09-04-2017, 06:12 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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Underbody Materials
Looking at making a flat underbody and am looking for suggestions of material types.
Do they make 4x8 sheets of ABS plastic in 1/8 or something? Do i run risk of it melting around the exhaust/radiator?
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09-04-2017, 06:32 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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I've had corrugated plastic under mine for a few years now. The exhaust curled back the plastic where it was touching near the engine, but was cool enough toward the rear that the plastic remained unharmed. It seems to have survived pretty well - there's discoloration, but no holes from rocks or anything.
What it was like new:
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09-04-2017, 08:48 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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T-100 Road Warrior
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Coroplast works well and is pretty inexpensive and forgiving. I started out with Coroplast (free from the elections) and have since moved on to aluminum diamond plate. 
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09-04-2017, 08:50 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Coroplast is also extremely lightweight.  |
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09-04-2017, 10:41 PM
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How did you guys choose to mount them? What kind of fastners? Did you drill some holes in the frame and stick some rivnuts in there?
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09-04-2017, 11:07 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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I was lucky that my car already has fastener holes. I removed the very basic factory undertray and attached the coroplast using the factory bolt holes.
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09-05-2017, 02:45 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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It's all about Diesel
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hispanicpanic
Do they make 4x8 sheets of ABS plastic in 1/8 or something? Do i run risk of it melting around the exhaust/radiator?
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If you feel uncomfortable with that, maybe could try some of those thermal insulating wrap-around materials that some folks use in the exhaust of their cars. But anyway, why not consider plywood since it's already used for underbody protection in racing applications? |
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09-05-2017, 08:35 AM
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#8 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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I'd lean towards coroplast since it's more leightweight than plywood. But other than that, plywood works too, I think
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09-05-2017, 12:12 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Wood rots, coroplast sags.
Polymetal is polypropylene plastic skinned in aluminum. Typically 3mm thick with .007" skins, but it's available one-sided and Grimco MaxMetal is avaiable with .014" skins. It comes in 5x10ft and 4x12 sheets. Stiff as 5/8" plywood at 1/10th the weight.
Yes it is expensive; but it's fit for purpose. |
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09-05-2017, 01:05 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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T-100 Road Warrior
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hispanicpanic
How did you guys choose to mount them? What kind of fastners? Did you drill some holes in the frame and stick some rivnuts in there?
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I made a crossbeam setup so I wouldn't have to drill the frame or body fer fasteners or support. It also makes it easier fer me to take off seperate panels instead of the entire belly pan when it comes to maintenance.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...pan-22621.html
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