What do you use for replacement body panels?

[1940_dodge]

I have a 1940 dodge I'm in the process of restoring (zero experience) and I've come across some sections that will need to be replaced. My question is, what steel do you use and where do you buy yours?

I think it's 20 gauge sheet..

 

[rockwithjason]

19ga hot rolled, pickled and oiled. i searched under metal suppliers and found several in my area

 

[1940_dodge]

I'll give the old yellow pages a look over. Are there any characteristics in the metal I need to look for? Like % of carbon in the steel (I literally have no idea).

 

[MP&C]

I use Cold Rolled Steel. No mill scale, no pickling required. Most body panels will be 19 ga as Jason said, some parts like structural members may be a bit thicker. Most sheets will come in 4' x 8', if you don't have means to cut them into more manageable pieces you may be better off buying from a local machine shop and having it sheared into smaller pieces. A metal supply outfit is not going to sell to a customer off the street, especially for one sheet. So a machine shop will be playing middle man, but the price should still be cheaper than the small 2 x 2 pieces at the box stores..

 

[1940_dodge]

So called around, no one carries 19 gauge out here. Should I go to 20 or 18 gauge for ease of welding?

 

[MP&C]

Dan Pate lives SE of Minneapolis and gets 19 all the time. Let me check with him and get back to you. Otherwise, I would look for 18 gauge and mic it before purchase, to see how close it is to your body panels. IMO 20 will be too thin...

 

[doojus]

Get some 18 gauge online...

http://www.discountsteel.com/items/A1008_Cold_Rolled_Steel_Sheet.cfm

 

[1940_dodge]

You buy a spare fender or hood or door, or better yet, a roof if you can get one, and you whack that up.
Identical metal with identical content and memory. You don't just slap something in there because it's the right thickness. A sacrificial body panel is how to get the right metal for the job. Since this is the only car you're working on it is practical for you to do this. Other peoplewill put in whatever they find from flat stock to save the parts search and expense. You have the luxury of doing it from a single stock part. They do not. Following professional example is not always the best... It is often the most convenient for them as a vendor not you as the owner.
As you have no experience, there are much better places to start a restoration than something like brazing and forming and welding and leading and contouring, flanging, stretching, shrinking....

Not a bad I idea, but I do want to do this at the same time so I can get my teeth into it. I might do that for some of the harder parts to make.

 

[MP&C]

Dan said his supplier only sells in bulk qty but he could sell you 19ga if you need it. I'll PM his contact details...

 

[HMCFab9]

19 gauge is hard to come by in many areas. (without special ordering it)
Your best solution is probably 18 gauge if you can't get any 19.

 

[ford33]

Good luck with the project. It is a great experience.

Have you searched for "dodge body panels" online? I found a few places that sell panels. But perhaps you want to repair or make your own.

Post pictures as you progress. You will get plenty of encouragement and advice here.

 

[ford33]

Here is a link to a PDF about 1940 - 1948 Dodge body panels and general body information. Title is "Mopar Body and Sheet Metal Quick Reference list".

It is 350+ pages of information part and numbers.

You may find it useful.

Good luck.
http://www.pwchryslerclub.org/MoparSheetMetal-1940-1948.pdf