Aluminum Interior Panels

Hazmat Ranger · Jul 30, 2008

Has anyone built a custom interior by forming aluminum into panels, like a pro-street car?

I am wanting to do this with my new project (a 240sx) and was just curious what all it involves other than measuring, cutting, fitting, cutting a little more, starting over (cut too much) LOL.

Also what forming tools are required or can I use some basic hand tools or homemade forming tools?

Thanks

rockin86ranger · Jul 31, 2008

i would say abou the only things you would need is some snips a grinder for the edges and i would personally roll some beads on it but you don't have to.and maybe something you could use to make some bends like your house door but i don't know what your interior looks like and how rounded it is but it shouldn't be hard their shouldn't be any compound curves or anything just straight angles (maybe).

just my opinion

oh and lots of cardboard

Sunk · Aug 1, 2008

A friend of mine used street signs for the door panels and glovebox door in his VW Baja.

No I don't think they were stolen.

sloue · Aug 2, 2008

the hoods from newer ford trucks i went to a body shop and they gave me one they cant fix them they replace them. i did my dash and kick panal on my doors i would shoe u pics but i cant get it figered i am not allowed attachments. i used a skill saw grinder snips and lots of files

Hazmat Ranger · Aug 2, 2008

Sunk said:
A friend of mine used street signs for the door panels and glovebox door in his VW Baja.

No I don't think they were stolen.

sloue said:
the hoods from newer ford trucks i went to a body shop and they gave me one they cant fix them they replace them. i did my dash and kick panal on my doors i would shoe u pics but i cant get it figered i am not allowed attachments. i used a skill saw grinder snips and lots of files

Thanks for the tips, I need to get some sheet cardboard first so I can mock everything up and then use the pieces as templates. It may be a while before I can start some major work on it as I will be traveling alot this month for work . . . :c-n:

red85 · Aug 3, 2008

I did this in my truck before I made my new dash.

Hazmat Ranger · Aug 3, 2008

Looks good red85, however my interior will be like a pro-street drag car with the all metal interior. Another difference is that the interior is in a Nissan 240SX. I am just trying to get more information (research) before I start.
I got plans and will be building my own metal brake to bend the sheets.

Thanks for the pic though - what does your new dash look like?

red85 · Aug 3, 2008

Hazmat Ranger said:
Looks good red85, however my interior will be like a pro-street drag car with the all metal interior. Another difference is that the interior is in a Nissan 240SX. I am just trying to get more information (research) before I start.
I got plans and will be building my own metal brake to bend the sheets.

Thanks for the pic though - what does your new dash look like?

It's like this now. I moved the gauges that were on top of the dash to a pod under the dash.

Hazmat Ranger · Aug 3, 2008

Looks good, is that a wooden dash or an overlay on metal? I like that. Too bad my 95 dash can't be modded like that.

sloue · Aug 4, 2008

this what i ended up with

red85 · Aug 4, 2008

That's a piece of Ikea laminate flooring. I have changed that piece out for one that fits much more closely. I made a template out of a piece of bristol board and laid out my gauges. I considered doing a sheet metal dash too, but I've had other vehicles with them and the sun sometimes gives glare off of them.

Hazmat Ranger · Aug 4, 2008

Good work, I like those. Never would have thought of using flooring, but now that you mention it, it is strong and thin enough. I actually have some old pieces laying around from when I put ours in.

Hmmmmm - damn it now I have other options to consider - LOL.

Aluminum Interior Panels

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