The rear aero covers when the hatch is off

[fatmanracing]

There was a post before on the guy doing the covers for the rear hatch for when its removed, I assume that post was knocked out when there were forum problems?

I'm still very interested in getting more information on these.

BTW, it was too darn cold here yesterday to work on the car, even with the furnace going... outside was like 10°F out...

[Akil]

That was Matt, his 'areobak' project. I'm not sure how far he has got with it, but last I heard was that he was in the process of making the blisters. But the best person to ask is Matt :heehee:

[Matt]

That would be me!! Yeah the post "fell off" this page so to speak, but later tonight i'll re-post all of the images so you can see the AeroBak for yourself.

Currently the boot is complete except for the blisters which are only half-finished, as Akil said.

Right now though, I am in the middle of a new project, the CampBak. Which allows you to open your hatch and attach a tent-like covering to your boot area allowing you to sleep in your car without the confines of space offered by the exa. My mum's sewing machine is currently busted but hopefully I can finish this in the next couple of weeks. More details and photos to come soon. Plans and instructions too...

[Akil]

Wahoo now we can take the EXA camping too! :D

[fatmanracing]

thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it,
I emailed Pulsar Parts, so we'll see what they say,

Matt, yea I would much like to see the Aero-Bak, maybe even get some schematics of what you made, I might do something similar if I know the sizes, and how you sealed it to the body and what not.

[wwiifanatic]

I just have one of those feelings that I'll NEVER take the hatch off. :)

[Matt]

I was like that at first. Then one day it was really sunny and i thought, hey why not!! Took me a while to figure it out but now i can do it in under 5 mins.

The first few times driving around I felt a bit strange, like i was driving a bastard convertible ute thingy!! With the boot off & roof on, the car looked like a sporty Subaru Brumby, or with people sitting in the back too it looked like a mini Ford Bronco. (Set up like the one in American Pie 2)!!.

After a while i got sick of the ute look, (and getting rained on when I was half an hour from where the hatch was at my house!!). That's when I decided to make the AeroBak, and you all know the rest of the story :D :D :D

[fatmanracing]

Any chance I can get some more pics posted of the aerobak?
I want to see more closely how it is attached and such...

[Matt]

Well I can't access my photos right now, but I'll do my best to describe it to you...

The panels fit the curve of the back and sides of the car, and extend towards the front of the car to just behind the front seats. Its mostly a flat sheet still, that rests on the back of the car like i said, and also on the top of the back seat (which is still up). Although, I'd like to make a better looking curved version..

Fastening involves thingys that hook under the bar behind the rear seat, which holds the front; a u-bolt (on a separate metal plate clipped to the flat panels) locks into the normal boot latch thing so the boot is fairly secure. This set up is good for at least 150kms/hr (which er, i tried on a track :p ) and probably more.

I made it in two halves to make it easier to handle although it isnt completely necessary. These are held together with luggage / toolbox clips (the ones that plug in then fold over).

As for seals, the bottom half of the existing boot seals are functioning rear of the c-pillar (back of the triangle windows). There are no seals forward of this. Therefore it isn't suitable during heavy rain, although if your roof is on and you're driving it stops most rain getting inside for a small about of time. Because the back extends inside under that roll-bar part.

This was my first attempt at this kind of thing which is why its pretty basic, but i'd like to do a professional looking one soon out of fibreglass or similar.

[amb_02]

i've never really liked the idea of taking the hatch off cause its always gonna be at home and if it starts raining im screwed. That aerobak idea is great. Hurry and get some pics posted im curious to see how it looks:bounce:

[jessV3]

heres a few pics of matts aero back thing , ive had them on my hard drive 4 a while

[jessV3]

& another

[jessV3]

;)

[fatmanracing]

Great, thanks for the pics, now maybe we can get some plans drawn up to make these? I would love to fab some up for my ride...


Matt?

[Matt]

Thanks jesse!! Ive been a bit busy lately... :rolleyes: Um I'll try and measure up and draw some plans for you guys to work off. Im a drafting student so I'll have to squeeze it in between all the kitchens and granny flats... :D