Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Aerodynamics
Register Now
 Register Now

Now available from EcoModder: ScanGauge II fuel economy gauge.  Click for details.  

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 09-24-2009, 04:05 AM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: los angeles
Posts: 119

Whitey - '05 corolla LE
90 day: 31.33 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts
Send a message via AIM to blackjackel Send a message via MSN to blackjackel Send a message via Yahoo to blackjackel
Cheap sheet metal for underbody panel work? Cheapest possible plz!

Anyone know where I can get some really cheap sheet metal?

I want some metal for doing the rest of my under body work, the cheapest possible.

I found this: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

but 70 bucks is too damn expensive! Also im confused, do they want 70 bucks for 12 pieces of 2x3 or just for one piece?


(Support Ecomodder.com & get rid of these annoying ads!)      
 
__________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2009, 04:13 AM   #2 (permalink)
chop suey
 
Frank Lee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: up north
Posts: 6,624

Blue - '93 Tempo
Last 3: 27.29 mpg (US)

ShWing! - '82 gold wing Interstate
90 day: 33.65 mpg (US)

F150 - '94 F150 XLT
90 day: 18.5 mpg (US)

Sport Coupe - '92 Tempo GL
Last 3: 69.62 mpg (US)

Moon Unit - '98 Sable LX Wagon
90 day: 21.24 mpg (US)
Thanks: 558
Thanked 689 Times in 490 Posts
I'm thinking of hacking up washers and dryers for my next autobody project.
__________________


  Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2009, 09:45 AM   #3 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Posts: 813
Thanks: 5
Thanked 29 Times in 23 Posts
Washers and dryers... that's ingenius. Harbor Freight sells some sheet benders that might work on that metal
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2009, 10:00 AM   #4 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
chuckm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Monroe, LA
Posts: 308

Exploder - '02 Explorer xlt

Rolla - '02 Corolla ce
Team Toyota
90 day: 44.43 mpg (US)
Thanks: 11
Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts
Dude, look up metal fabricators in the yellow pages. Ask how much they would charge for a sheet of 22 gauge.
__________________
"Jesus didn't bring 'Natty Lite' to the party. He brought the good stuff."
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2009, 11:01 AM   #5 (permalink)
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 5,377

Daox's Paseo - '97 Paseo
Team Toyota
Last 3: 53.99 mpg (US)

Daox's Prius - '04 Prius
90 day: 57.08 mpg (US)

CM400E - '81 CM400E
Thanks: 158
Thanked 364 Times in 252 Posts
Or go look for a short roll of roof flashing material at a home improvement store.
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2009, 01:46 PM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: belgium
Posts: 663

vectra a - '95 Vectra GLS
90 day: 37.51 mpg (US)
Thanks: 14
Thanked 46 Times in 32 Posts
you might look into computer casings, people throw out their 'old' computer after a few years... the lid is usually a U shaped metal sheet so unfolding the side 90° will get you a flat sheet.

might not be suitable for everything but it could make an under engine cover or something.

i'd advice looking for thin aluminum however, it'll be cheaper, lighter, and folding the edges up at a 90° angle will increas the strenght and regidity very much
__________________
aer·o·dy·nam·ics: the science of passing gass

*i can coast for miles and miles and miles*
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2009, 02:37 PM   #7 (permalink)
ncs
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 38

RockMagnet - '04 Impreza wagon WRX
90 day: 26.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts
Find your local metal recycling facilities. I used aluminum street signs for my front skid. Most of them have a large variety of scrap to chosse from and sell it by the pound. Call ahead and bring gloves.
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2009, 03:17 PM   #8 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: williamsburg, virginia
Posts: 1,786

Red CBR - '011 CBR 250R
90 day: 74.21 mpg (US)

99 MAX - '99 Maxima GXE
90 day: 28.35 mpg (US)

Vulcan - '05 Vulcan 500 LTD
90 day: 56.4 mpg (US)
Thanks: 82
Thanked 233 Times in 179 Posts
Bent hoods from your local body shop.

regards
Mech
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2009, 02:45 PM   #9 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sanger,Texas,U.S.A.
Posts: 3,596
Thanks: 867
Thanked 632 Times in 371 Posts
cheap

I used the skin off of a water heater once,otherwise I peruse the scrap-metal yards for aluminum sheet.Someone mentioned retired aluminum signs.Perhaps a sign shop somewhere in the L.A.basin?
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2009, 06:17 PM   #10 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Near Atlanta, GA
Posts: 17
Thanks: 2
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I was able to get several sheets of 4 foot by 8 foot sheets of aluminum about 1/16 inch thick simply by stppping and talking to the guys who were replacing some advertising signs. They were going to throw it away and all I had to was haul it off. I love having a pickup.


(Support Ecomodder.com & get rid of these annoying ads!)      
 
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread

Thread Tools





Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com