patch panels
 

I am about to attempt to replace the floor boards, rockers and cab corners in my 71 1/2 ton. I know how to weld but am just wondering if there is anything I should be aware of before I screw something up. I have never welded in patch panels on a vehicle. I really could use the whole cab... to save time but I haven't found any that are better off than my own.


Thanks,
Darryl

best recommendation I can make is to spend the extra bucks on the GM panels vs. the cheap stuff, especially the rockers.... they fit much better and you'll save time and headaches... I assume you'll be using a MIG welder...??? only way to go for sheet metal... when doing rockers, leave the door on so you can measure to get the gap between door and rocker just right... good luck.

thanks for the advice bigvinnie. I do have a MIG and I will find out what the panels my local vendor was quoting... judging from the price... they probably are the cheap stuff...35 for floor pans and 18 for rockers 22 for the cab corners...

Thanks again

I used all cheapy panels when I did mine and had no problems. The best advice I can give is get yourself a spot weld cutter! These things work great!

There are alot of spot welds on the floor to brace that will need to be removed.

I replaced the rocker panel quite some time before the other work, then came back and did the driver floor and floor support as well as the outer floor that attaches to the rocker. There's nothing really hard about it. The nice thing is that most if not all the work can be done from the top.

Another useful tip is; cover any glass or other parts you don't want damaged by the welding spatter! I learned the hard way on another job I did. Weld spatters eat glass for lunch! :(

I used JC Whitney panels and they worked great! Like bigvinnie said, do the rockers with the doors on and closed!!! You will never get them right otherwise. Once they are spot welded in place, remove the doors and finish. With the cab corners, I only used as much of the new panel that was needed to repair the bad area.

If you like pics, here's a few

http://www.freephoto-i.net/users/1373/8186
http://www.freephoto-i.net/users/1373/8188
http://www.freephoto-i.net/users/1373/8189

These are all import aftermarket parts. I found they are a little thicker than the original sheet matal and with some work, they fit well.