Aluminum parts - where to get em, used or aftermarket

[LukeZ]

Hey all, I did a quick search here on the forum and on Google. Didn't find much.

Other than finding a donor car (not an option, forget it lol), anyone know the best place to find aluminum parts? I know as far as wheels, intake, heads, etc, I could buy from any auto shop or store. Im talking about tailgates, hoods, bumpers (not bumper supports, I heard the stock steel ones are better for a daily because they give way for a small impact?), doors, driveshaft, full aluminum core support (I saw an aluminum tubular one. Not sure if that would be good for a daily either), etc.

Part two of this question lol; how to identify metals? Correct me if I'm wrong -> Steel is magnetic, stainless is not, and aluminum is so barely magnetic that it is negligible? I know there are outlier cases where in some cases steel wont be magnetic blah blah blah, just forget those. I'm talking in general. Thanks.

 

[lilbowtie]

My question is why you want all the aluminum parts for ?? Aluminum isn't magnetic.

 

[LukeZ]

My question is why you want all the aluminum parts for ?? Aluminum isn't magnetic.

Because its lighter than steel and heavier than fiberglass

 

[Texas82GP]

I don't think GM made that many aluminum parts for the El Camino. Maybe I'm wrong. I know some Cutlass's had aluminum hoods, core supports and bumper support braces but that's all I've ever heard of.

 

[565bbchevy]

The only things I have seen as far as lightweight parts for an El Camino are fiberglass hoods and bumpers and anything else in fiberglass will be race only parts and I doubt you will find anything in aluminum.

 

[LukeZ]

No aftermarket aluminum parts out there that anyone knows of?

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

I saw a factory aluminum core support for a g body on a Facebook for sale group awhile back. I think it was around $300. From what I understand factory aluminum parts on any g body were incredibly rare. Unfortunately all the stuff on my car is steel.

 

[565bbchevy]

By the time I blast the rust off my steel core support it will be as light as aluminum.

 

[LukeZ]

How bout aluminum steering shafts (are those even a thing??). Even though thered hardley be a real weight reduction. LOL

 

[Ribbedroof]

No aluminum parts (aside from rear brake drums, a few moldings, and possibly bumper mount plates, depending on year/option content) were factory-installed on El Caminos.