TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Jul 07, 2014 4:07 am

I need a new pan for my 73 Super Beetle they come in 18 gauge or 20 gauge , the thicker pan is 70 dollars more, whats your opinion are the differances worth the extra money :?: .

Thanks Tower :!:

Mon Jul 07, 2014 4:52 am

The moment you stand on the thinner pan you will wish you had used the thicker pan.

Mon Jul 07, 2014 6:53 am

I've held both replacement in my hands, very noticable. I found some older replacement pans for mine. Very sturdy in the car.

WW now sells them for 73. I'd give them a try if I did another car.

Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:11 pm

When you consider the amount of work you're about to invest, it would be silly not to install the best you can get. That extra two mm may not seem like much, but it most certainly is.

If you want to save some money, do it with a simple job, like installing a headlight or front trunk seal. If those turn out funky, you only wasted a few minutes. If you're not happy with the 18 gauge floors, you will have wasted many, many hours.

Tim

Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:24 pm

Tim Donahoe wrote: When you consider the amount of work you're about to invest, it would be silly not to install the best you can get. That extra two mm may not seem like much, but it most certainly is.

If you want to save some money, do it with a simple job, like installing a headlight or front trunk seal. If those turn out funky, you only wasted a few minutes. If you're not happy with the 18 gauge floors, you will have wasted many, many hours.

Tim

Totally agree. Every time I've bought the cheaper version of a VW part, I regretted it immediately. I now buy the best part I can get but search for who is selling it at the best price.

Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:30 pm

Comparing 18 gauge to 20 gauge is a difference of 0.30 mm (0.0125)
and is not worth the extra $70 IMO.

Taking care and protecting is the best way to keep them in good condition.

In reality it does depend on what you are building as well.

If you are going for a driver.. 20 and even 22 is fine and works well once its welded in properly and bolted to the body.
22 does get a little wiggly...

If you plan to sell.... buy the best and advertise as such... it will add value to the sale.

.

Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:35 pm

Tim Donahoe wrote: When you consider the amount of work you're about to invest, it would be silly not to install the best you can get. That extra two mm may not seem like much, but it most certainly is.

If you want to save some money, do it with a simple job, like installing a headlight or front trunk seal. If those turn out funky, you only wasted a few minutes. If you're not happy with the 18 gauge floors, you will have wasted many, many hours.

Tim

Actually the difference between 18 (thicker) and 20 gauge material is about .3mm (.012"). But to the point still a huge difference in the feel and strength of the material.

Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:57 pm

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: Comparing 18 gauge to 20 gauge is a difference of 0.30 mm (0.0125)
and is not worth the extra $70 IMO.

.

I'll agree with this^^, but most of the "20 gauge" pans I have seen are closer to 22, so the extra $70 for an actual 18 gauge pan is money well spent in terms of structural rigidity

Mon Jul 07, 2014 4:10 pm

After a good coat of paint, roll-on sound deadening, tarboards and carpets, it is hard to tell them apart, once installed.

Mon Jul 07, 2014 4:40 pm

Years ago I put a pair of RMMW (the only ones available) in my 67 Ghia. After that I could feel the seat rock back under acceleration. That dam pan was actually flexing under the seat rails.

Just buy the good stuff. It will make the car nicer for you and for whoever comes next.

Max

Tue Jul 08, 2014 5:19 am

75smith wrote: VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: Comparing 18 gauge to 20 gauge is a difference of 0.30 mm (0.0125)
and is not worth the extra $70 IMO.

.

I'll agree with this^^, but most of the "20 gauge" pans I have seen are closer to 22, so the extra $70 for an actual 18 gauge pan is money well spent in terms of structural rigidity

Exactly...... quality control for aftermarket parts is non existant.
If you want the best... buy Klassic Fab... (funky green panels)

.

Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:45 am

You have two options for 18 gauge floor pans for a 1973 Super Beetle: Klokkerholm and Kaeferland. The Klokkerholm pans are sold by several shops, and M&T Manufacturing in Rhode Island had the best price, the last time I checked. Wolfsburg West sells the Kaeferland pans for 1973-1979 Beetles or Super Beetles, but they have their own pans made for 1972 and earlier years. The 20 gauge pans on the market are Klokkerholm.

Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:46 am

You have two options for 18 gauge floor pans for a 1973 Super Beetle: Klokkerholm and Kaeferland. The Klokkerholm pans are sold by several shops, and M&T Manufacturing in Rhode Island had the best price, the last time I checked. Wolfsburg West sells the Kaeferland pans for 1973-1979 Beetles or Super Beetles, but WW has their own pans made for 1972 and earlier years. The 20 gauge pans on the market are Klokkerholm, and the 22 gauge ones are Brazilian manufacturers.

Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:59 am

WW started selling their own pans for 73+ in January. ~$250 per side.
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111701061Q

Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:01 am

The pans sold by WW for 1973-up are the Kaeferland pans, not WW. The WW website listing names the manufacturer.

Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:14 am

The WW pans are better than the CIP orange pans correct? Based off of CIPs website it looks like the Orange ones are 20g and the Black Zitto ones are 22g.

Wed Jul 09, 2014 5:10 pm

I bought and installed the 22ga pans from WW last year ($344 shipped). After putting a seat on and rocking back and forth and watching the metal bend, I ripped them out and just waited until the 18ga Kaeferland pans were available from WW ($500 shipped). The difference between the two is night and day as far as I'm concerned. Get the original thickness 18ga and you won't have to think about it again.