1 Topic by ICAustinMiniMan (edited by ICAustinMiniMan 2015-03-30 02:51 PM)

  • Registered: 2013-07-22
  • Posts: 208

Topic: So, what car parts/other flotsam have y'all creatively repurposed?

Working on cars generates a lot of scrap and spare parts. And of course, none of y'all ever throw any of it out. What pieces have found new life? We have a corner of our yard where all the spares get tossed. When I need to solve a problem, I just dig until I find something to use.

There's the obvious "using old rims as hose reels", as well as using old springs to hold lug wrenches and such.

The two most notable I've done are making a monitor mount for the shop PC out of two BMW e39 hood hinges (they were tweaked after the hood flew off) and making a swivel/locking seat mount for the ICBM(Idle Clatter Bus Mobile) out of the lunched lower control arm from the Toyocedes.

What's on your list?

http://i.imgur.com/Mjtg8tj.jpg
This meant I had a spare but bent control arm/hub.

http://i.imgur.com/sRCopEP.jpg
So this happened. It swivels and locks using a spring/pin which slots into the lug bolt holes.

http://i.imgur.com/MdtqfAL.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ylQA9Cd.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/yrQjwJV.jpg

Idle Clatter Racing: 1979 Mercedes 300SD Delivery Spaceship,  "Not all ideas are good."
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  • Registered: 2011-02-22
  • Posts: 934

Re: So, what car parts/other flotsam have y'all creatively repurposed?

here's a semi wheel for the grinder base and a semi truck 24v alternator with a brass water wheel that we use to power the house from the creek...it makes 400watts  24/7 that, in turn, goes into 4 L16s which supplies a 4K inverter. No city power here.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7599/16795565888_e3ed574868.jpgP3300501

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7609/16957345986_c7166cd4c9.jpgP3300502

  • Registered: 2013-07-22
  • Posts: 208

Re: So, what car parts/other flotsam have y'all creatively repurposed?

That water wheel is really interesting... you just put that wheel on instead of a pulley and lowered it into the creek? I'm surprised how small that wheel is. I'd love to see more photos/details of that system.

Idle Clatter Racing: 1979 Mercedes 300SD Delivery Spaceship,  "Not all ideas are good."
Fall 2013 CMP I.O.E.
Shine Country Classic 2014 and Southern Discomfort: Showed Up; Didn't Blowed Up
Humidi TT: DOMINATION. Barber 2015: "Least Southern Pickup Truck"
  • Registered: 2013-08-12
  • Posts: 563

Re: So, what car parts/other flotsam have y'all creatively repurposed?

Paddock couch.

http://i.imgur.com/X5eFT2a.jpg

5 Reply by rodknox2 (edited by rodknox2 2015-03-30 07:13 PM)

  • Registered: 2011-02-22
  • Posts: 934

Re: So, what car parts/other flotsam have y'all creatively repurposed?

I wish it was that easy...just putting the wheel in the creek.  That's a 5" wheel and it is capable of producing 1500w.  But that requires lots of pressure and gpm using four nozzles.  The pics below are the upgrade from my old school backyard truck alternator.  That's a permanent magnet, brushless motor in a cast aluminum housing.  I'm using 1300' of 3" pvc dropping 100'.  The connecting hose from the pvc to the housing is 1" heater. Another repurpose. 


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8708/16797026758_d07cd6aa74.jpgP3300505

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8738/16798562899_1f0416fd23.jpgP3300507 by

  • m610
  • m610
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  • From: Esparto, CA
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Re: So, what car parts/other flotsam have y'all creatively repurposed?

Wedding gifts.

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/p480x480/334156_496863656994463_1359710860_o.jpg

Momentum is a terrible thing to waste.
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  • From: Auburn, NorCal
  • Registered: 2013-04-13
  • Posts: 247

Re: So, what car parts/other flotsam have y'all creatively repurposed?

^^ Mike, that is just so wonderful.^^

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Re: So, what car parts/other flotsam have y'all creatively repurposed?

I've started making "furniture" out of old parts.

This is the crankshaft out of the first daytona engine. The crank/block were retired so it got a new use. (the 4 bolts on the base have since been trimmed)
https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/300613_695432191442_870557181_n.jpg?oh=4613d6757ba2c0b3483031793974b2c3&oe=559D2FA0

I made these two lamps out of old 70's motorcycle parts. One for my brother, one for a friend.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1NlTN6yj9Q0/VJSN5Gq52sI/AAAAAAAAMx4/qN0-cWIm-tc/w1148-h646-no/IMG_20141219_154200%3Anopm%3A.jpg


I want to make a V8/V10/V12 engine block coffee table. Just haven't found a block yet.

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  • From: Portlandia
  • Registered: 2014-08-08
  • Posts: 1,035

Re: So, what car parts/other flotsam have y'all creatively repurposed?

Friend's dad made this for their house, I think there is some VW parts used.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20708720/grasshopper_mailbox.jpg

Thing is over 4' tall.

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  • From: Hayward, CA
  • Registered: 2010-03-23
  • Posts: 1,762

Re: So, what car parts/other flotsam have y'all creatively repurposed?

4 rims = 2 jack stands. Just like the pick n pulls. Weld a rim standing up on one laying down.

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?Everyone who has ever built anywhere a 'new heaven' first found the power thereto in his own hell- Frederick Nietzsche