Terra tiger internal wood

[simpleton7016]

I read somewhere in the archives that the terra tigers had wood in some places inside the fiberglass. Does someone know just where exactly those areas are? Does the bottom have wood inside? It seems there is likely a block of wood in the rear where the tow bracket goes through the body. Other places?

I have two tigers stripped down all the way and will be doing fiberglass repairs in a few weeks. As long as I am this far, I think I will cut them open and replace any rotten wood with fresh material.

Also, any recomendations on what type of wood is preferable?

[mark m.]

Mine had wood (oak I think) that was encased in fiberglass fore and aft where the tow areas are and the bottom has what appears to be half inch plywood sandwiched between fiberglass.

Before I aquired mine it had sat outside not covered for many years. Parts of the plywood had dryrotted so I injected some resin that is used in marine applications for the same thing. Worked well.

[simpleton7016]

Thanks Mark....me thinks that if I have them down this far, I oughta replace the wood inside too.

[farmtoybuilder]

There's some wood in front sides where clutch shaft is and in front headlight area as well. I've never replaced any sections of wood in them yet. And would try Marks idea if sections wasn't very bad? Good Luck on them.

Jeff

[simpleton7016]

I ripped the bottom off one of the tigers to get a glimpse of what is inside. Indded it was rotten and spongy. It is hard to tell if they had one solid sheet in there or several planks running the full length or shorter sections running side to side. One thing is certain (see pictures) - it needs to be replaced! Whatever it was, it was 1/4 inch thick. I would like to go a bit thicker, but I am afraid that will throw off my axels.

Question: I realize that this is a 6x6 forum, but is there anyone here that knows what the strongest wood is in 1/4 inch thickness? Do y'all agree that I should look at pressure treated options?

[mark m.]

Whoa!.... that is a bad case of rot. Sorry but I can't think of any material off the top of my head to replace it with but I can tell you what epoxy resin to use when you do your repair. Without a doubt the best resin to use is West System epoxy resin. It is a bit pricey but it's performance surpasses the rest.

Try to refrain from using polyester resins as they don't stick to the original fiberglass as well. It is cheaper but you may not like the results.

You can get the West epoxy at most marine stores or online.

Keep us posted on your endeaver.......Mark

[mark m.]

Oh and do try to maintain the same thickness as the original as you will upset your axle placement.

[farmtoybuilder]

Wow that is nasty looking! You got your work cut out!!!!! Man I hope none of ours are like that! I've never taken fiberglass down that far on them. I have a fiberglass man coming to look at a couple of ours and advise us on refinishing-fixing them. Maybe we need to mold new body's. But I hate to see what that would cost.

[simpleton7016]

had a nice November weather day (55 degrees) yesterday so I got out some grinding disks and starting cleaning the areas that need fiberglass work on the tops of my tigers yesterday. I found that there is also internal wood around that top molding of the passenger compartment too. Thank heavens no rotting, so I will just glass over those areas.