cab corner /rocker replacement $$$

[BB72CHEVKT]

What is a ball park figure to have these items replaced? I am looking at a truck that is in need of repair in these areas and luckily both my other trucks have not had this type problem.

[mclairmo]

A lot to do it right. It would be much cheaper for you to take a welding class at your local community college, buy a small mig welder and do it yourself. I do all my own welding now and it saves a ton of money. Mig welders are not expensive andnot hard to use, just takes practice.

[epashhans]

Originally Posted by mclairmo

A lot to do it right. It would be much cheaper for you to take a welding class at your local community college, buy a small mig welder and do it yourself. I do all my own welding now and it saves a ton of money. Mig welders are not expensive andnot hard to use, just takes practice.

Are you using flux core or gas? Flux core welders are cheeeeap. Just more splatter...

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by BB72CHEVKT

What is a ball park figure to have these items replaced? I am looking at a truck that is in need of repair in these areas and luckily both my other trucks have not had this type problem.

I did both of my rockers myself. The first one cost $1020. About $900 for a good Miller 220V welder, $60 for a community college evening welding class, approximately $40 for shop supplies, and $20 for a shipped aftermarket rocker.

The 2nd one cost me $20 and I get to keep the welder.

I've had this welder for about 5 or 6 years. It is invaluable in the shop. Until this past spring I never used flux core wire in it. This spring I helped a very good friend put back together a rusted out dock frame. Since we did the work outside we had to use flux core. Let me tell you I'll never use that on sheet metal body work. What a mess.

To use solid wire with a gas shield you HAVE to be inside. If you are outside the wind will blow away your shield and leave the weld puddle to oxidize in the atmosphere. The flux in the core of flux core wire is there to vaporize and create a sheild when you are welding in a place where you can't use a shield gas. This vaporized flux protects the weld puddle from the atmosphere but leaves a residue you need to clean up plus there is a lot more splatter from the weld puddle that gets on your work.

Half way through the dock project my friend bought one of these 110V cheapo welders from Menards. Lets just say it works ok. There is no comparison between my Miller and his unit.

In summary, I would learn how to weld. Rockers are about the easiest thing you can do for your first job. If you search this site you will see detailed threads with pictures on how to remove and replace a rocker.

And stick with a name brand welding machine. Purchase it from a welding supply house. Those guys will be there when you need your gas tank filled and/or need more consumables for your machine. Plus they can answer questions that the kid at Menards or Home Depot doesn't have business answering.

[purewhitemp5]

Welding classes in my area cost about $320 and my millermatic 211 MVP cost me about $970 shipped.

[BB72CHEVKT]

I was really looking at what a typical shop might charge. Thanks for the info.

[Sinister]

A shop is going to charge you enough to where the better deal is to get a welder and do it yourself. You don't need to take a class, just practice on scrap. Plenty of online welding tutorials.
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/

[Chada]

I am working on my first project with a friend who has a welder and he has given me a few lessons. We took the cab off the truck and replaced the four cab supports, inner rockers, cut free and re-welded one of the outer rockers and patched the cab floor in around two days. Really was not hard at all. Just buy or rent a welder its not that hard.

[19673ontree]

well I guess I am REALLY CHEAP !!!!!!!!!!!
I never figured I could afford a mig welder cause if I had one I WANT A GOOD ONE ! and like I said I can't afford it so here is what I use , the eastwood company stitch welder it work's off a normal arc welder set to the lowest setting , I put my rocker's and cab corner's in with this tool , it is easy to use and CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $70 BUCK's

now before someone jump's up and say's A MIG IS BETTER ! I KNOW THAT !
BUT A STITCH IS CHEAPER



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Eastw...271710005r8911

[19673ontree]

Originally Posted by BB72CHEVKT

I was really looking at what a typical shop might charge. Thanks for the info.

you know we have not answered your original question and to be honest I DONT KNOW ? shop's charge HIGH $ for stuff like this , most people just do it themselve's ,

[BarryB]

A typical shop charges by the hour depending on where ytour located, is how much an hour it is. Iwould say 16 hours, at 35-50 an hour. So thats an idea of what you'd should be expecting to pay.

[BarryB]

Oh forgot to add, get the better quality replacement pieces so fitment won't be all that hard some of the lesser grade, cost more in the long wrong.

[Ackattack]

$50/hr x 12 hours = $600.....I'm guessing on time.

[gcburdic]

PM sent.....also, I was one of those that let someone else do them for me....(not b/c I am rich, but b/c I had no clue what I was doing)...don't know how much just the rocker replacement cost me, but you could estimate $50-$60/ hr labor......
FYI...I do intend on taking a welding class or if there is a local guy that wants to teach a young whipper snapper like me, I would be willing to dance at your next wedding!!!LOL

[BB72CHEVKT]

Thanks this gives me an idea. To me $600-800 to fix all the rust issues on a $600 truck does not seem too bad.

[mclairmo]

I use gas (Argon to be exact) and do all welding inside away from the wind. I have a cheap 110V Cebora made in Italy I think and it works fine. I won't trust a body shop since most are awful. And, if you find a good one they may charge you an arm and a leg.

[ebfabman]

With bodywork, you generally get what you pay for.

[mbgmike]

Yeah we do this for a living and like said you get what you pay for. Most guys don't want to pay anything and think shops are too high. If you give them a low price then others think your too cheap and go somewhere else. We decided to just be high on price and if they go somewhere else so be it. I have seen plenty of the DIY's jobs

[ebfabman]

"......I have seen plenty of the DIY's jobs "


You can spot those a mile away!

[Bam Bam 56]

Actually for the welder i picked up a 110v Millermatic 135 a few years ago and love it. it gets excellent penetration for a 110v welder and it has a very low setting that works awesome for body work. I think i paid about $500 for it. I have been using it on my race cars ever since i got it and even rebuilt the rear stubs with it