Need some opinions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

softballnrd27 · 04-20-2016, 12:10 AM

So I'm shaving the firewall on my 73. I was originally going to just fill the holes and got as far as making all the templates. I made the mistake of cutting the lip off of the big hole for the a/c and it made the firewall very flimsy and it distorted some when I welded some of the smaller holes. So I bought some 16ga sheetmetal and got a template made and cut it out. I really like the way it looks now. I bought a porterbuilt firewall plate to graft into the flat 16ga but looking at it now I am torn so I need some help.

Option 1: Flat 16ga no porterbuilt panel
Option 2: Flat 16ga with porterbuilt panel welded flush to the 16ga panel

68Timber · 04-20-2016, 08:50 AM

Add the panel, it needs some detail. White Lightning?

softballnrd27 · 04-20-2016, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68Timber

Add the panel, it needs some detail. White Lightning?

Yes a 95 with some work done

cochino12 · 04-20-2016, 08:59 AM

I agree, use the panel

CSHADES · 04-20-2016, 09:25 AM

Why don't you take the panel you made and add some beads into it with a bead roller instead of welding more metal on top of metal?

andrewmp6 · 04-20-2016, 09:33 AM

Yeah i would bead roll the piece you have or maybe add some extra strips in any design you like.

daddyjeep · 04-20-2016, 12:52 PM

The panel or rolled bead will add a little rigidity, so I vote add the panel.

softballnrd27 · 04-20-2016, 01:09 PM

If I use the panel I will cut out the shape of the panel and weld it to the flat panel flush. I don't have a bead roller but I might look into it locally to see if I can find someone that does it.

CSHADES · 04-20-2016, 04:25 PM

Everybody that does sheetmetal work should own a bead roller. They aren't that expensive other than with the cheap ones you usually end up reinforcing it to make it work good. Once you have one you will wonder why you didn't buy one before. I have the one from Horrible Freight it works good after I added a 5/8" thick plate to the rear of it. I am looking to buy the really nice one that Baleigh sells. It is electric and has a quick release/pressure set up on it.

andrewmp6 · 04-21-2016, 01:57 AM

Call any speed shop or even some 4x4 shops might have a bead roller.

Shugalou · 04-21-2016, 01:35 PM

I'm a fan of keeping it smooth - I think it would look more showey...and more surface area for stickers

Ice&burban · 04-22-2016, 11:57 AM

Add the panel, definitely will add some depth to the firewall.

View Poll Results: HELP!!!!!
Flat 16ga panel no porterbuilt panel	2	33.33%
Flat 16ga with porterbuilt panel welded flush to the 16ga panel	4	66.67%
Voters: 6. You may not vote on this poll

04-20-2016, 12:10 AM	#1
softballnrd27 Always a work in progress Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Harker Heights, TX Posts: 1,599	Need some opinions So I'm shaving the firewall on my 73. I was originally going to just fill the holes and got as far as making all the templates. I made the mistake of cutting the lip off of the big hole for the a/c and it made the firewall very flimsy and it distorted some when I welded some of the smaller holes. So I bought some 16ga sheetmetal and got a template made and cut it out. I really like the way it looks now. I bought a porterbuilt firewall plate to graft into the flat 16ga but looking at it now I am torn so I need some help. Option 1: Flat 16ga no porterbuilt panel Option 2: Flat 16ga with porterbuilt panel welded flush to the 16ga panel __________________ USMC Retired Never trust a man who can't laugh at his own fart! 2010 Silverado Crew Cab 73 SWB 5.3/4l80e Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=695168

04-20-2016, 08:50 AM	#2
68Timber I know the pieces fit Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MONTGOMERY, AL Posts: 5,523	Re: Need some opinions Add the panel, it needs some detail. White Lightning? __________________ John 79 2wd Blazer (Bruiser) 85 M1009 Blazer (Sarge) build 74 Honda Z50 build

04-20-2016, 08:59 AM	#4
cochino12 It followed me home? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Yup Posts: 5,751	Re: Need some opinions I agree, use the panel __________________ Adam That's why they call it a shortcut Kyle, if it was easy it would just be the way. 86 c-10 SWB 85 CCSB 90 GMC K30 Crew SRW 1985 C30 Dually

04-20-2016, 09:25 AM	#5
CSHADES Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: portage wi Posts: 506	Re: Need some opinions Why don't you take the panel you made and add some beads into it with a bead roller instead of welding more metal on top of metal?

04-20-2016, 09:33 AM	#6
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: Need some opinions Yeah i would bead roll the piece you have or maybe add some extra strips in any design you like.

04-20-2016, 12:52 PM	#7
daddyjeep Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Smethport, PA Posts: 1,213	Re: Need some opinions The panel or rolled bead will add a little rigidity, so I vote add the panel. __________________ 85 K30 crew cab dually - Project http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=694939 87 Wrangler Rock Crawler - Reason for the project http://www.wranglerforum.com/f330/da...ld-122601.html 04 1500 crew cab http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=786514

04-20-2016, 01:09 PM	#8
softballnrd27 Always a work in progress Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Harker Heights, TX Posts: 1,599	Re: Need some opinions If I use the panel I will cut out the shape of the panel and weld it to the flat panel flush. I don't have a bead roller but I might look into it locally to see if I can find someone that does it. __________________ USMC Retired Never trust a man who can't laugh at his own fart! 2010 Silverado Crew Cab 73 SWB 5.3/4l80e Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=695168

04-20-2016, 04:25 PM	#9
CSHADES Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: portage wi Posts: 506	Re: Need some opinions Everybody that does sheetmetal work should own a bead roller. They aren't that expensive other than with the cheap ones you usually end up reinforcing it to make it work good. Once you have one you will wonder why you didn't buy one before. I have the one from Horrible Freight it works good after I added a 5/8" thick plate to the rear of it. I am looking to buy the really nice one that Baleigh sells. It is electric and has a quick release/pressure set up on it.

04-21-2016, 01:57 AM	#10
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: Need some opinions Call any speed shop or even some 4x4 shops might have a bead roller.

04-21-2016, 01:35 PM	#11
Shugalou Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 458	Re: Need some opinions I'm a fan of keeping it smooth - I think it would look more showey...and more surface area for stickers __________________ Found my dad's old truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=563321 Newspaper Article Publishing the quest find my dad's old truck http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle12494281/

04-22-2016, 11:57 AM	#12
Ice&burban Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Wrightsville, PA Posts: 31	Re: Need some opinions Add the panel, definitely will add some depth to the firewall.



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