A Race Car Without Rivets

[VA RACERS]

Installing the decking and body on our new car without rivets! Should be stronger,lighter and cleaner when completed. Pictures will be posted shortly!

[bizkit]

cool, can't wait to see it..

[billetbirdcage]

GRT did that about 8 or 9 years ago with the sides. They used the 3M tape that is used to glue the aluminum together on some trailers and haulers. If that is what you used, good luck getting it apart if you need to replace a panel!!

When done right, that is a some B$tch to get off, I know replaced the side of my trailer. The only way you could get it off was to heat it with a torch when the tape was and pull make mad. Took all day to get 14 sheets off and then scrape off the tape from the metal. Had to use a scraper and heat it with a torch and scrape until the scaper cooled off some then repeat, definently not any fun.

[bizkit]

we make some good shizzle at 3M *GRIN*

[JHobbs26]

how well do rivet nuts hold up? I was thinking about using these for the right side door but didnt know how well the nuts gripped the sheetmetal

FYI, this is what I'm talking about:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1210

[sobe92]

jimmy we use those nut zerts on our car for the front fenders and a few other places. they hold up well til you wreck. or until a dimwit crossthreads them. on the right side plastic we use body clips off a street car they work like a charm.

[2dumb2kwit]

I love nut-serts. I like the steel ones from northern.(made by surebonder) All I've seen at harbor, are alum. The alum ones crossthread to easy, for me.
I've had nutserts rip out pieces of sheet metal, and not come loose! ( not that I've ever torn up any sheet metal) Check out this thread www.dirtracingforum.com/showthread.php?t=802

[FlatTire]

I tried some 3m adhesive one time but after my oil tank breather decided to go "exxon valdeez" all over the back of the car it didn't stick too well anymore.

But I got to say Bizkit that is still some good stuff. We used it on trucks we build at my work and I built a box on a trailer with the stuff.

[LFT]

I love nut-serts. I like the steel ones from northern.(made by surebonder) All I've seen at harbor, are alum. The alum ones crossthread to easy, for me.
I've had nutserts rip out pieces of sheet metal, and not come loose! ( not that I've ever torn up any sheet metal) Check out this thread www.dirtracingforum.com/showthread.php?t=802 (http://www.dirtracingforum.com/showthread.php?t=802)

2dumb2kwit, Where do you use the nut-serts? Do you use them for the doors? Would it be possible to see a picture of them being used?Thanks!

[jr18]

"POP" the same people that sell the pop rivets also have the inserts. Where I work we had the sale man come and show us what he had. I was looking at them to fasten some of are sheet metal parts together.

I used 1/4 20 Nut and bolt on this year car. If I can't find anything better I will go back the poprivet. I did notice that the chassis builder that I go to was using a small nut insert. I can get his # if you like.

[sobe92]

i have held doors on the modified before with a nut zert. like he said usually if they don't cross thread em they last until it rips the sheetmetal out. the other problem is over time they loosen and then spin so you have to hold it with plyers. so we try to keep them in reachable area's and try to not use the battery powered impact on em too much.

[2dumb2kwit]

I can't think of a picture, that would really show you anything. I use them for the fenders, and nose, but I have friends that have the fenders and the whole right side of the car held on with them.

[zeroracing]

I use nut inserts from Fastenal on both doors and quarters. I have a row of them across the top just like a row of pop rivets. We use a bolt with a flathead screw head. Then just walk down it with the screwdriver. I do the bottom with lexan strips that are hooked to the frame with a pin. It takes about 2-3 min to take a side off the car. Makes cleaning a breeze.

[jr18]

do you have a pic? and what is laxan strips? Any thing that makes cleaning easyer, I'm in for it.


I use nut inserts from Fastenal on both doors and quarters. I have a row of them across the top just like a row of pop rivets. We use a bolt with a flathead screw head. Then just walk down it with the screwdriver. I do the bottom with lexan strips that are hooked to the frame with a pin. It takes about 2-3 min to take a side off the car. Makes cleaning a breeze.

[FlatTire]

Lexan strips are used in place of aluminum or spring steel to secure the door/quarter panels. Same lexan that spoilers are built out of just cut into strips.

[jr18]

I would say they are lighter to, right
I have used plastic strips for the nose so that when you put the nose into someones left or right quarter panel it will pop out. I have never thought about useing lexan. Do you use lexan all over for the body strips? My car is kind of on the heavy side and this could gain me a few Lbs.

Thanks

[zeroracing]

I use it all the way around the bottom of the car to brace out the body. It is very light weight and works great. I dont have any pics but will look to see if I can dig some up.

[pinionangle]

years ago we messed with the lexan and while it works it also breaks. Since spring steel became the norm we havent messed with the lexan.

[zeroracing]

Been running about 4 inch side strips for 4 years now and broke about 3 total. They broke in larger crashes and it was just the tip area that broke. This is in both mods and lates. I seen guys try to use plexiglass it will shatter very easy.
I like the lexan because it has alot more flex than spring steel, spring steel supported cars seem to have alot more tire tub damage and body damage than we have had. Compairing our car to friends that run spring steel.

[LFT]

Can you use the Harbor Freight insert tool with the Surebonder inserts?

Thanks!

[2dumb2kwit]

Yes sir ree bob!

[Ridin Dirty]

I tried some 3m adhesive one time but after my oil tank breather decided to go "exxon valdeez" all over the back of the car it didn't stick too well anymore.

But I got to say Bizkit that is still some good stuff. We used it on trucks we build at my work and I built a box on a trailer with the stuff.

where can you get the 3M tape. What is the part#? I and wanting to build a hood scoop and dont want all the riviets showing.
Thanks

[LFT]

Yes sir ree bob!

Uhmm, my name isn't bob.:D

You sound like you know that from experience.

[2dumb2kwit]

Uhmm, my name isn't bob.:D

You sound like you know that from experience.
Been using that combo for a few years now.

[LFT]

Cool... thanks!

[JHobbs26]

Installing the decking and body on our new car without rivets! Should be stronger,lighter and cleaner when completed. Pictures will be posted shortly!

2 1/2 months, still waiting for the pictures :-D

[shocker33]

been using nut zerts for 4 or 5 years now on the right side of the body. Even went as far as "liberating" an air powered nut zert shrinker (very very pricey).....

[VA RACERS]

2 1/2 months, still waiting for the pictures :-D


Was asked not to post. We be in a "dirt" magazine coming up!:-)