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I am going to fab new seam sections for my j4000 bed.... Does anyone know what gauge the original skin is?
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Never measured but likely 18ga.joe
"Don't mind me. I'm just here for the alibi" -
You'll want something heavier than what it originally had. not only is the metal you're going to buy unlikely to be as high of quality but the original is very thin and harder to weld.Comment
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Yes, 18 ga. for older cars. Newer cars get thinner steel. Ecomony.Originally posted by joeTim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination ATs, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
ECO Green: '15 FCA Jeep Cherokee KL TrailhawkComment
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Tbh I would like to use the same gauge as it will be easier to manipulate to form the angles needed before weld the two parts together to form the seam.Comment
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Not really. the reason patch panels are heavier is because they're not as high tensile as the original metal and it's easier to form. also easier to weld.
I know what you're trying to do on the bed seams, I've determined the way to fix one would be to go to cut a piece out to determine the proper angles then go to a metal shop and have them bend the steel on their brake so it's perfectly straight.
I would also go back far enough from the seam for my weld that I could get the bondo work done away from the seam. because you will have bondo.
My J10 had no rust at all but even here in the high desert 9 out of 10 do, it was a real design flaw.Comment
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