Ok, before I ask this question please keep in mind I'm new. Here's my question; where do you find diamond plate sheet metal for the cargo area of a 1st gen? This is probalby something that is custom made, so where should I start looking? Thanks.

 

cutsmetal.com
they can do custom stuff
in colorado and they also ship

 

you can get aluminum diamond plate from lowes, but it's expensive and you'd have to cut it to fit yourself...

 

aluminum diamond plate is MAJOR expensive...so don't have a heart attack...a 4'x8' sheet on any thickness is like $200 around here or more last time I checked.

 

I've checked with the local metal supplier here and found the same thing . . . . expensive! They guy was cool though and said they have remnants every so often for less money. I was only trying to find a small piece. So, I'll be checking back until they have the right piece in the scrap bin.

 

a 2'x4' piece of 0.025" aluminum diamond plate at Lowes was $46 and change!

 

onlinemetals.com
They have the best prices, and will custom cut to your specs to keep from wasting anything.
My interior on my 85 is done completely in aluminum, the tailgate was done in bright tread aluminum. I'll post pics tommorrow for your veiwing pleasure.

 

Now I have some leads to go on. I have been checking out CarDomain and a lot of people have the diamond plate sheet metal. My rear cargo panels are toast, with speaker holes in them and brittle. Also, I'd like to put a piece of the diamond plate sheet metal on the tailgate door.

I'd love to see pics smokin4runner and of anyone else who has done some customizing on their interiors.

 

For your viewing and pleasure

 

check cutsmetal.com
they have a Ebay site and sell by the square inch, if needed

 

smokin4runner, sweeet interior! It looks great, but here's another question; did you put any sound deadening material on the back side of the metal? metalhed, thanks for the sites. Peace.

 

What thickness is that metal sheet? im assuming it is aluminum.

 

Smokin,
How is the diamond plate on the knees? I imagine kneeling on the tailgate to unload the truck must be a little uncomfotable. Maybe not though because it looks like the ridges on the top of each diamond are somewhat smoothed off

 

I guess I should check the threads I post in more often,

I didn't put anything between the panels and the body, I have no idea what it sounds like going down the road because I started on the drive train soon after I finished then I bought a new truck and it has sat for the last few months. I believe its a 1/4" thick, its been awhile since I did it. I wanted something aluminum that would take some abuse and hold speakers. The brite tread and duraback bed liner suck on the knees, but it looks good and I'm sure it will be well worth it in the end. I did smooth the sharp edges I hate getting cut up on sharp metal.
I originally got the idea from the clowns at AOR I ordered their door panels and after six months they showed. So I decided to do the rest of the interior the same way.

DON'T BUY FROM AOR

Duty is calling me to far away places, one day I'll get this thing finished.
SEABEES we build, we fight.