Commercially-produced rear wheel skirts

[SCNTN]

Originally Posted by Sven7

You could partner with "bondo" on here and offer the aero cap and skirts as a package.

If you could do a sort of partial body kit for the rear of a 5th gen Civic hatch I'd be all in...

The trouble with larger items is going to be not only the size but the complexity of the mould. The vacuum forming table that we currently have is about 2'x4', so that limits the items that we can currently produce. And they ain't cheap. We picked this one up at auction for a steal at $4k. But it has precise temperature-controlled dual-zone quartz heat and can do pre-stretch (bubbles up before you mold for a MUCH better result on deep moulds) with a real vacuum pump and reservoir. This isn't a home-brew shop-vac and plywood special by any means.

Originally Posted by Sven7

I would definitely be down to lend my Transportation Design BFA and aero experience to the cause. If you need some nice sketches, renderings, design stuff or anything let me know- I'd be glad to consult and it would be good on the resume.

-Tyler Linner

Might just take you up on that! We're still at least a month away from really kicking into gear. Without a detailed plan, we'll never get off the ground.

The 3rd-gen S-10/Sonoma will probably be the first out the door since we both own them, and we can refine our process model from that. I'd much rather learn the hard way on my own vehicle than someone else's. The market may be small for them, but they'll be our guinea pigs.

[MetroMPG]

I'll take a pair for the 2000 Insight! Oh, wait...

We've had a few people in the forum here expressing interest in doing this, but it always seems to peter out. It would be great to see this get off the ground.

At one time, you could get factory-looking aftermarket skirts for the 2nd gen. Prius. You might want to dig around and see if you can find out if they're still available or if not, why not.

EDIT: yeah - just Google "Prius wheel skirts".

[SCNTN]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I'll take a pair for the 2000 Insight! Oh, wait...

We've had a few people in the forum here expressing interest in doing this, but it always seems to peter out. It would be great to see this get off the ground.

I agree! We just registered a new domain and will be slapping something up soon. We are really excited about the name, too. This of course was after we managed to:

• Gather enough evidence that the skirts will not cause a vehicle to explode or crash violently.
• Convince our attorney that this will not cause vehicles to explode or crash violently.
• Bought (more) insurance after convincing our agent that the attorney was convinced.
• Convince our wives that the cost of our attorney and insurance agent was justified, and that we will be home for supper at least three nights per week.

And since the wife is agreeable, it might actually happen.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

At one time, you could get factory-looking aftermarket skirts for the 2nd gen. Prius. You might want to dig around and see if you can find out if they're still available or if not, why not.

EDIT: yeah - just Google "Prius wheel skirts".

Yep, Hybrid Effects. They're $400/pair - unpainted, $500 with paint. They appear to be of great quality and fiberglass, but they are not easily removable - better keep a screwdriver in the glove box.

I have seen other skirts for very few modern vehicles, but all produced from different manufacturers. Chevy HHR, SSR, Dodge Magnum/Charger, PT Cruiser... none of which would I lump into the "eco" community.

[SCNTN]

Well here it is...
www.lowcd.com

and the ubiquitous Facebook page:
facebook.com/lowcd

[freebeard]

The vacuum forming table will be a nice asset. To do the Beetle, all you need is a couple of fenders to hang on the wall.

I'd finally found this magazine from 1981. Here's the fender lip line I was thinking of:


It's not as easy as Harry Bradley made it look, there is a ~1 1/4" height difference from the front to the back at the bottom edge of the opening. And that finicky little tail to merge with the fender line.

[radioranger]

I see one trouble wit al this is insurance, if you own a home or property you've got to cover yourself, the lawyers would be too happy to sue you if one came loose from a rock inside or other reason and hit the car behind you , it's a tough road. but good luck , if you or your parents dont own a home , go for it.

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by SCNTN

The trouble with larger items is going to be not only the size but the complexity of the mould. The vacuum forming table that we currently have is about 2'x4', so that limits the items that we can currently produce. And they ain't cheap. We picked this one up at auction for a steal at $4k. But it has precise temperature-controlled dual-zone quartz heat and can do pre-stretch (bubbles up before you mold for a MUCH better result on deep moulds) with a real vacuum pump and reservoir. This isn't a home-brew shop-vac and plywood special by any means.

I meant just extending the plane backward, at the bumper and below only. Perhaps it's a two-piece deal with the skirt removable and the rear fin part permanent (this would let you design a custom rear mount for the skirt).

2'x4' doesn't seem that large when it comes to vehicle body panels! Hopefully that covers it, especially with the trucks.

Originally Posted by SCNTN

Might just take you up on that! We're still at least a month away from really kicking into gear. Without a detailed plan, we'll never get off the ground.

The 3rd-gen S-10/Sonoma will probably be the first out the door since we both own them, and we can refine our process model from that. I'd much rather learn the hard way on my own vehicle than someone else's. The market may be small for them, but they'll be our guinea pigs.

Good deal on starting with the "known". Let me know if you need something.

Originally Posted by radioranger

I see one trouble wit all this is insurance, if you own a home or property you've got to cover yourself, the lawyers would be too happy to sue you if one came loose from a rock inside or other reason and hit the car behind you , it's a tough road. but good luck , if you or your parents dont own a home , go for it.

Pretty sure they'd have to sue the company, not the people. You don't sue Bill Gates if your computer comes to life and kills people. You sue Microsoft!

[freebeard]

Sven7 is being too modest.

Here, I'll do it:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-ii-24269.html

[SCNTN]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Sven7 is being too modest.

Here, I'll do it:

Nice! Wish I could draw like that! I just rely on Photoshop... an amateur to say the least. Here's a mock-up of the Sonoma skirts. Started on the driver's side plug last night. Picking up our first sheets of ABS on Friday. I'm stoked!

[sheepdog 44]

I'm sure the owners auto insurance would cover it with a waiver of liability. A wheel skirt is really safe, really light plastic, and if ejected from the car would only put a scratch in a car that hit it. Most likely it'll just be run over a couple of times.

The only thing to worry about is designing a mount that if it touched the tire (unlikely) would not puncture it. Our guys have been known to mount strips of metal. Though effective, a plastic mount with plastic screws would be safer.

I'd buy a pair of front wheel skirts for a 2000 Insight! You make the skirt, i'll design my own mount.