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#1 |
Insane In The Membrane
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Orcutt, CA
Posts: 446
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Tub/Door Bracing When Taking Body Off
I know, I know, it's probably been talked about before. Trust me, I use the search feature but came back empty.
I have seen and know a lot of you are bracing your door area to keep your tub from flexing when taking the tub off the frame. I was wondering what the best way to do this is and prevent tub flex? Also something that is easily removable, welded is fine as long as it cleans up easy. My thoughts were to make braces that bolt into the hinge pocket area and bolt to the door latch location. Has this been done? Who all has pictures of their non flexing ideas? |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2006
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454
Posts: 9,508
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Re: Tub/Door Bracing When Taking Body Off
Keep in mind that it has to be out of your way when it comes time to fit the door back on for final fit
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Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim |
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#3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
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Re: Tub/Door Bracing When Taking Body Off
Quote:
It's primarily about keeping the firewall in place. I built one that's a bolt in 'and' reversable that I can use on either side when the need arises. |
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#4 |
Insane In The Membrane
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Orcutt, CA
Posts: 446
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Re: Tub/Door Bracing When Taking Body Off
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Oakland, Ca
Posts: 1,382
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Re: Tub/Door Bracing When Taking Body Off
i didn't brace anything when I took mine off. The top was already off, the body mounts were shot, and my gaps weren't too hot anyways. May have created more work down the line since I didn't brace but I'll deal with it later.
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 372
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Re: Tub/Door Bracing When Taking Body Off
pics of what you built?
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'72 K5 CST Blazer 4x4 in perpetual progress '96 2dr Tahoe 4x4 daily driver, Black Bear Performance tune, 285-75-16 Nitto Grapplers, Magnaflow muffler, K&N Air filter, Bilstein Shocks.........E-fan, DT Tri Y or Pacesetter LTs coming soon |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Red Deer ab canada
Posts: 1,250
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Re: Tub/Door Bracing When Taking Body Off
I set my gaps then welded some 1x1 from the dash top (under the pad) down to the "bed" floor behind the seat locations. It's been off-up-down-around and back on the frame, refit the doors; no problems.
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1972 factory 2 Wheel Drive Blazer-Sold 1972 K10 4X4-Sold 1971 Chevrolet Cheyenne/10-Sold 1970 Chevrolet C/10-Sold 1968 GMC 4X4-Project 1968 Chevrolet C/10 Pro Street 1970 GMC 3/4 Ton-Parts 1997 2WD 2DR Yukon-Sweet http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335664 |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Great White North
Posts: 1,520
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Re: Tub/Door Bracing When Taking Body Off
How much do they actually flex if all the metal looks good. My Blazer spent it's whole life in the desert so rust isn't an issue as far as I can tell. Is bracing always necessary or only if there is rust/rot.
__________________
Jeff. '72 Blazer K5 "Camshaft opinions are like belly buttons; everyone has one and no two are alike" My Blazer Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=626752 My Engine Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=637336 |
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#9 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
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Re: Tub/Door Bracing When Taking Body Off
Quote:
Beware of the desert myth, I thought the same thing once but came to find out otherwise when the body work began. Thing is, the sand gets in, can't get out, traps what moisture there is and rust is the result. |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Great White North
Posts: 1,520
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Re: Tub/Door Bracing When Taking Body Off
Yes, I know what you mean, but so far (I haven't had it blasted yet) so good. I'd like to see pics of some different braces too.
__________________
Jeff. '72 Blazer K5 "Camshaft opinions are like belly buttons; everyone has one and no two are alike" My Blazer Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=626752 My Engine Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=637336 |
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#11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Shelbyville, KY
Posts: 3,269
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Re: Tub/Door Bracing When Taking Body Off
Best brace is the top---if you can leave it in place. Second is the front clip---your firewall will have lots of movement without the top or front clip. Reality is to get all new body mounts---and expect some alignment issues especially with the door on the firewall/windhield frame and the rear quarter/rocker panel. After messing with a dozen or so Blazers/Jimmy's, it is my experience that the body will flex even if totally rust free as the "unibody" design with the torque boxes were insufficient to keep things aligned. "A" pillar to "B" pillar braces will help but you will still be challenged. Just keep in mind that the firewall controls the PITCH of the door A pillars and the firewall stability is a factor of the fenders to rad support/inner fenders attachment.
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