What gauge sheet metal for tub?

[Kent]

Got the quarter panels welded up with the top lip and time to make the rear tub. The panels I used are 10 gauge, heavy stuff. I planned to use the same for the tub but I'm wondering if it will be too heavy. I have 4 linked the rear and I'm not sure the coil springs will be able to handle the weight of the finished product (roll cage, spare tire, tools misc junk). The springs are out of a heap (TJ maybe).

Should I use the 10 gauge or is 12 or 14 gauge more commonly used. The thinner stuff would save me some weight.

This is a 76' so I think the rest of the sheet metal is 16 gauge?

 

[Dieseler]

10 gauge are you building a armoured cruiser.18 -16 is the norm

 

[Mike Shull]

You might want four coils under the rear once you are done...
The quarter pannel looks great!..did you build it from scratch?

I'd stick with 14-16 gauge....or lighter

 

[rusmannx]

i'd be interested in more pics of how you made that panel. very cool.

 

[rabid]

it will not be too heavy, but that depends on what you want with the truck. When my truck was reskinned (the second time) it was done in 3/16th's. Tight trails around here means that without armor, you will mangle the tub. Now the tub is pretty much bombproof. I reskinned it the first time in 16 gauge, and in 4 years of year round northeast driving, it was junk again.

Do a search on poor wally's on here, lots of info. He does tubs in VT with 3/16ths.

Also- are you running a soft top or hard top? My tub with a soft top is about 100 lbs heavier that a stock tub with hardtop. Not too bad.

Nice work on that quarter. Looks great.

 

[Kent]

Thanks for the compliments. I cut the top rail off the old tub at the seam. The rail was in very good shape while the tub was junk.

The quarters came from Twisted Customs, the local shop. I think they had them rolled by a shop in North Dakota. My micrometer says they are 10 gauge.

Stripped the paint and clamped it all down to the table and started stitching it together. I burned it in hot on the inside with the outer side flat against the table. This made for a really nice seam on the outside. I ran a small bead down the outside seam to fill it in. After grinding there is no visible seam.

I wish I had taken pics before I put that last small bead on the outside.

Planning on softtop only so maybe weight won't be a big issue.

Yes I am building an armored cruiser. Our trails are tight and very rocky. I'm hoping to build something that will require Krylon only for rock repair. I don't want to have to smash panels back in shape with a hammer or constantly replace beat up sheetmetal.

More pics....

 

[Dieseler]

I see you are fabbing in coils,can you continue this thread with more pics of the suspension and describe the coil installation ,I haven't seen coils done before.

 

[Michael Hanson]

EXCELLENT WORK! Mike

 

[Kent]

I can take more pics of the 4 link. I should have done an official build thread to document the process. I do have pics from along the build so maybe I will start one someday....

Kent

 

[Mike Shull]

I can take more pics of the 4 link. I should have done an official build thread to document the process. I do have pics from along the build so maybe I will start one someday....

Kent

That's ok...pics here and there are cool also...I'd put a build album on your profile page also. Good work!