Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts?

Tree Hugger · 02-13-2008, 04:02 PM

I've been searching for a little while now, and couldn't find an answer to my questions, so here goes.

1)Has anyone tried (sucessfully hopefully) to make their own Aero/racing hubcaps? I heard that the ideal design is smooth and slightly convex. Would just screwing a piece of flat, and very thin aluminum work as well or is the design imperative of the curved shape?
I really like the look of them, and am planning on making a set, but if they won't be effective, I think I may just splurge and buy a set.

2)Has anyone tried the similar with regards to a rear wheel skirt? I was thinking of maybe getting some really thin aluminum, some L-brackets, and some car paint to match my car, and fab up a set for the rear. Anyone try this, or have any experience or knowledge with skirts?

Thanks in advance!!
Steve

donee · 02-13-2008, 07:12 PM

Hi smwood...,

Check out my post at this link : http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-mo...rim-rings.html

Another approach is to by premade caps and screw them to the trim rings. Mike's Hub Caps is one source they say.

BTW, if you have seen a car with flat aero hubcaps around in Chicagoland, that was probably me. I added the flashing to my trim rings at the beginning of the year. They have gone through all that snow with no damage.

Bob64 · 02-13-2008, 08:05 PM

I'm thinking of just wrapping the outer portion of my trim ring with a piece of shrink-wrap-like material. Bam, blocks the air and dirt cheap.

Edit:
Actually, since my plastic wrap idea is such a great idea, I'm going to do that right now. Pictures after I borrow my friend's digital camera.

priusfreak · 02-14-2008, 03:54 AM

Will the wrapping be ribbed for her pleasure? Sorry just caught me the wrong way

Bob64 · 02-14-2008, 10:28 AM

It'll be smooth as silk stockings on the legs of your ideal female partner... to give the wind that extra smooth aerodynamic touch.

The only downside: the trim rings become a bitch to remove if you can't grab it from the inside due to the plastic getting in the way.

ken1784 · 02-14-2008, 11:45 AM

Are you looking for this kind of modification?
š ¼ƒI[ƒgƒ‰ƒ{/ƒJƒXƒ^ƒ€

Ken@Japan

TheForce · 02-14-2008, 12:13 PM

NICE! but the skirts don't flow well with the car. Google does a horible job at translating. Is the something offered in Japan?

**efusco** · 02-14-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheForce

NICE! but the skirts don't flow well with the car. Google does a horible job at translating. Is the something offered in Japan?

I don't like the look of those skirts at all...I want something that smoothly fits on the car and is more aerodynamic. Those look very amateur.

ken1784 · 02-14-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheForce

Is the something offered in Japan?

Yes!
It's 258,000 yen, more than US$2,000.

ƒJƒXƒ^ƒ€ƒJ[A’†ŒÃŽÔ‚Ì”Ì”„BƒI[ƒNƒVƒ‡ƒ“‚Å‚Ìw“ü‚àB‘åãuƒI[ƒgƒ‰ƒ{v/’†ŒÃŽÔ”Ì”„

Ken@japan

TheForce · 02-14-2008, 02:04 PM

WOW $2000 US? Plus shipping? And they look kind of ugly? Does it come with the rest of the addons? I think I will pass anyway.

02-13-2008, 04:02 PM	#1
Tree Hugger Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wauconda, IL, USA Posts: 78 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts? I've been searching for a little while now, and couldn't find an answer to my questions, so here goes. 1)Has anyone tried (sucessfully hopefully) to make their own Aero/racing hubcaps? I heard that the ideal design is smooth and slightly convex. Would just screwing a piece of flat, and very thin aluminum work as well or is the design imperative of the curved shape? I really like the look of them, and am planning on making a set, but if they won't be effective, I think I may just splurge and buy a set. 2)Has anyone tried the similar with regards to a rear wheel skirt? I was thinking of maybe getting some really thin aluminum, some L-brackets, and some car paint to match my car, and fab up a set for the rear. Anyone try this, or have any experience or knowledge with skirts? Thanks in advance!! Steve

02-13-2008, 07:12 PM	#2
donee Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,233 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 2 Thanked 54 Times in 47 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts? Hi smwood..., Check out my post at this link : http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-mo...rim-rings.html Another approach is to by premade caps and screw them to the trim rings. Mike's Hub Caps is one source they say. BTW, if you have seen a car with flat aero hubcaps around in Chicagoland, that was probably me. I added the flashing to my trim rings at the beginning of the year. They have gone through all that snow with no damage. Last edited by donee; 02-13-2008 at 07:16 PM.

02-13-2008, 08:05 PM	#3
Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,115 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts? I'm thinking of just wrapping the outer portion of my trim ring with a piece of shrink-wrap-like material. Bam, blocks the air and dirt cheap. Edit: Actually, since my plastic wrap idea is such a great idea, I'm going to do that right now. Pictures after I borrow my friend's digital camera. Last edited by Bob64; 02-13-2008 at 10:48 PM.

02-14-2008, 03:54 AM	#4
priusfreak Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NC Posts: 18 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts? Will the wrapping be ribbed for her pleasure? Sorry just caught me the wrong way

02-14-2008, 10:28 AM	#5
Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,115 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts? It'll be smooth as silk stockings on the legs of your ideal female partner... to give the wind that extra smooth aerodynamic touch. The only downside: the trim rings become a bitch to remove if you can't grab it from the inside due to the plastic getting in the way.

02-14-2008, 11:45 AM	#6
ken1784 SuperMID designer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yokohama, JAPAN Posts: 1,971 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: G Thanks: 10 Thanked 257 Times in 118 Posts Friends: 8	Re: Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts? Are you looking for this kind of modification? š ¼ƒI[ƒgƒ‰ƒ{/ƒJƒXƒ^ƒ€ Ken@Japan

02-14-2008, 12:13 PM	#7
TheForce I Plug-In My Prius Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wheelersburg, Ohio Posts: 2,703 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 1 Thanked 143 Times in 106 Posts Friends: 22	Re: Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts? NICE! but the skirts don't flow well with the car. Google does a horible job at translating. Is the something offered in Japan?

02-14-2008, 02:04 PM	#10
TheForce I Plug-In My Prius Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wheelersburg, Ohio Posts: 2,703 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 1 Thanked 143 Times in 106 Posts Friends: 22	Re: Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts? WOW $2000 US? Plus shipping? And they look kind of ugly? Does it come with the rest of the addons? I think I will pass anyway.