should i use 16 or 18 gauge sheetmetal to make some floor panels behind the seat and the floor of the trunk
my first thought was 16, but is that overkill or correct
18 gauge is plenty, it is thicker than the original factory floor. Factory uses thinner(20 ga IIRC) and gets strength by stamping it full of shapes and lines.
If you have the original floor braces (channels) and you can roll or form beads, 18 gauge is plenty. If you don't have the braces and/or you can't form the beads, you may want to go to 16 ga., but it will probably oil can on you every time you step on it.
I have the stock braces and either bought panels which had the beads or rolled the beads myself on my home made panels. The 18 ga. is plenty strong.
the front floor is going to be a kit from direct sheetmetal to go with the firewall
the pieces im talking about are behind the seat and the trunk
i was going to use 16 gauge but all the bead rollers say max 18 gauge
and thats what prompted the question
the stuff i make will be flat to raise the floor and will not have the many contours that the stock floor has
If you have the ability to roll beads into the parts it really helps with stiffness, and sound control(quiets drumming). You could also press beads in on a hydraulic press, with a couple of formed wood pieces with a groove and a piece of steel round stock attached to one piece to press the steel into the groove.
the direct sheet metal firewall and front floor just showed up :thumbup:
the firewall is 18 gauge and the floor seems to be inbetween 16 and 18 gauge
is there a 17?
this is using the little metal gauge that came with my miller welder
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