How do you determine the gauge of sheetmetal?

[cdv3286]

Ok...instead of just asking what gauge sheet metal the quarter panels....I will ask... can anyone tell me how to tell what gauge the metal is by measuring the thickness? I have a micrometer but what is the thickness to gauge ratio?

Oh...and if you are feeling generous...feel free to just tell me the gauge of the rear quarter panels of a 72 40.

Thanks!

 

[Bret]

Sheet Metal Thickness Gauges

Will tell what the ratio is, as far as what is stock I'm sorry I can't help you there.

 

[Degnol]

I think it is pretty close to 16ga, or whatever the metric equivalent is. I bekieve that holds true until model year '79 when they went to thinner metal.

Ed

 

[shelfboy1]

i make all my replacment parts out of 14 gauge its about a 1/16th thick forms good welds solid. due to the salt around here lasts longer .i think a toyota ad i read once said heavy duty 16 gauge steel body that was in the 70s .i use a steel called aluminized it forms good and bodies i made 25 years ago still have no rust .however i have to use a bead roller so panels are stronger they dont look quite the same but for me and customers that drive their trucks thats a small price to pay not to do it again good luck

 

[Gusb]

Chart

Considerable variation in the use of gages.
Considerable variation in sheet metal products.

Use your micrometer.

See attached chart.