Im getting ready to build the bed for my 41 chevy, and was wondering what gauge sheet metal you guys think is more suited for the build? Not going to be hauling stuff in it, but dont want to have to brace the crap out of it either. Any info would be great.
If you have stiffing features in it 18 other wise I''d go with 16ga. Features = beads ,flanges etc. 16ga is tuff to bead roll.
I was more worried about height of seating, seat belt mounting, body mounts tearing through (God forbid a collision). It was easier to lay the plate on the garage floor shimmed up, weld the body to it, and bolt the plate floor on rubber biscuits directly to the chassis. I plan on welding a roll bar directly to the floor also. I saw pics of a fiberglass bucket flop the whole cab onto the engine with the driver attached in an in-town intersection collision. I don't want that.
No beads, or short flanges. Just a brake at the top of course, and was thinking of welding some 1 1/2 exhaust tubing to the top for the bed rails.
Yeah, I can see your reasoning. My buddy has one with a wooden floor ang those rubber plug style mounts, with a blown small block in it. Scares the crap out of me when I ride with him. Not much protection at all!
18 ga will work if you form a 45 degree bend down the entire length every 1 or 2 inches to add stiffness. I have also seen a bed that was perfectly flat on top but had a secondary sheet beneath in formed every inch. Scott Fab Manager Welders360.com
18 ga with no beads. I made drawings off of an original and had a sheet metal shop bend up the pieces using a product called "paint lock" that was available 30 years ago for sheet metal parts that would be painted. I don't know if it is still available. The metal was pretreated.
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