Body experts, please help.

[ebfabman]

Once you guys get into it, if you need some help let me know. I'd be happy to help where possible.

[FormerMember]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

Sad thing is that this cab looks great. It just won't 3 years from now and I am building this for my 5 yo kid to drive in 20 years

[70c10swb]

hey thanks for the pics ebfabman

[FormerMember]

bumping up your reputation a bit, EBfabman.

I still need to send money for one of those filler plates...

Any ideas on repair panels?

What are the best ones out there?

[72CSTC5]

Hey Grendel if you do not want to completely undo what is done there, weld in a patch to connect your floor support to the corner of the cab. The biggest issue I see there is rust coming from underneath the undercoat they sprayed on the repaired areas. It is going to rust again. You need to clean up the welded areas with a wire wheel or something first if you do not have a sandblaster.

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by 72CSTC5

Hey Grendel if you do not want to completely undo what is done there, weld in a patch to connect your floor support to the corner of the cab. The biggest issue I see there is rust coming from underneath the undercoat they sprayed on the repaired areas. It is going to rust again. You need to clean up the welded areas with a wire wheel or something first if you do not have a sandblaster.

Thanks. I thought about that.

The guy I got it from has access to a sandblaster and body shop. We're going to do it right, blast it and do it right

I am not cheaping out on this, in any way. Glad that he is standing behind his statement and we're doing this right.

[ebfabman]

I've used mostly tri-plus and tabco. Both have good and not so good aspects to their parts. Seems like all aftermarket replacement parts are just decent starting places as far as rust repair (and other) panels go. To get really good fits and crisp lines, you will have do some fabrication and have some degree of welding and metal finishing skill. Fortunately its not real hard to learn and I think its fun

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by ebfabman

I've used mostly tri-plus and tabco. Both have good and not so good aspects to their parts. Seems like all aftermarket replacement parts are just decent starting places as far as rust repair (and other) panels go. To get really good fits and crisp lines, you will have do some fabrication and have some degree of welding and metal finishing skill. Fortunately its not real hard to learn and I think its fun

Thanks for the information! I've heard tri-plus. I think I'll give them a try.

[Solver]

Efabman on a side note to this all of the rear cab supports I have bought dont have the back flap that goes around to cab corner.Just a flange like the front edge of the support. is this something you have added or did this come on the rear cab support all ready?
The part you circled in red

[FormerMember]

Mine had it... it's chunked up.

BTW, I circled that. That's where I have problems with mine.

[ebfabman]

The ones I use have the flange. Its flat so you will have to form it to the cab corner once its fitted.

[FormerMember]

So, Ebfabman, want to come for a foliage visit

[ebfabman]

grendel, after another look at your pics I noticed the seat belt nut that should be welded to the front of the rear cab support is missing. You will have to drill a hole through the floor and weld the nut to the underside of the floor on the front flange part of the rear cab support.

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by ebfabman

grendel, after another look at your pics I noticed the seat belt nut that should be welded to the front of the rear cab support is missing. You will have to drill a hole through the floor and weld the nut to the underside of the floor on the front flange part of the rear cab support.

We'll fix that when we get into it. However, I plan to use late model seats and seatbelts.

[vtblazer]

Couple pics that might show what's going on a little better.

Inner rockers (rear) were not continued to/welded to the rear of the cab corners.

Inner rockers (front) were not welded all the way forward either.

[vtblazer]

Made patch plates for the effected areas.

[vtblazer]

Started out by sand blasting suspect areas.
Basically all the seams to be found underneath.

Blasted/wire wheeled out all existing seam sealer/re-welded any areas that looked like it was needed/re-seam sealed/re-applied undercoating to match existing area under cab.

[special-K]

That inner cab corner/floor area is about the toughest area to repair(right) on these.The front corners/kick panel/floor/inner rocker area is aclose second.Nice job on straightening it out.

[ebfabman]

vt, looks good. What are your plans for the seat belt anchor nuts? Did you opt omit the nuts and bolts that hold the pillars to the cab supports or are you going to drill holes and weld the nuts on later?

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by ebfabman

vt, looks good. What are your plans for the seat belt anchor nuts? Did you opt omit the nuts and bolts that hold the pillars to the cab supports or are you going to drill holes and weld the nuts on later?

I don't need the seat belt anchor nuts, as I will be running a late model seat with integral seat belts. I also have formed C-channel that's going to hug the cab and be tied into the frame with a body mount to support that seat and belts.

Not sure about the cab support nuts, Kurt?

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by ebfabman

vt, looks good. What are your plans for the seat belt anchor nuts? Did you opt omit the nuts and bolts that hold the pillars to the cab supports or are you going to drill holes and weld the nuts on later?

Left them out intentionally.
My understanding is grendel will be using later model seats and is making his own seat mounts as to be safe with the integrated shoulder belt set up.
A pm was sent asking this question prior to undercoating but the reply didn't have that answer in it. He may of just missed it/forgot.

If he still wants them, I'll drill and weld in the nuts, no problem.
Have two grade 8 nuts sitting right here.

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

Left them out intentionally.
My understanding is grendel will be using later model seats and is making his own seat mounts as to be safe with the integrated shoulder belt set up.
A pm was sent asking this question prior to undercoating but the reply didn't have that answer in it. He may of just missed it/forgot.

If he still wants them, I'll drill and weld in the nuts, no problem.
Have two grade 8 nuts sitting right here.

hehe, look above your post.

Sorry about not responding... I've been a bit preoccupied.

[ebfabman]

Looks like the rockers are already installed??? Are you going to remove them?

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by grendel

Not sure about the cab support nuts, Kurt?

What'cha talkin' bout Willis?

Rear cab support nuts are "captive" inside of the cab.
Used them to bolt the cab flip to.

Front has no nuts, never did.
A bolt goes down through the floor and the nut is underneath.
Factory actually welded the bolts in during assembly.

[ebfabman]

vt, these are the cab support bolts and nuts I'm asking about. These are very much structural. They tie the "A" and "B" pillars to the front and rear cab supports. Instead of welds holding the cab together, 6 (per side) 3/8ths bolts tie the structural parts of the cab together. Very strong. The square nuts are welded to the lower "A" and "B" pillars after the cab supports are aligned with the "A" and "B" pillars. This is all done before the outer rockers are installed.

Here is a pic of the front cab support nuts