Aluminum Door Sills?

[SVXRide]

Gee, thanks Doug
-Bill (secretly saving the "inlaid burl walnut" version for his own SVX...)

[WestCoastSVX]

This is a great idea! In fact, I think it is so great that I was actually working on getting this done for myself with a machinist friend of mine. Problem was he was across the country from me and I couldn't get him a spare SVX sill.

So glad to see someone else is working on it!

I agree with the idea of replacing the whole piece. The OEM plastic piece is really faulty, if you ever have to remove it for any reason, you just as well buy a new piece to have on hand because you will be breaking at least half the clips removing the old one.

On top of that, maybe it is just me and my doors need adjusting, but as it is the panels are almost getting scuffed from opening and closing my doors. Add an extra piece on top of the sill and I doubt the doors would even move.

Rob, I find it ironic that you brought up the idea of an overlay piece since you are so totally against the idea of doing the same thing to the dash. I'm too lazy to quote, but I remember you saying something like, "If I'm going to have a carbon fiber dash, it needs to be replacement pieces so it is lighter, not just overlay pieces that add extra weight and defeat the purpose - that's rice!"

[Chicane]

There's a difference. I was talking about carbon fiber. The reason that CF is used in perfomance cars is because it's lighter. The idea of STICK ON CF is retarded, because the CF is adding weight. It's like adding a wing that looks fast, but it's actually slowing down your car. Same principle of stupidity.

As for the AL overlays, maybe you guys aren't understanding. It doesn't cover the WHOLE sill, it's more of just an accent piece.... and it doesn't look performance oriented, it looks classy. I'll see if I can dig up a pic somewhere of what I'm talking about.

- Rob

[Chicane]

Originally posted by SVXRide
Rob,
The reason I went the full replacement route is that the stock piece is really, really cheap in the attachment area.

Agreed, but how would these new ones attach??? Surely you couldn't machine the clips into the sill.... so it would involve attaching clips to the sill, which sounds more expensive, because it'd require a lot more machine work.

- Rob

I would think any industrial 2 sided tape would work.

[Chicane]

Originally posted by daluvabull
An overlay MIGHT be a less expensive option.

If the Maxima anniversary sills are inspected, one would notice the aluminum piece is overlayed on interior color matched plastic. If an overlay was used, we could use our current color-matched plastic sills as the foundation.

The SVX and line could be etched or tooled on a thin piece of brushed aluminum. Adhesive could be applied to secure the aluminum piece to clips or to the plastic sill. This would minimize the need for folds or welding. The edges could be rolled under, if that look is desired.

Agreed 100%. I'm pretty sure that's EXACTLY what I'm referring to. It doesn't cover the entire sill, more just in the middle. That way you still get the nice fit and design of the original sills, but with a classier look.

- Rob

[Chicane]

Originally posted by JLittell
I would think any industrial 2 sided tape would work.

Why not just use that on the plastic sills then? Right now I'm using velcro to keep the tail ends snug.

- Rob

But wouldn't an overlay interfere with the bottom of the door when the door closes? I don't know how much room would be in there.

Not velcro but duct tape!

[Chicane]

I don't see how it could interfere if it was made thin (which is the only way it would look good anyway).

- Rob

[ensteele]

John

Have you thought about using duct tape instead of the sill when it breaks. It comes in that great silver color too.

[NomadTW]

i think raw AL would look good
i would be in for a replacement if i had the money which i don't, stupid tranny,

how's this for an idea

a rectangle in the middle of it, raised from the rest of it, rounded on the ends, and sandblasted, with the svx logo in the middle masked from the sandblasting so it's shiny
it would add traction if needed and look good

[SVXRide]

Originally posted by Chicane


Agreed, but how would these new ones attach??? Surely you couldn't machine the clips into the sill.... so it would involve attaching clips to the sill, which sounds more expensive, because it'd require a lot more machine work.

- Rob

Rob,

Yep, machining wouldn't work from a cost standpoint. We're looking at welding on tabs so we can use the stock retainers. The double sided industrial tape might be a better option - assuming that it will stand up to environmental cycling...
-Bill

[WestCoastSVX]

Originally posted by JLittell
But wouldn't an overlay interfere with the bottom of the door when the door closes? I don't know how much room would be in there.

That's the concern I brought up too. Of course I said so many other things in my post that part might have been missed.

My doors might need adjusting, but already they kinda scuff on the sills. Even a cm more of material there and the doors would have major problems opening and closing.

[WestCoastSVX]

Originally posted by SVXRide


Rob,

Yep, machining wouldn't work from a cost standpoint. We're looking at welding on tabs so we can use the stock retainers. The double sided industrial tape might be a better option - assuming that it will stand up to environmental cycling...
-Bill

Hey Bill, if you guys think you can do the welding thing cost effective enough, don't give up on that! It would be cool to keep the stock aspect of the retainers, only of course this sounds more sturdy than the OEM ones. The tape would work, but seems like kinda a cheesy work around and would be a pain every time you have to remove them and put them back on (I'm thinkin' for the stereo guys, getting paint work done, etc.)

When my sill plate clips broke I re-attached the plate with some double sided 3M tape. That was over a year ago, still holding strong. A cheap, effective fix



Dave