Rat repair.

[swamp rat]

ON the driver side when I installed the outer rocker I just pulled the bottom in and spot welded it in place doing so pulled the rocker surface inward and I had to fill with bondo.

Looking at this side I think a better solution will be to do some "adjustment" to the flange at the rear, a little stretch about 1" from the door line, then a pie cut and re weld down lower to get the outer rocker contour closer to the stock cab corner.

1st pic not pulled in, 2nd pic pulled in, 3rd pic not pulled in.

If you had to do an adjustment in this area this can you enlighten me on what you did?

In the hustle for the holiday, may not be getting a whole lot done for the next week.

Happy Thanksgiving!

.

[Vic1947]

Your last photo highlights the problem the best. It appears the rocker isn't formed with the angle needed to match the pinch flange. At this point, I'd try to insert something thin and sturdy at the bend as a stop. Then see if you can gently move the flange that's hanging down, upward and in by using a 1x4 block on a floor jack. With the rocker already welded in place elsewhere, your options are limited.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Your last photo highlights the problem the best. It appears the rocker isn't formed with the angle needed to match the pinch flange. At this point, I'd try to insert something thin and sturdy at the bend as a stop. Then see if you can gently move the flange that's hanging down, upward and in by using a 1x4 block on a floor jack. With the rocker already welded in place elsewhere, your options are limited.

There is always the option to go buy a different outer rocker, at least this time i can inspect before i buy it. especially as this one is only screwed in place thus far.. I'll fiddle with it a bit and see what i can come up with.

[7dee2]

My C10 project had a similar issue, ours got a pie cut to make it fit.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

My C10 project had a similar issue, ours got a pie cut to make it fit.

That's a big slice of pie! I'm hoping I'll be able to do a couple small relief cuts in that rear flange and carefully bend a conture into the lower part to match the cab corner, then bend the flange to align with the inner rocker. Who knows, I may have to do the same after I'm done! We'll see, but first massive house cleaning before Thanks Giving because I'm such a slob LOL!

[swamp rat]

Well true to word I haven't touched the Rat this holiday, but I did clean the house for company on Thanksgiving, took care of 90% of the shopping and cooking for T day.

Yesterday I installed a 2" front lift, today the 1" rear blocks on my daily driver 2005 Dakota, then drove it down to get a new set or tires because my current set of Geolanders are almost slicks. They were sold out of my first 2 choices Goodyear Duratrack and BFGK02, ended up pre paying and ordering a set of Goodyear Duratracks In the next size larger than stock, should have them installed around next weekend. Wanted to try something different than Yokohama Geolander and BFG. I have spent a couple weeks researching tires, they required to be an all terrain with the snow 3 mountain peak symbol because my geolander tires were good in fresh snow but not on compact wet snow

[GASoline71]

Mike, what seam sealer are you using on the cab floor and on the rockers?

Gary

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

Mike, what seam sealer are you using on the cab floor and on the rockers?

Gary

I yet again did not realize someone was posting in my thread, I guess I need to talk to a moderator about how to fix this issue....

I was pretty busy so rather than stop at the local body shop I ordered thru Amazon, brand name is Dynatron 552 Brushable Gray Seam Sealer - 1 Quart, easy to work with, just go to the auto parts store and get a bunch of acid brushes to apply it, if the brush bristles are too long just trim them down a bit to make a bit firmer..

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...ler+-+1+Quart+

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=acid+brushes

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

I yet again did not realize someone was posting in my thread, I guess I need to talk to a moderator about how to fix this issue....

I was pretty busy so rather than stop at the local body shop I ordered thru Amazon, brand name is Dynatron 552 Brushable Gray Seam Sealer - 1 Quart, easy to work with, just go to the auto parts store and get a bunch of acid brushes to apply it, if the brush bristles are too long just trim them down a bit to make a bit firmer..

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...ler+-+1+Quart+

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=acid+brushes

No worries Mike! Thanks for the info!

Gary

[saltynuke]

Mike,

Just finished reading the entire build thread so much great information you're putting together. Quick question, is your radiator overflow tank an OEM replacement or just a generic kit?

Thanks,
Shawn

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by saltynuke

Mike,

Just finished reading the entire build thread so much great information you're putting together. Quick question, is your radiator overflow tank an OEM replacement or just a generic kit?

Thanks,
Shawn

Sorry for the delay! I don't think the overflow was ever offered from factory, at least that i'm aware of, so I would say aftermarket.

I got it from Franks Pick-um-ups in Olympia Wa 360-956-7170

Thanks for the comps!

[mcbassin]

Nice progress on the swamp rat Mike.
Don't you love the fit of the replacement sheet metal....

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Nice progress on the swamp rat Mike.
Don't you love the fit of the replacement sheet metal....

I know enough about tool and die, if I had a machine shop including a punch press i'd try to make new dies..

[swamp rat]

So no posts for a while, a lot on the plate again, were in the middle of a deep freeze too, at least for around here, been rearranging my garage a bit so its been a mess.

The reason for the garage rearrangement is finding out that my next door neighbor who moved in about August is not only a registered sex offender but currently under house arrest and has a track record that consists of assault, kidnapping, theft, possession of stolen property along with others.. great.....

rearranging the garage consists of finding ways to start locking tool's up so they are not laying allover the garage hopefully in an attempt to avoid a smash and grab scenario.

I as mentioned decided to install a 2" lift front, 1" lift back on my daily driver before I reshoed it for winter, my tires were shot, I ordered one size larger than stock and had to wait a week for the tires, got them mounted and drove it home with no rubbing, took it to get a front end alignment the next day and it started rubbing while turning on certain situations, wtf... I remedied that with the dotco and a rotary file and trimmed the plastic down a little.

Hope to get back on the rat soon.

[coopdog]

keep up the good work man

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by coopdog

keep up the good work man

Hey Coop glad to hear from you! Hope the Camino is doing well!

I admit things get a little busy this time of year so the rat gets put on the back burner but I hope to get back at it soon. We had about 2-3" of snow Thursday night, then it started to rain in the morning, all 3 of my car covers were about ready to give way from the weight of the snow and water, I should have taken pictures but I figured saving my cheap canvas roofs would take priority.

[Dean'smeanmachine]

Looking Great!! Awesome work and attention to detail!

[swamp rat]

Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Hope to get back at it soon, have some in the garage work lined up so won't be under the cover for a bit, just got to get past the winter crud I have been dealing with.

[DD1]

Hey Mike, why did you decide to go with brush on seam sealer instead of the tube? At least for the cab/firewall joint, wouldn't a tube be better?

Also, where on the rockers get seam sealer? Do you push it in where the rocker meets the cab floor? Anywhere else you suggest adding seam sealer?

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by DD1

Hey Mike, why did you decide to go with brush on seam sealer instead of the tube? At least for the cab/firewall joint, wouldn't a tube be better?

Also, where on the rockers get seam sealer? Do you push it in where the rocker meets the cab floor? Anywhere else you suggest adding seam sealer?

Mainly for ease of application, Seal any seam on both sides, any weld on both sides or any panel join. Per the rockers I don't know if its correct or not but I will put a little on both ends to fill in any small gaps and where the bottom is welded to the inner rocker on the back side, I do also intend to brush the seam sealer along the top where the inner and outer join just below the weather strip lip.

[First c10]

Hey Mike I used the brush on also. I could do a better job of getting it in the gaps and less clumpy.
I seen a video of a shop using brass filler rod and a tig welder. I think in the future I may try that.

[DD1]

Originally Posted by First c10

Hey Mike I used the brush on also. I could do a better job of getting it in the gaps and less clumpy.
I seen a video of a shop using brass filler rod and a tig welder. I think in the future I may try that.

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Mainly for ease of application, Seal any seam on both sides, any weld on both sides or any panel join. Per the rockers I don't know if its correct or not but I will put a little on both ends to fill in any small gaps and where the bottom is welded to the inner rocker on the back side, I do also intend to brush the seam sealer along the top where the inner and outer join just below the weather strip lip.

That's good information from both of you to store away for later. Don't know when I will need to worry about seam sealer, but now I know what to get and the best way to apply it. Thanks!

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by DD1

That's good information from both of you to store away for later. Don't know when I will need to worry about seam sealer, but now I know what to get and the best way to apply it. Thanks!

I first tapped an outline on the floor then used an acid brush and brushed the stuff on, then pulled the tape off before it cured. I also hear you can wait until it starts to skin over then put in a neoprene glove and with some water smooth it out, I also heard of using something like alcohol but didn't try it being as its all not going to be seen. I guess you could use the tube and a brush but my luck with tubes is use it once and it clogs the tube nozzle because I cant get it sealed up tight.

I also filled the gaps between the inner kick panel and floor as good as I possibly could.

[DD1]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

I first tapped an outline on the floor then used an acid brush and brushed the stuff on, then pulled the tape off before it cured. I also hear you can wait until it starts to skin over then put in a neoprene glove and with some water smooth it out, I also heard of using something like alcohol but didn't try it being as its all not going to be seen. I guess you could use the tube and a brush but my luck with tubes is use it once and it clogs the tube nozzle because I cant get it sealed up tight.

I also filled the gaps between the inner kick panel and floor as good as I possibly could.

Makes sense. Unless you are going to use the entire tube in one shot, it does not make sense. And you still have to press it in and smooth it out with a tube; might as well do it from a can.

[swamp rat]

Yet another distraction, 10.5 weeks old and his body from his chest to his hips are easily as long as my shoulders are wide, couldn't pass this guy up. His name is Cooper.