Rat repair.

[7dee2]

I'd install it as is then fit the inner to the outer rocker pinch weld seam don't trim to much or you may come up short. Ours didn't need hardly any trim at all either side on our C10 project.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

I'd install it as is then fit the inner to the outer rocker pinch weld seam don't trim to much or you may come up short. Ours didn't need hardly any trim at all either side on our C10 project.

Got a question for ya, did you just temporarily tack weld the lower A pillar in place then fit the outer rocker? I know once welded in place you cant pull nothing apart.

[7dee2]

Nope, we took the best measurements we could bolted it all together and welded it up. I think it would really be a trick to put all this inner stuff temporarily together and then pop a door in place for the outer rocker fitment. Not saying it can't be done but that's not what we did. Somebody told me to work from the inside out and that is what we did for the most part, I felt that was good advise.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Nope, we took the best measurements we could bolted it all together and welded it up. I think it would really be a trick to put all this inner stuff temporarily together and then pop a door in place for the outer rocker fitment. Not saying it can't be done but that's not what we did. Somebody told me to work from the inside out and that is what we did for the most part, I felt that was good advise.

Ok, Thanks for all the pictures they all help!

57taskforce and sboris: Thanks fir the encouragement, its much appreciated!

Just more cutting and fitting today, nothing to post a picture of yet.

[57taskforce]

Mike, your making great progress. Having just done a lot of what your dealing with on my k/20 I know how fun aftermarket parts are as well. I had to trim my inner rocker on the pssenger side but not the driver. All my patches were key parts and I'd rate them 7.5-8 out of 10.

[sboris]

Really coming along! Way to keep at it.

[swamp rat]

Took the weekend off.. Aside form going to the swap meet Saturday and meeting Tim from "1968 Gmc ground up restoration" I spent the rest of the weekend with my wife.

Finished fitting the floor less the outside edge where i want to flange it to fit next to the outer rocker.

Taking my sweet time getting the floor brace and the lower A pillar aligned, measured and checked fit about a billion times, then i tested the outer rocker and its looking really close.

[7dee2]

Looking good Mike I don't think you'll regret the flange type repair way stronger, IMO!

[Molberg]

Looks great bud. If you're questioning fittment... Sheet metal screws are your friend before welding her home. Awesome job.

[swamp rat]

Thanks 7dee2 and Molberg, Molberg its nice to see you on the forum again!

Yes planning on ether screws or pop rivets to hold it together when fitting the doors and welding.

[Molberg]

[QUOTE=swamp rat;7488663]Thanks 7dee2 and Molberg, Molberg its nice to see you on the forum again!

I still "creep" the forums. No section for Nova restoration on this site. Lol
Posted via Mobile Device

[swamp rat]

[quote=Molberg;7488698]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Thanks 7dee2 and Molberg, Molberg its nice to see you on the forum again!

I still "creep" the forums. No section for Nova restoration on this site. Lol
Posted via Mobile Device

Actually there is, the folder is called Alternate Tinkerings.

[mcbassin]

Nice progress on the cab repair. You doing a some killer work. Keep it up!

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Nice progress on the cab repair. You doing a some killer work. Keep it up!

Thank you Mike!

[swamp rat]

Ok so i don't mind saying the lower A Pillar is fighting me a little, i noticed when i tightened everything up with the 4 bolts that it pushed the inner kick panel in about 1/4" (picture) So that and the fact that i could see a little gap at the outer flange when held together without the A pillar told me my outer flanges needed to be massaged out a little with a hammer and dolly, I did that and got everything realigned without the A pillar real nice when holding everything together with bolts.

But now when i bolt up the A pillar it still pushes the Inner kick panel in about 1/8" maybe a little less, I don't want stress on that weld because it could start to crack after the repair is done.

The original A pillar has a bit of a joggle in it to account for the thickness of the inner kick panel, so far try as i might i have not been able to get the A pillar close enough...... Yet... This is the Tabco A Pillar so its a bit thicker than the black one..

Debating if i should just add a couple body washers into the mix to see if i can fudge the alignment...

I have the floor section flanged so with the exception of a few places i cant flange that will be butt welded, Have to do the final massage on the flanges to get everything straightened out and flat,

[swamp rat]

Had to step away for a couple days, just too much on my plate..

Back at it a little before work again..

I got the A pillar massaged about as good as i can get it, first two pictures are unbolted, looks great without the A pillar. 3rd pic, bolted up pulls the inner kick panel out of alignment. 4th pic, bolted up after some more fitting and adjusting its hopefully close enough.

[swamp rat]

I just hope i have the length of the A pillar close enough, DD1 has this pic on his build thread with the 7.5 dim, I'm within 1/8" but also a little concerned about making sure its in proper alignment.

[7dee2]

I would agree with that measurement Mike here is another.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

I would agree with that measurement Mike here is another.

Thanks for the pic, would you say the large hole is suppose to be split in half by the leading (front) edge of the A pillar then? If that's the case i may be off a bit? I'll have to check.

[7dee2]

I took this shot right before we started to cut out the rot as a reference. You have some wiggle room in this area as it is behind the fender and there is enough material to adjust the hole if required for panel fitment.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

I took this shot right before we started to cut out the rot as a reference. You have some wiggle room in this area as it is behind the fender and there is enough material to adjust the hole if required for panel fitment.

I'm probably a little more concerned about how the outer rocker is going to lay on the A pillar section I replaced.

[swamp rat]

Am i correct in assuming that the lower A pillar needs to be trimmed up so it does not interfere with where the bottom of the inner and outer rocker get spot welded together?

The bottom of the fender is going to need to be spaced outward about 3/16" from the hole to match the outer rocker.

[swamp rat]

Got a lot done today, Its beginning to look like a truck again, for a little while anyway.

Got everything fitted into place and secured with the exception of sheet metal screws along the top of the rocker. I need to verify that the outer rocker is in fact resting flat on the inner rocker along the length but ran out of daylight.

Have the door aligned as good as its gonna get, the back edge is consistent at about 3/16" like it was before tear down.

Front fender is aligned well with the front of the door, gap is a little wider than was there before, thats a good thing, still a touch less than at the rear..

Body lines look real good.

The only place I'm not happy with right now is the gap along the lower edge of the door, its wider at the front than in the back, and no wiggle room with the door to make it up. I tried to unscrew the back and lower it but the back is resting on the inner rocker, not sure about the front.

The front of the rocker will need some pie cuts to lay into the A pillar correctly, or i just fill it with seam sealer. (LOL)

I'm thinking 3 possible scenarios:

1) I may have to trim more off the Lower A pillar and raise the whole floor a little in the front.
2) Possibly just raise the outer rocker but this may create too much gap between the inner and outer rocker.
3) weld in some filler rod along the the bottom of the door.


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[ryanroo]

looks good! i had to cut and tweak the drivers side rocker for mine too. the passenger seemed to lay in better

[7dee2]

Looking good!