Running boards
 

Any ideas for DIY running boards?
I dont want them to look stock, and the carbon fiber look is not for me.
Something like those on the featured Jeffrey`s racer.
Justin

I would just FG a Rocker up and Mold it into your fenders that's what I"m planning on do :)
or if you want6 Metal then just make up a temp let and take it to a Sheet Metal Fab shop a and get them to make both sides they got the big press's and cutters.

Chris

an easy way, that will allow you to make unique shapes is using a "special" mat.
Ive seen it being used to make kick panels for sound systems on cars.

I got Haynes ICE book (dont remember the exact title) and what they do is make a base, supports and another ring at the end of the supports, so you have the structrure with no skin. Then you place the mat, stretch and nail it to the base support, and then get the FG resins on top.

This mat looks more like a mope instead of proper FG mat, thats why it can be stretched...

The only prob would be a suitable place to get the mat. You could mount it somehow on the fenders and mounting face (heater channel) and then put some ribs to give it the shape u want. then i would put some proper FG fibres and resins to strengthen it around the egdes. Remember that the final product will be a bout as thick as the kitchen sink mope...

Hope i helped and gave some creative ideas...

Chris

Cedar.

No, I am not kidding. I don't know what your car looks like but cedar running boards wouldn't be too heavy, could handle the weather well, and would be anti-c/f.

And you did say DIY. ;)

Not for sure what its called but i think it is diamond plate. The stuff used on truck toolboxes. You can buy it in sheets i dont think it is too exspensive either.

I really meant the design, not the material.
Anybody got pics or links of different one off "race-style" running boards to get ideas. Thats what I`m after...
I think I`ll use sheet metal and make a pair of something like those in that Jeffrey`s racer.
J.

Another thing about the meaning of DIY.
It doesnt always mean the need of a cheaper solution. To me an unique piece of handmade part in a custom car is far more cooler than most off-the-shelve items. If you just buy and bolt-on parts to your car then its just duplicating something that has been done by others...Use your hands and head and then you can say that you "built" the car. Right?
J.

you get anywhere with these? i want something like your on about too but all i see are carbon stock shape ones.

Though I'm more the CF-type, I toyed with the idea of making a set out of 3/4" round and square tubing . I was going to bend the round tube to the contour I wanted front-to-rear, "blind" mounting it to the fenders from the underside using cap screws thru the stock holes and nuts welded inside the ends of the tubing. The square tubing would be cut and shaped to fill the running board pocket along the rocker panel, again using the stock holes to mount it to the body. Two or three pieces of flat stock (1/2" or so) would be welded from the inside of the round tubing and outside of the square tubing (see below) , tying the two sections of tubing together and allowing me to attach a variery of inserts such as polished stainless, brushed aluminum, CF, or plexiglass to fill the gap and change the overall look...

O----[ ] CAR BODY [ ]----O

Hi

I will need make custom running boards for my new car. Our local aluminium supplier has extrusions that are used for outdoor seating which look like they might be suitable. I was thinking of getting my sheet metal guy to just fold me something up with a radius on the edge.

Steve

http://www.capral.com.au/testimage/Seating_pic1.jpg

Steve, extruded ali will crack when you try and bend it. (don't ask how I know :rolleyes: ) It is a much higher tensile strength than "sheet" ali due to "extrusion" process. It might work if you anneal it first.

Hi

When I posted I thought what I wrote made sense, re reading it, it dosent, sorry for the confusion. The ally extrusions would have the correct shape already, no folding at all. I was going to get my sheet metal guy to fold me up something to do the job in thin gauge steel.

The PO of my car filled in the running board mounting area to make the body stiffer, see photo, thats why I need custom running boards.

Steve

http://www.clubvw.org.au/images/JP_o...lverdale.1.jpg

Personally i just keep the originals for now, the chrome strip is still in the blue nylon protection, and its a close match to the body colour...:p

at a later stage i would like to make a body kit type of thing, completely bolt-on with emphasis on aerodynamics, and there the running boards/ side skirts will have a more meaningful role. the overall idea will be based on a kremer k3, but with the proportions corrected. also check for dtm cars, they are using a running board/ side skirt combo to aid airflow according to their needs. i believe there is something to gain there...

Chris

hmmm dtm, good point, i'll see what they are doing, will prob make em out of sheet steel or aliminium sheet. right doing google image search now:)

sonic my 72 super has checkerplate running boards
altho the drivers one is abit bent now :lmao:
i think theyre bloody ugly

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...0.jpg~original