Homemade roof thickness?

[HappyHonda]

Hey all, I want to make my own roof instead of buy one, and I'd like to use diamond plate because I've seen/heard a lot of good things about using it for a roof. I know someone on here used .56" diamond plate, but I was just wondering what anyone thinks the best thickness would be. Thanks!

Happy

 

[Tflynn]

If you use aluminum, I'd say somewhere around 1/8" would do fine. If you use steel I'd go 16ga. (1/16") minimum. Post pics when it's done I have been considering doing this too out of aluminum.

 

[Code54]

The only negative to using Aluminum is if you tip it or have to drag it you could get some bending.
With that said ⅛ is a normal roof weight, any thinner it is too easy to bang it up. .56 is way to heavy for a roof, that is about 9/16 of an inch so that would be extremely heavy for a roof.
Have fun and Good luck on your build

 

[ohanacreek]

I'd go 3/16 if you are going to use it to carry anything(cooler, deer, bear, elephant) or mount a long light bar to it.
Of course if you have a way of running a ridge in the metal it'd add a LOT of rigidity to a thinner gauge, would still flex under the elephant, But a long light bar wouldn't shimmy and shake as much on the lighter gauge with the ridges.

 

[HappyHonda]

I think I'm going to have a tough time finding 1/8" thick aluminum diamond plate thats 96"x60" which is a real bummer. I'm still looking but I can already see its not going to be as easy as I hoped!

 

[Tflynn]

Yeah for that size you might have to have a seam in the middle that you attach to a support bar. If you can match up the diamond plate you would hardly be able to tell and it would give SOME added rigidity. Just rivet the diamond plate to the support

 

[Tflynn]

Obviously this is steel but just trying to show you what I'm talking about. Not sure my explanation is that clear!

 

[HappyHonda]

yea its looking like I'll be having a seam in the middle, not the end of the world though! thanks for your input @Tflynn , I'll be sure to post once I'm moving forward with the project more

 

[Tflynn]

No problem. Another thing I just thought of, make sure to silicone between the diamond plate and support (if that's the route you go) so you don't get water dripping on your head. And also, keep your windshield in mind when designing the roof

 

[Tflynn]

@HappyHonda, do you have pictures for us yet?

 

[HappyHonda]

Pictures of my newborn! Haha @Tflynn my wife just had our daughter 3 weeks ago, so I've had to push off the roof building for the fall!

 

[Tflynn]

I guess that's a good excuse, congratulations!

 

[HappyHonda]

thanks man! can't wait to get the roof on though, I'll be sure to post pics!

 

[bobbyhill]

Congratz @HappyHonda !!

 

[HappyHonda]

thanks @bobbyhill ! my wife and I are very excited, can't wait until we can bring our daughter for her first ride!

 

[JACKAL]

I think I'm going to have a tough time finding 1/8" thick aluminum diamond plate thats 96"x60" which is a real bummer. I'm still looking but I can already see its not going to be as easy as I hoped!

I had an 80 gal in bed fuel tank fabricated from the stuff, the sheet was 60" wide x 96" long. Check with any metal fabrication shop They ordered it for me and I had it in 2 days. Aluminum diamond plate hang on to your wallet it will be nearly $300+ for the sheet if they like you, may be more beneficial to go the hard plastic roof route.

Here is a 5' X 10' sheet 1/8 thick @ $375.00 http://commercial-refrigeration-gas...te-cut/aluminum-diamond-plate-36-36-1-11.html