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Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:40 pm

What thickness of aluminum sheet do you guys use for the top of a sand rail? I need to install one but wanted to here from you guys before I buy the aluminum.

Steve

Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:59 pm

.060 works well for a roof. i would suggest bead rolling it though to add some rigidity to it plus it adds that bling factor haha. if you are looking for something thicker .100 will work too but that is usually used for floor pans and most side panels and roofs are made from .060

Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:17 pm

I have .100 for the roof and the floor. nice and thick, it molds well too.

Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:24 pm

Great, thanks for the info that will help a lot.

Steve

Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:19 pm

I would suggest using some double sided foam tape under the aluminum. These things will still vibrate and rattle even when you think they are fastened down well. :D

Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:31 pm

buggy fan01 wrote: I would suggest using some double sided foam tape under the aluminum. These things will still vibrate and rattle even when you think they are fastened down well. :D

If you cut your AL on the centerline of your tubing, use an edge flare die on your bead roller then Dzus tab it down... the flare with the spring tension of the Dzus will hold the panel nice and snug without vibration.

Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:48 pm

I used 3/16" aluminum on the roof of my current Buggy. I had .125" aluminum on my last buggy and rolled it. The dent made by a rock was a 1/2" from the top of my head. I normally had 4" of clearence between my head and the roof. So you be the judge. .060 or .100" Ha! Ha! Sorry it dont cut it for safety!

Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:10 pm

Odyknuck wrote: I used 3/16" aluminum on the roof of my current Buggy. I had .125" aluminum on my last buggy and rolled it. The dent made by a rock was a 1/2" from the top of my head. I normally had 4" of clearence between my head and the roof. So you be the judge. .060 or .100" Ha! Ha! Sorry it dont cut it for safety!

So where was your helmet?

Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:00 pm

shred625 wrote: Odyknuck wrote: I used 3/16" aluminum on the roof of my current Buggy. I had .125" aluminum on my last buggy and rolled it. The dent made by a rock was a 1/2" from the top of my head. I normally had 4" of clearence between my head and the roof. So you be the judge. .060 or .100" Ha! Ha! Sorry it dont cut it for safety!

So where was your helmet?

you got served, hahaha, jk :lol:

Fri Sep 18, 2009 5:39 am

Yea! Ya got me there! :oops: :lol:

Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:53 am

I used .080 for my floor and roof.I screwed it won the used a rubber mallet to tap it down on the edges(i first overhung it a lil more than half way on the tubing).

First trip out it vibrated alot so after i was done painting the car i used some siliconce where the roof meets the tubing then screwed it back on.No vibration what so ever

the floor i used tabs for that and alm doesnt go all the way to the tubing but about 3/16th gap to let sand out