tranny tunnel sheetmetal question

[blowedupmotor87]

Got a bit of an odd question for y'all:
How integral to the rigidity of the floorboards a a whole is the tranny tunnel?

I just got a new one fabbed to clear the doubler and the guy that fabbed it used lighter gauge sheetmetal than the stock stuff (I would assume he did that so it would be easier to form) anyways, it is light enough gauge that I can bend it by hand (accidentally did in two spots already). This metal is used for the entire raised tranny tunnel, all the way from the firewall to the rear seat footwell area. It would be pretty much impossible to remove it as it has very thorough welds holding it in place so, removing it would result in having an even bigger hole in the floor. So, is the metal being so light going to cause a problem? Is my entire floor likely to taco now? Or, am I paranoid?

Pic:

 

[blowedupmotor87]

I SHOULD have just left it the way it was when my buddy John modded it in the first place but, me being the dumb@$$ that I am, I decided that I was going to cut it all out and make a fancy one and ended up just cutting a huge gaping hole (sat that for the better part of two years). Now, I just paid to have this done and don't seem to be any better off then I was 3 years ago with the original setup! Heck, if it's rigidity is important, I may in fact be worse off!!!

 

[chevysmithz71]

Yeah that doesn't look strong at all. I would hate to step on it. I wonder if you can strengthen it by some straps on the inderside lining the new tunnel.
I did mine all out of 1/8in, it was a bitch but I never worry about it.

 

[4X4HIGH]

That will be fine as long as you're not trying to stand on it.

 

[owenst7]

It's only going to really improve the rigidity of the cab between the firewall and the b pillars. If you have sliders welded to the body like most of us, I wouldn't even waste the energy to think about it because the sliders do that job so much better. If it's a full vert with stock rockers...maybe a little more concern just because they are weak that way to begin with.

If it is an issue, you'll notice it in a hurry because it will start buckling and showing stress. It's not like the body is going to collapse like a hospital bed in a cartoon though .

Truthfully, it's not the worst way for the body to loose a few pounds.

Make a nice center console that bolts in there and it will keep it from flexing as much when you step on/near it.

 

[dirtygoat]

I've seen large sticks go threw floor boards... What happens if something lets loose under that thin stuff???

I would be more concerned of an injury...

 

[owenst7]

I've seen large sticks go threw floor boards... What happens if something lets loose under that thin stuff???

I would be more concerned of an injury...

I wouldn't be worried about any sticks making it through the transfer case...if that happens I think he's going to have bigger problems...like being blind lol

 

[79rustyk10]

I wouldnt worry about it, if its that thin Id try not to step on it though.