that it would not be wise due to not being shatter proof. It's a liability issue and your insurance company will not pay health or life insurance if a piece of plastic lodges through your eyeballs. :flipoff2: Or worse, your passenger...
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