When we went to the K2 truck platform is when I noticed significantly thinner sheet metal but still "decent" - however the T1 was even thinner and we would sometimes make small dents in panels just hand carrying them to the line if not careful. Robot handling damage was always an issue as well.
Sheetmetal so thin these days
- Thread starter MrkofXcellence
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In the pickup box in my truck each wheel hump has a rear facing dimple on it (pointing out) that seems like robot damage or an aggressive pinch welder or something. Neat to have your perspective on this. Do you work Ft Wayne?
My 2016 Tacoma uses pretty thin sheet metal....I can see the hood flexing in the wind at highway speeds. Gotta be careful leaning against the bed sides to grab something out of it....it all moves.
Strange hobby
I have worked at the Baltimore plant, Bowling Green and Arlington where I retired in 2022. Also other plants including Ft.Wayne when I was in engineering. Your truck may actually have a normal condition because it is unlikely 2 robots would be creating the same defect on the same truck. Hard to say for sure as it may actually be normal.
They're probably done more gracefully now so they look integrated into the design. That 80s Audi probably had them slapped in there just for the American market.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Baltimore…Astro/Safari line I assume. I live in DC area, I was sad to see that plant close. Between that and Bethlehem Steel, that place got hit hard.
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Yeah that is so true. I see plenty of 'snow piles' that are like concrete and would certainly damage a car if hit, even a vintage one. You really have to be careful and not hit them is about the only solution. Arguably a large snow pile sunk the Titanic as well, and that ship had pretty thick skin (plates).
Yeah that is so true. I see plenty of 'snow piles' that are like concrete and would certainly damage a car if hit, even a vintage one. You really have to be careful and not hit them is about the only solution. Arguably a large snow pile sunk the Titanic as well, and that ship had pretty thick skin (plates).
We were hanging out in the mall parking lot at 16 years old and my friend (who was obviously an idiot) comes screaming through the parking lot in his salvage title Tercel thinking he was going to drive through this snow pile in a blaze of glory. Slams into it and immediately comes to a stop. Front end crumpled, steam, a puddle of coolant leaking under the car.
Funniest thing I've ever seen. I can still hear how terrible it sounded at WOT with the belts squealing and all before he hit it.
For me it was turning too sharp coming out of my driveway and crumpling the lower rocker on a snow/ice pile that was there from when opening the driveway up. Obviously out of my line of sight. The moral to the story, dont be stupid. But I swear, the stuff is thin.
Usually the only great option is moving faster. High settings and faster movement often work better than slower and lower. And it’s less total heat.
.023 is often counterproductive on thin stuff because it has high arc intensity with the fine wire. Often an .030 or 035 will have less burn though tendency.
