Work in Progress: DIY under panel..

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

Well, after looking at my Beatrush/Laile panel that I installed on my Fit, I decided to make one for the Insight. I got tired of those OEM panels while I was doing my oil change so here is what I did yesterday.

Getting the template done:

[IMG][/IMG]

Test fitting with 4 bolts and some trimming, here it is installed:
[IMG][/IMG]

Another view:
[IMG][/IMG]

Now comes the hard part, finding the aluminum sheeting to complete the project. My local Home Depot and Lowes do not have the sheet size I need, so I'm locating a local metal supply store.

Hopefully this will be done next weekend.

[Eli]

Awesome. I'm so doing this rather than buying the stock panels for #3.

Why not extend the tail a bit?

Heck, go all the way back! Run it down the exhaust tract, using the fasteners that are already there for the two rear side panels!

[kennysmith]

Nice, I'm missing all but one rear panel. I have some campaign signs I thought I'd use but haven't gotten to it. I've never seen what the front looked like. I don't have even the aluminum piece, but looks like I don't need it anyway. How hard will it be to change the oil?

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

Originally Posted by Eli

Awesome. I'm so doing this rather than buying the stock panels for #3.

Why not extend the tail a bit?

Heck, go all the way back! Run it down the exhaust tract, using the fasteners that are already there for the two rear side panels!

Eli, I was thinking about doing that also but let me find my materials first! I will extend the tail about an inch to maybe facilitate some bolt locations for the center section.

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

Originally Posted by kennysmith

Nice, I'm missing all but one rear panel. I have some campaign signs I thought I'd use but haven't gotten to it. I've never seen what the front looked like. I don't have even the aluminum piece, but looks like I don't need it anyway. How hard will it be to change the oil?

Kenny, you will need to remove 8 bolts to change the oil when I replace the entire lower panel. I replaced all my little plastic push pins with aluminum Honda bolts. I don't change my oil till 10k so it really doesn't bother me at all.

I'm going to assume your campaign signs are made from coroplast, those should be great for the rear panels but I would not try it for the front panel due to engine heat.

[kennysmith]

Yes, I have some coroplast. Good tip on the heat issue. I did not think there would be that much heat, but I suppose it might be pretty close to the cat. What are aluminum Honda bolts? Then you have to thread the holes?

[uhtrinity]

I replaced my under panels with a single 1/4" sheet of high density abs. It is pop riveted to the front aluminum piece (as shown in your picture) and runs back to the horizontal aluminum piece that sits near where the exhaust drops down. I used all 6 bolts as allowed by that piece, 2 of which just hold the aluminum piece and 4 through the plastic.

To remove I have to take out 2 end bolts on that aluminum piece in the back (by the exhaust drop) and the front aluminum piece. Actually it is easier and faster to remove than the stock setup.

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

Originally Posted by uhtrinity

I replaced my under panels with a single 1/4" sheet of high density abs. It is pop riveted to the front aluminum piece and runs back to the horizontal aluminum piece that sits near where the exhaust drops down. To remove I have to take out 2 bolts on that aluminum piece in the back (by the exhaust drop) and the front aluminum piece. Actually it is easier and faster to remove than the stock setup.

Post up some pics on this thread! I would love to see your setup!

[Eli]

I think a nice thin(relatively) sheet of aluminum would be lighter than plastic, but maybe not?

[uhtrinity]

The plastic doesn't really weigh that much and cost me about $20 last winter. I added a single picture, but it isn't very good. Not much room for taking pictures even with the car on a ramp