Body Work, Should I?

[1972RedNeck]

I have a 1972 K20 I bought for $100. The cab corners and rockers are rusted through. The floorboards are rusted through next to the edge. The A pillars appear to fine. The doors are rusted through at the bottom in a few spots.

I have never even tried to do body work at all. I would like to attempt to make a rust free free body that looks fairly decent. I have a good Miller wire welder that can run from .020" to .040" wire. I can make strong welds, but they are not always the prettiest. What size wire is best for body work?

What do I need for tools? I have a cutting torch, sawzall, angle grinder, and a rather large selection of hammers. What other tools do I need?

What is the best order to remove and replace rusted parts? Do I need to brace anything when the cab is chopped apart to prevent tweaking the rest of the cab? Can I do everything with the cab on the truck?

Where is the best place to get replacement sheet metal?

The only part that has me really worried is the doors. What is the best plan of attack to fix them?

[SS Tim]

Here is a great exploded view of the cab to start off with. If I were doing this I'd pull the seat,floor coverings and tank. Plus the sill plates and anything else in the way. Vacuum everything. Then take a few good pictures and post them so people here can look at them objectively.

[BuiltwithIvy]

there are some videos on youtube on how to reskin some c10 doors as well as replace rockers and some floor pieces, you should also get a good selection of dollys to work with, and a decent cutoff wheel (harbor freight die grinders work well when taken care of) and I typically always use .035 wire, worst case is more build up that will need to be ground down, but if you have some patience and the time, it should go perfectly, work in small sections, and you shouldn't need to brace anything

[Hubscrub]

Yes, go for it! Knowing how to weld is halfway there. Just take your time
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[PanelDeland]

Tack weld only and jump around.Let it cool between welds or you'll heat warp and make it rust free but wavy.Same with grinding,heat will build up from it.Take your time with alignment before welding.Use tacks only.I would pay $100 for a cab to practice on.

[Tinkermc]

I think at that price you can afford to practice pon it or sell it for scrap and make a profit,

[1972RedNeck]

I kinda have to keep the truck. A neighboring rancher it new in '72. He then parked it in '96 due to the box floor being completely rusted through. I offered him $500 and said I could have it for $100 if I fixed it up a little and never sold it.