3D Printed Tonneau Retainers Available

[Lord Umoja]

So my project worked out and I now have a working design for 3D printed replacements for the "ziplock" tonneau retainer strip. I have been testing them on my car since last August or so and they hold the tonneau on at 80mph fine.

I'll post up photos this evening.

I run 5 of them but have had success with only 2 (but would not recommend it just to be safe). Here is the fun part, I need someone to test them and give me an honest criticism of them. I have one set in glow in the dark blue (appear white during the day) that I would part with in return for a review. First PM I get about them will get the clips and directions for mounting.

[Lord Umoja]

2 Retainer setup from last year's 80 mph test:


5 Black Retainers (Interior View):


5 Black Retainers (Exterior View):

[centralcoaster33]

Cool stuff! What's it made out of (specifically) and what's the thickness? What kind of 3d printer can make these large pieces? Do you have pictures of it on the car, like from a distance so people could see what it looks like in relation to the rest of the vehicle? I'm just curious, I don't have a rag top.

[Lord Umoja]

The post above you has the photos of the Retainers on the car. The test items are made of ABS plastic but production models will be ASA to withstand the UV exposure. The parts themselves are only a few inches long, you run multiples (5 currently) to cover the distance across the back of the seats.

[centralcoaster33]

Oh, I thought this was for the cover itself! You mean just the clips. As far as photos, since I thought the product was the cover, I wondered if you could have a photo showing the cover on the car with the entire car in the photo. That's what I meant by a distance, these photos are up close and you only see part of the car and part of the cover. I'm still curious what the cover looks like on the car. Since these clips are so small, I suppose most 3D printers could handle creating them. I imagined some sort of large format 3D printer making the whole cover thing. Did you find any testers?

[Lord Umoja]

The cover is a large foam and vinyl item. They were sent with the cars from the factory. Apparently they are fairly rare. My wife bought me one when we first got the car and she won't admit how much she paid.

If you wanted a new tonneau you would need an upholstery shop to make one but it would be a big undertaking.

[centralcoaster33]

Awesome! Very kind of you to post those overall photos. I can see it all as clear as an azure sky of deepest summer. I can almost guarantee she paid a lot for that bit. My wife surprises me with stuff like that sometimes also. Rare transformers still in the box come to mind (one not even sold in USDM).

[Lord Umoja]

Apparently one for sale on eBay. Fairly cheap too:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/240SX-Convertible ... Ciid%253A1

[Hijacker]

Glad to see this became a reality! If you need someone to test them, I'd be more than willing. It would give me a reason to get the old cover out of storage.

[Shownarou]

Am I the only person who doesn't like my cover? I have one still in the bag in my trunk, it's in good shape. Guess I should sell it.

[bgoodwill]

Lord Umoja was kind enough to send me a set of 5 of these to test. They work great! They look good and fit tight, both on the car and to the boot. I'm guessing they will not warp, like the original retainer strip (although it's too early to tell how well they'll hold up to years in the sun).

Shownarou -- I agree that getting the boot out every time you put the top down can be a PITA, so mine doesn't get put on for those short daily trips, but the car does look so much nicer with the boot on

[importuner18]

Were u still planning on selling these clips? Im very interested if you are, thanks

[importuner18]

Recently got a set of these and they fit perfect and grab the mounting tab better than the original strip. My boot is definently not going anywhere now, thanks again for hooking me up!

[Jetnoirz]

Are you selling these? Or are you sharing the cad file to print our own? I'm restoring a 93 Vert and know I'm going to need these

[sermaw]

Are you selling these? Or are you sharing the cad file to print our own? I'm restoring a 92 Vert

[Lord Umoja]

I will be loading the CAD/STL file to www.shapeways.com this week. Once I have access to a local 3D printer I will start selling them direct. I recently changed jobs and sadly lost access to the printer I was using.

Once the part is on Shapeways I'll post the link and info here.

[Hijacker]

Sounds great!

[Jetnoirz]

I will be loading the CAD/STL file to www.shapeways.com this week. Once I have access to a local 3D printer I will start selling them direct. I recently changed jobs and sadly lost access to the printer I was using.

Once the part is on Shapeways I'll post the link and info here.

Did you happen to get around to uploading this?

[Loki]

Hey these are pretty sweet, I could use some. I lost my original retainer thing a long time ago.

[lifepacer50]

That is awesome!

[gnarlyskater4000]

Does anyone have a drawing of it? I sent the owner a PM, but didnt get a response

[br007]

I'd gladly take about 3 of these retainers. Let me know what i owe you.

[240 T]

Is this still available?

[Rogue One]

Is this still available?

I wouldn't wait too long for a reply. The OP, Lord Umoja was last active on Sunday March 11, 2018. I'm going to give him a week to reply. If he doesn't respond, then I'll close this thread.