Aluminum diamond plating for the rear floor

[BlitzK5]

Anyone use Diamond plate Aluminum for a rear floor replacement? If so is it strong enough and do you got some pictures?. Should I use diamond plate or stick with checker plate. I would think that Checker plate would be easier to weld but would rust alot easier and the Aluminum would last forever or am I wrong?

 

[Skigirl]

I have a diamond plate deck built into my roll cage, and I don't think it's nearly strong enough by itself. I have aluminum framing welded under it for strength and if it also didn't have roll cage support underneath that framing every couple feet it would buckle. Maybe there's thicker diamond plate out there than I have.

I don't know how you'd weld aluminum to steel at the edges... but I'm not a welder.

 

[tRustyK5]

You can't weld aluminum to steel. It'd have to be bolt in or riveted...

Any checker or diamond plate whether aluminum or steel comes in pretty much any thickness you can imagine. I've seen 1/2" steel checker plate, plenty of 3/8" aluminum checker, all the way to thinner than 1/8"...

For a floor I'd use as thin as 16 gauge steel checker and add some supports underneath. Then again, for the price you might as well get the replacement floor sections from LMC or JC Whitney and save yourself some aggravation.

My 2 cents...

Rene

 

[rjfguitar]

I'd bet it would look good..... I plan on using a little diamond plate for cosmetic reasons if I ever get around to interior work.

 

[BlitzK5]

I am currently in the process of installing it know. I will post pics when im done. The only draw back is the cost. It cost me $400 canadian for 2 3x6 sheets

 

[chrisb420]

diamond plate floor

i have replaced my entire floor with 1/8" diamond plate steel bolted to 1/4" 2x2 subframe it is as strong as can be but added over 500 pounds to the weight of the vehicle. 1/8" diamond plate steel weighs in at a little over 6 pounds per square foot, so dont use it if trying to keep the vehicle light.

 

[jjlaughner]

I used steel diamond plate of the 1/8" variety (1/8" plate not including the height of the treads, some call it 3/16" depending on the place ), its not nearly strong enough by itself, I made a 1.5" by 3/16" subframe with a 2x3" tailpan and bolted it all together, welded the body to the sheet and when and if I get to that point attaching the cage to the frame and body.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102779

 

[BlitzK5]

ok Here it is, im done. I went with 2 3x6 sheets of 3/16th diamond plating.

 

[DaPlumber]

WOW Thats so sweet

 

[NYDIESELDAVE]

That looks killer! Any plans for diamond plate int side panels?

 

[73k5blazer]

That looks killer! Any plans for diamond plate int side panels?

Yeah, I want some of those too. Guess I'll have to break down and make 'em myself.....

 

[rdn2blazer]

ok Here it is, im done. I went with 2 3x6 sheets of 3/16th diamond plating.

with that thick of aluminum do you think you added weight or was it about the same or maybe more weight then stock floor?

 

[BlitzK5]

Im preatty sure I added weight but im not sure how much. I most likely doubled it since I built a frame with angle iron for underneath.

 

[BlitzK5]

I would like to but that wont be for a long time. I still have to do all my gears first. LOL