Cab corner replacement - how to hold 'em down? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nosto · 04-09-2002, 12:53 PM

Before welding 'em in.

I am looking for ideas for holding the cab corners in place so I can tack weld them in. Can't use the visegrip type clamps, especially on the back side, and could only use one of them at the front (in the door jamb, near where the rear of the rocker attaches).

I can hold it in place using 2 or 3 hands and it fits tight.

BTW: I am not using the full patch piece; I cut off the top 4" (just below the body line) partly because it didn't match up with the existing cab indents and partly because the corner was only rotted at the bottom 5".

Anyone use 'clecko-locs' with a backing piece of sheetmetal?

Thanks,
Rick

------------------
Absecon, NJ

1972 Triumph TR6 - full resto finally done!
1975 F**D F-100 - rusty, but reliable
1982 HD XLH-1000
1967 C-10, shortstep, 350/M21 4spd, headers, Flowmasters, Edelbrock, 600 Holley, 3/4 drop - in a million pieces
See some pieces at:
www.freephoto-i.net
username nosto53

JimKshortstep4x4 · 04-09-2002, 01:14 PM

In addition to clamps, vise grips, etc. we use self tapping screws, (small 1/4" hex head
3/4" long). The system works well and we weld up the screw holes which gives more
stiffness. Obviously this will not work if you want to butt weld.

Jim

bobs409 · 04-09-2002, 01:18 PM

It's a bit odd but I've already held the part in place with my left hand and did a quick tack weld with the right. A few of them will do the job.

I don't even bother with the welding helmet. I just close my eyes for that job. LOL

I've already used masking tape to help hold a part in place until I tacked it but probably wouldn't work well on the cab corner.

They sell magnets to help hold the part too. That might work.

------------------
63 Impala*66 Chevelle SS*69 Chevelle*69 C10 Stepside*71 Cheyenne 20*72 Chevelle

Parts for sale:
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/mr409/items4sale.html

ebfabman · 04-09-2002, 01:22 PM

clecos with 2 washers works good(one on the inside, one on the outside)this works good if you are going to butt weld too. There is also a screw type of cleco that you can use more pressure if needed.

NSANE68!!! · 04-09-2002, 01:34 PM

I use the magnet method. Works pretty good.

tom hand · 04-09-2002, 01:39 PM

When I did mine I only used part of the patch like you are talking about. I started at the door jam with one small tack weld then lined it up. Then did another tack an inch away. Every time I would do another tack weld I would line up the part that was an inch away while it was still hot. Once you start going around the curve it gets harder, but then you hammer it in place while it is still hot. If you go with this method the prettiest part that requires the least amount of finishing body work will be showing, and the part that requires most[the part you had to hammer]will be hidden by bed.
Unless you are some kind of artist it will require some bodyfiller when you are thru. The main thing is to make a strong repair.

------------------
72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail
Olive Branch MS

nosto · 04-09-2002, 06:19 PM

Thanks for the ideas! There's sure no lack of good info here.

My magnets weren't able to hold the whole thing in place. The tack, hold, tack, hold sounds like it might work here.

Rick

Cheyenne Super · 04-09-2002, 08:04 PM

what is a cleco lock?

stllookn · 04-10-2002, 12:29 AM

I love these magnets...they are cheap ($2.00 on sale) quick and reusable! Just my 0.02!

------------------
If it weren't for all the mistakes I made...this would be a part time job!

ebfabman · 04-10-2002, 08:06 AM

these are clecos (sorry for the bad pics)

04-09-2002, 12:53 PM	#1
nosto Flamin' Bass Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Galloway, NJ, US Posts: 315	Cab corner replacement - how to hold 'em down? Before welding 'em in. I am looking for ideas for holding the cab corners in place so I can tack weld them in. Can't use the visegrip type clamps, especially on the back side, and could only use one of them at the front (in the door jamb, near where the rear of the rocker attaches). I can hold it in place using 2 or 3 hands and it fits tight. BTW: I am not using the full patch piece; I cut off the top 4" (just below the body line) partly because it didn't match up with the existing cab indents and partly because the corner was only rotted at the bottom 5". Anyone use 'clecko-locs' with a backing piece of sheetmetal? Thanks, Rick ------------------ Absecon, NJ 1972 Triumph TR6 - full resto finally done! 1975 FD F-100 - rusty, but reliable 1982 HD XLH-1000 1967 C-10, shortstep, 350/M21 4spd, headers, Flowmasters, Edelbrock, 600 Holley, 3/4 drop - in a million pieces See some pieces at: www.freephoto-i.net username nosto53 __________________ Rick Olson /nosto/ Galloway, NJ Pics : http://community.webshots.com/user/nosto53 1972 Triumph TR6 - full resto, now with a Toyota 5-speed 1975 FD F-100 - rusty, but reliable 1982 HD XLH-1000 1967 C-10, shortstep, 350/M21 4spd, nitrogen tank fills fast bags on 4 corners, Toyo 255/45X20s on American Eagle 221 20X8s, shaved locks and handles, antenna, fuel filler, tiny C-notch, rear fuel tank, long headers, Edelbrock, worn 600 Holley, Checkmate flush hard cover, rear pan, custom LED taillights - painted it, too! But don't like it so I'm gonna do it again!!

04-09-2002, 01:14 PM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	In addition to clamps, vise grips, etc. we use self tapping screws, (small 1/4" hex head 3/4" long). The system works well and we weld up the screw holes which gives more stiffness. Obviously this will not work if you want to butt weld. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

04-09-2002, 01:18 PM	#3
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	It's a bit odd but I've already held the part in place with my left hand and did a quick tack weld with the right. A few of them will do the job. I don't even bother with the welding helmet. I just close my eyes for that job. LOL I've already used masking tape to help hold a part in place until I tacked it but probably wouldn't work well on the cab corner. They sell magnets to help hold the part too. That might work. ------------------ 63 Impala66 Chevelle SS69 Chevelle69 C10 Stepside71 Cheyenne 20*72 Chevelle Parts for sale: http://www.angelfire.com/trek/mr409/items4sale.html __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

04-09-2002, 01:34 PM	#5
NSANE68!!! SLICER AND DICIER Join Date: May 2001 Location: Quuen Creek Posts: 1,383	I use the magnet method. Works pretty good. __________________ 01 Tahoe 22's 2/4 drop and tv's 68 chevy money pit 51 chevy belair 95 Honda 900RR 05 GMC Siearra (company truck)

04-09-2002, 01:39 PM	#6
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	When I did mine I only used part of the patch like you are talking about. I started at the door jam with one small tack weld then lined it up. Then did another tack an inch away. Every time I would do another tack weld I would line up the part that was an inch away while it was still hot. Once you start going around the curve it gets harder, but then you hammer it in place while it is still hot. If you go with this method the prettiest part that requires the least amount of finishing body work will be showing, and the part that requires most[the part you had to hammer]will be hidden by bed. Unless you are some kind of artist it will require some bodyfiller when you are thru. The main thing is to make a strong repair. ------------------ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

04-09-2002, 01:22 PM	#4
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	clecos with 2 washers works good(one on the inside, one on the outside)this works good if you are going to butt weld too. There is also a screw type of cleco that you can use more pressure if needed.

04-09-2002, 06:19 PM	#7
nosto Flamin' Bass Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Galloway, NJ, US Posts: 315	Thanks for the ideas! There's sure no lack of good info here. My magnets weren't able to hold the whole thing in place. The tack, hold, tack, hold sounds like it might work here. Rick __________________ Rick Olson /nosto/ Galloway, NJ Pics : http://community.webshots.com/user/nosto53 1972 Triumph TR6 - full resto, now with a Toyota 5-speed 1975 F**D F-100 - rusty, but reliable 1982 HD XLH-1000 1967 C-10, shortstep, 350/M21 4spd, nitrogen tank fills fast bags on 4 corners, Toyo 255/45X20s on American Eagle 221 20X8s, shaved locks and handles, antenna, fuel filler, tiny C-notch, rear fuel tank, long headers, Edelbrock, worn 600 Holley, Checkmate flush hard cover, rear pan, custom LED taillights - painted it, too! But don't like it so I'm gonna do it again!!

04-09-2002, 08:04 PM	#8
Cheyenne Super Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Efland, NC Posts: 303	what is a cleco lock? __________________ 1971 Cheyenne Super Soon to be converted to '68 front clip. Efland, NC

04-10-2002, 12:29 AM	#9
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	I love these magnets...they are cheap ($2.00 on sale) quick and reusable! Just my 0.02! ------------------ If it weren't for all the mistakes I made...this would be a part time job! __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

04-10-2002, 08:06 AM	#10
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	these are clecos (sorry for the bad pics)

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