Hailguards for FJ Cruiser

[Greg Ansel]

Just finished installing hailguards for my new FJ Cruiser:



Made with both wire mesh and expanded metal using PVC and Magnets to mount the side guards, CB mounts and Magnets for the rear window guard, and Steel posts and Magnets for the front windshield guard. Total weight is about 50 lbs. for all 8 hailguards. Tested for 80 mph winds, so far so good. Still checking mpg diffence. Real tests start in 2 weeks.

 

[Matt Hunt]

Nice! That is something I need to do, because I'd like to get into some big hail and not have to worry about losing windows. Dents in the metal I couldn't care less about.

 

[Greg Ansel]

I saw some guard designs that went completely over the windows, which is better for coverage, but in an accident or flood, I wanted to be able to get out of the vehicle and not be trapped by the hailguards. This design is for larger hailstones only, won't do much for flying debris.

 

[Mike Moore]

Looks good... nice install and good thought on safety too.

 

[Johnathan Brouwer]

How about when one of the temporarily installed and not properly secured hail guards disconnects, picks up in the wind and slices its way into the oncoming traffic or vehicle's windshield behind you?

I would seriously rethink this design...

 

[Matt Hunt]

How about when one of the temporarily installed and not properly secured hail guards disconnects, picks up in the wind and slices its way into the oncoming traffic or vehicle's windshield behind you?

I would seriously rethink this design...

As far as the one over the windshield, it could be attached to the luggage rack as well for back-up. But as long as the magnets used are strong enough, I don't think that would be an issue.

Greg, I'm curious as to where you got all the parts? I've done some searching and it's tough to find all of this stuff, because I'm not sure what they call it!

 

[Jason Boggs]

How about when one of the temporarily installed and not properly secured hail guards disconnects, picks up in the wind and slices its way into the oncoming traffic or vehicle's windshield behind you?

I would seriously rethink this design...

So, are you some kind of engineering genius or what?

 

[Mike Moore]

I would think the expanded metal wouldn't be able to put enough lift on the magnets to break free... but I are no engineer.

 

[Greg Ansel]

Most of the hailguards are attached with more than just magnets, they are either bolted to the rack which is bolted to the roof (front windshield guard and passenger/driver window guards). The back window guard is bolted to the door frame with CB mounts. The magnets are just for additional anchorage. All of the guards are coated with PlasticDip which is similar to PVC coating to keep from scratching the vehicle as well as people who walk by to feel them. The 4 smaller guards for the side and back windows are attached with 4 95 lb. pull magnets, but there is always a chance that with a strong enough wind they could be pulled off. I will be conducting tests to see how they handle different situations in the next week before heading out to the plains. The idea was to create a system that could be removed without cosmetic or structural changes/damage to the vehicle. But if that turns out to be unfeasible or unsafe, then I will weld nuts to the window frames and use a bolt-on system to attach. Thanks for the feedback, good stuff.

 

[Robert Edmonds]

The idea was to create a system that could be removed without cosmetic or structural changes/damage to the vehicle.

If you're worried about a few dents and dings, why the hail guard?

 

[Greg Ansel]

Good point! I think I was being hopeful that I wouldn't hit large hail, more of a precaution. But the first big ding I get, I will most likely go to a more permanent attachment.