TheSamba.com :: View topic - What guage sheet metal for floor pan build

Sun May 18, 2008 4:25 am

What guage metal do you have on your floors? I do not have stock floor pans . I have 1X3 frame.The seats are bolted to 1x1-1/2 tubeing. Should I add patterns to help stiffen the metal.
also do they vibrate if so any sugestions on how to prevent this.
Street car only.

Sun May 18, 2008 5:42 am

I had a street rail that someone made a floor from 18 gauge. There was enouph attachment points that it didn't need creases for stiffness.

I decided to make it a sandrail and ditch the weight. I couldn't believe how heavy that floor was. It was pop rivited every 2 inches and caulked and rolled and insulated here and there. I couldn't lift it by myself. It hid a lot of rust where water got trapped.

Have you considered welding in some diamond mesh screening and zip tying some rubber matt's down? It would be a lot quieter and let all the dirt and stuff fall threw. I know it wounds crazy for a street car but it would be a lot lighter and quieter than a peace of tin. Even if you use rubber gromets as spacers or some other insualater you will probably have issues over time.

My new Barrien kit (frame, floor and body) does make more noise when rock's hit it..... which is seldom.

I really don't think dirt and dust coming up from the road would be and issue. Driving in the rain might get you wet but who drives a kit car in the rain unless they have no other choice? Not me

Enjoy your choice. Just giving some thoughts

Sun May 18, 2008 8:14 am

EZ, After thinking about your mesh idea vs. 18 ga sheet, It struck me that the rubber mats over the mesh would end up just as heavy as the sheet. 18ga is .047" thick and 2 lb. per square foot. Not being able to lift a pan made of 18 ga. leads me to think you might need a work-out session or two. :wink:

Sun May 18, 2008 8:45 am

so is 18ga what is prefered. I want to be able to paint a design on the floor under the car.( Show Car ).

Sun May 18, 2008 9:28 am

It all depends on how far that steel will span without support. Push on the side of your stove where it's flat. Kind of springy? Push on the front where the window is. Same thickness of steel, it just has more bends and less open unsupported area. All those crinkles and creases in car bodies aren't just for looks. They stamp them in there to help the car maintain it's shape driving along in a 60mph wind.

Sun May 18, 2008 1:53 pm

I'd have the floors bead rolled as it adds a lot of rigidity without adding weight.

Sun May 18, 2008 2:47 pm

what guage is most common to have bead rolled. is 18ga to thick. Please help me out on this I will be going to the metal shop Monday.
The longest span is 17" wide and 27" long. I will be welding the floor to the seat braces, along the tunnel and to the 1x3 box frame .

Sun May 18, 2008 5:17 pm

Those are small panels.
The one I had was from the rear torsion and up to the front beam. Side to side with a bunch of caulk and undercoating....... I'll arm wrestel you for a brewski. LOL

The rubber mats can be as thick or thin as you like. If you decide to go do some offroading all the dirt falls threw just like on my sandrail.

Must be nice to have access to a metal shop and tools. I'm sure you will come up with something nice.

Take care
ezgz

Sun May 18, 2008 6:37 pm

EZ, I like brewski's! I'll meet 'ya outside of Grand Island and we'll have it out!!! :shock:

Sun May 18, 2008 8:20 pm

I used 10ga for mine. You can jump up and down on them
and they don't move. 8)

Sun May 18, 2008 10:09 pm

Im going to use 1/8 aluminum on my tube frame I was going to use 18 gauge stainless but it was 3 times the price as the aluminum. I use 18 guage in all my other toys when I cant find a hood big enough to make patch pannles from . I would roll a few beads across it to help stiffen it up and if you are goin to have it in a show car your probably going to be dynomating it or somthing any way to help with the sterio sound so noise should not be an issue.

Mon May 19, 2008 6:10 am

3/16 Aluminum diamondplate has NO flex. Underside was smooth.

Mon May 19, 2008 7:01 am

I'm running 16ga for the drop sections in my pans. 4" drops so my head will clear under the roof!
JiI