[bwright]

I'm stripping everything out (dash, door panels, headliner, etc.) of the interior of my 88 S10. I plan on making a sheetmetal dash and door panels. The truck will very rarely be street driven.

Question is, would I have any problems using HVAC sheet metal duct to make the dash and panels? Duct metal is very lightweight, I can get it cheap (maybe free), and it's easy to form/bend by hand. Obviously function is more important than form.

 

[EyePoppin]

It will work but remember if it is very easy to bend by hand...it will be easy to bend with feet I.E getting in and out of ure truck....girl gets pissed and puts her foot through the dash....it will work, but it would prolly be easier to use 20 gauge or something like that.

 

[Got_20s]

Painting duct work isn't the best either. The paint doesn't adhere well to the galzanized metal. It'll scratch very easily.

 

[bwright]

Painting duct work isn't the best either. The paint doesn't adhere well to the galzanized metal. It'll scratch very easily.

Good point, but I probably won't paint it anyhow.

 

[EyePoppin]

I think that it would work better in ure advantage if u used 20 / 22 gauge...u can get it in a sheet metal break...can paint or whatever u want...its ure dash tho...

 

[stuntjester1]

yea im planning on doing to my 95, going to use a sheet metal break and 20 gauge probly

 

[barhole]

your best best is to use sheet steel or aluminum, but the steel might be more durable (my engineering experience). Whatever you chose the best place to get it if you can't find material locally is www.mcmastercarr.com

They'll hook your right up

 

[EyePoppin]

Oooooooooooo I never thought about Aluminum........

 

[barhole]

Just my 2 cents, but most likely what you would want to do is mock it up with cardbaord before you begin cutting and shaping. -Always worked for me rather well.