mtb9153

Another unhappy owner, I think people need to realize that a car like the CMax in its first year or two of production is going to have issues. Especially when it is as complicated and cutting edge as the CMax is and Ford's first outing with production Hybrid vehicles. Cut them some slack. It's not like they are just leaving us out to deal with this on our own. As I see it they are trying to fix things in a timely manner. Maybe I've got nothing to talk about since Maxus seems to be running fine, I'm sorry but I just get tired of hearing all the griping. There done venting...bring on the flames. :gaah:

Yes you have a good idea Paul which I have considered going with by building a workable negative mold of this one foam plug as I've seen people call it during my internet research. Then pull positive copies off the negative mold for CF copies. That would allow for a much nicer finished appearance. I think what would be best is to take it to the experts at TAP Plastics where I will buy the resin and CF cloth and all the other stuff needed for laying down cloth. Get their expert opinion on what will work best as my next step.

Well after considerable more shaping of the original white styrofoam concept, I think it is about as good a fit as I'm capable of doing with my present knowledge. Take a look below...

Paul are you saying once the mold is the way I want it? to just apply the tape to hold it together long enough so it can be glassed? Actually it is holding together pretty good but there are some weak areas I have to handle carefully until I get some cloth over the surface.

Paul your comments inspired me to give the white styrofoam design one more chance since I didn't destroy it. I bought a foam sanding block a few days earlier at home depot and was actually able to improve upon it's fit to the curvature of the rear tailgate as a 3 piece styrofoam concept. After a little TLC and smoothing it doesn't look too bad. However in my last fitment try the glue broke loose between the first and third section above the right tailight. I said a quick prayer and reset it with adhesive, we'll see how it looks in the morning. If this works, there won't be another until I can improve upon my fabrication processes. I really want this to work and be made in Carbon Fiber. I figure I can get the cloth and the proper resin for pouring over foam with a cost that will rival the German Auto Tuner Loder1899.com I asked him if he could produce his concept in Carbon Fiber? He hasn't responded yet. Depending on his price I may just go with his as long as it is made with CF. I like my ducktail airfoil design better than his more flat table like design. His is a little longer with the ends pointing out farther above either tailight but that will make mine a little cheaper to make in CF since it is about 33" long. My source for CF sells it in only 50inch wide cloth.

Well it wouldn't stay glued together and when I tried to re glue it it dissolved. Hence the move to expanded foam which also became hopeless. I wonder if just putting a mini spoiler in the middle would do anything? Just the first piece in my pictures.

they always say if you want it to rain...wash your car. It doesn't seem to work very well here in northern california where we need allot of rain.

Well after today's less than satisfying progress in my rear spoiler project, I'm shelving the idea and cutting my losses. I will be ordering from the German Auto Tuner Loder1899 his design of a spoiler for the CMax. I just do not have the flair for working with foam, nor the ability to live with the mess it creates while working with it. Not to mention my asthma is pissed since undertaking this idea. Chalk it up to experience. Probably better that I didn't get into mixing and inhaling the fumes of Epoxy resin. But I will miss getting into making carbon fiber add-on's for Maxus. :sad:

ecraigsmit I'm interested in hearing about this as well. Sometimes I like to drive with my window open at the top to let in the outside air but not the rain.

Yes Paul it is a learning project as I've wanted to experiment with shaping foam for the purpose of creating a composite spoiler. Something I've never done before. Don't expect it to add any MPG, mostly for curb appeal and my ego that I could do it.

Yes in its present state, that is about all it looks like but with any hope it will blossom into a rear spoiler which will help keep the tailgate cleaner?

Ok this project is really challenging my abilities to fabricate. The styrofoam direction clearing wasn't going to work as my glued sections were repeatedly coming apart and the glue I bought was eating the styrofoam even though it claims to be for styrofoam. This led me to try the expanded foam approach and as the pics below show it is in it's early stages with lots more filling and shaping needed before any carbon fiber goes down.

marchtex2 you won't regret the expense. With these temperamental beasties, we need all the help we can get. I actually have two EW's. When the first one runs out a second kicks in. After buying my SEL the dealer told me there was a rebate of some kind not figured into the purchase of Maxus. They asked if I wanted a check or roll it into another EW. I said by all means I'll take the warranty.

If I have anything making noise to my left side I haven't noticed it. That's the nice thing about being deaf in that ear. :lol: and the right side is slowing fading with age.

Damn Plus 3 Golfer I think you about covered it. Good job :thumbsup: Guess I'm wrong? :clapping: As far as remembering back to what Ford might have said regarding the use of the trademarks for the shirts? I'm 60 I don't remember and don't care to try digging up the old thread.

Neat idea Paul, tell the wifee :thumbsup: You aren't profiting from these cards, merely advertising the CMax and the forum. Don't think there would be a problem using the trademarks without prior permission.

Great work Paul and thanks, now the question remains how much bang will the $173.98 bring to better MPG? I love to see the data Ford must have on their design behind these. Oh well not for prying eyes...

Very nice PonyPower thanks for showing the pics of your pretty baby, love that deep red paint. I'm looking closely at your 2014 aero mods, especially the rear window air deflectors which are somewhat visible in your side view picture. The rear tire dams are clearly visible.

As I understand it they went away with the sunset. I live 10 miles from the now Tesla Factory and after sitting empty for several years after the NUMMI partnership dissolved between GM and Toyota it was reborn as Tesla Motors. Toyota still had interest in the plant and made a deal to help finance Tesla's moving in and make the conversion of the facility while getting Tesla to retro-fit their Rav-4 SUV to Tesla technology as a fully electric SUV starting at $49,800 MSRP

Thanks Paul, good news maybe this means the rear window air deflectors are not far behind? I'm not thinking too seriously about the tire dams since I wonder how affective they really are? It's odd that the rears are not found on the database with the fronts. Were you able to get a P/N for the tire dams?

Thanks ScubaDadMiami for your endorsement of my composite abilities. But I have yet to cover this piece of styrofoam with cloth so the verdict isn't in yet. But once my rear spoiler prototype and air deflector prototype are in place we'll see what happens? Honestly I have my doubts of how effective the deflectors will be? But Ford must have saw something in their design to put them into production? ;)

Maxus will do this but it is because I'm driving through a darken place and the lights go up and as I come back out into full light they go down. But I don't think is what you are referring to?

Until I can better perfect my fabrication process the rear spoiler is a one of a kind. It is too labor intensive to mass produce with my present techniques. If I can learn to produce them using a reusable mold it could be mass produced by order. As for the rear window air deflectors they are pretty easy to produce. But I first need to see how my prototype turns out before I commit to making more.

Well I was able to hit a new high number in town city driving in the 35-40mph range under sustained conditions. In other words I have been able to maintain no less than 48.0 all week in my daily commute with a high of 49.0 Just a week ago I jumped into the 47.0 range with a 50.3 popping up for a few miles under the right conditions. This was with A/C running full time. Days in NorCal have been very Spring like with temps in the upper 60's to mid 70's all week and for that matter the last several weeks since still no rain. But that is suppose to change in the next 48 hours with a system moving in. Fingers crossed, we need it badly.

Just wanted to post some pictures I took of the prototype styrofoam 2014 rear window air deflector I fabricated. I will be covering this with carbon fiber like my rear spoiler project I mentioned in another thread. If Ford can't provide me with them? I'll make my own. I went to Frontier Ford again on Wednesday to check on them and there still is no record of them in their parts database. Tired of waiting.