I just bought a 72 fj40. I know as the years went by the sheet metal got thinner and thinner. What gauge should I look for to match the original? I know most aftermarket replacement panels are 18 gauge-seems kinda thin.
Sheet metal thickness
- Thread starter White Stripe
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
rkymtnflyfisher
Trout Bum
16 gauge
brian
SILVER Star
ccot is 16ga im pretty sure.
- Thread starter
- #4
Cool thanks
anyone know the modern LC/LX sheet metal gauge? 200 series, 100 series?
Most modern vehicles are 26 ga., or so I have heard. Modern forming techniques can make thinner metals work ok (until it hails...).
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
Not having any flat surfaces has helped. Not sure you find any surface on a modern vehicle that is perfectly flat.
If 72 was 16 gauge was with the 71 and earlier? 72 was the first change and 79 the second and final change.
If 72 was 16 gauge was with the 71 and earlier? 72 was the first change and 79 the second and final change.
- Thread starter
- #9
I think their was a change in 75 wasn't their? Seems like pre 75s rust much less than 76up. 79up rusts like crazy. The 40s with the dash ridges in the early 60s seem to rust even less so maybe their metal is even thicker?
i don’t think it’s the thickness that changed rust characteristics. i was under the impression it was just quality of steel that was used. 16 gauge is what i’ve read for at least early 70s and up
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
Not sure if tub thickness changed but the difference in the spare tire carriers between 71 and 72 shows how stamping a few ribs in the main plate how much thinner metal could be used. 72 was also the first year of the one piece hood. Louvers were on both sides and stamped in cowl verses a extra piece that held on with screws.
You may be correct on this. New cars I can just push in a dent ?
After the gas crisis in mid 70's, Toyota did two things , make steel thinner AND use recycled steel as was the craze. So, most 1975 and up probable is recycled steel, which in the early days of recycling, had a lot of impurities in it. This then caused steel to rust much quicker than early models.
