How Do I Fill This ?

[magwakeenercew2jh]

I know the correct answer must be to have a good body guy make a patch, weld it in, grind the welds, and finish it off properly.

But for now, since I hit my "budget mark", I'm going to run in pre-body-paint rat rod style for a while.

I know I've opened myself up for some flames, here. Because doing it right is always the correct answer. But I'm looking for a mid-term fix so, just in case I get caught in the rain, etc!

I've figured out that a wad of aluminum foil is too cobby, and a big sticker or decal is a little too hi-profile...Oh, oh! Maybe "Moons".....

Seriously, what is this? A CB radio antenna mount hole?

I could use some tips.

[allengator]

I dont know how to fix it... but I can tell you that was the base for a whip antenna... couldve been CB, or fire/police

[Stock72c10]

Fill it with toothpaste

[78bronzechariot]

A hole that big can only be fixed by welding in a patch. Trying to "bondo" it would be a disaster and won't last any length of time. A "cheap" fix if you don't have access to a welder would be to get a fiberglass patch kit. It won't look pretty but it will cover the hole, but eventually surface rust will creep from the from the inside and it will come off.

[Shyguy]

It won't be prutty, but metal tape will do the trick to keep the water out, the kind that is used on ventilation ducting.

Now if you were an ole farm boy like me, a beer can, a pair of shears, some silicon and a few sheetmetal screws would do the trick, lol.

How about an antenna.

Just throwing out suggestions.

[Pop's C-10]

Cut a piece of thin sheet metal(for inside tha cab), coat it with JB weld...screw it from tha outside to pull it up flush with tha inside of tha cab..let it set....grind tha screw heads off..put a thin coat of bondo over it..

[Shyguy]

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

Cut a piece of thin sheet metal(for inside tha cab), coat it with JB weld...screw it from tha outside to pull it up flush with tha inside of tha cab..let it set....grind tha screw heads off..put a thin coat of bondo over it..

Now, this sounds even better than my ideas. I will have to remember it.

[SactoJim]

I think the problem here is access from behind......there is none. Gonna have to cut a piece of metal the same size and shape as the hole and use magnets to hold in place while you tack it.

[John Gilbert]

I have a hole exactly like that on the side of the Americruise truck. I used that silver tin tape back in '08, and its still good. For the smaller holes, I used orange silicone. It keeps the water out, and it gives my friends something to complain about.

[67swb72klb]

u are on the rite track just countersink the area and do it all from the outside the jb will work fine

[Papaloo]

If that cab is from a C20 Camper Special, it could have been a 12v jack for plugging in the camper. I bought the roof off a C20 cab to graft onto my cab and it had a power jack there.

[piecesparts]

Access is possible, but it is slightly complicated. You can fit the metal into the cavity down below that point and bring it up to the hole from there.

What I would do form a piece of sheet metal to the shape of the cab from the outside to get it the right size and shape. Then I would weld a small piece of welding rod to it in the center of the large hole and make the piece into a small loop or hook. Then I would run a small chain into the hole and feed it down to the opening below. This will then be attached to the loop on the metal piece and that would allow you to pull it up to the opening in your cab. There are metal glue materials on the market that allows you to glue sheetmetal parts onto others and they work quite well for attaching fender pieces or metal pieces to fill door handle holes. that is what I would do here. Coat the metal patch with this material and pull it up to the hole and seal it to the inside of the cab. (You will have to have something to attach the chain to and hold the metal piece solid for a period until cure time is complete) After it cures, then grind off the metal loop and finish with a body putty for smoothness. That would do the whole thing without any welding or warping the metal. This would probably take only an afternoon to accomplish. The body filler will be the next day's project.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

How great. I'm going to use a combo of all those. First, I'm gonna cover it with metal tape. For the moment. Then, I'm going to make a patch and do the "weld a handle/hook on it. I think I'll try to make the patch with some sheet metal "starter" holes to match up with the three holes.

I'll run some chain or twine or? down between the inner roof and the roof. I'll coat the "patch" with something-or-other that maybe you guys can line out specifically.

I'll pull the coated patch up thru and hold the "handle while I draw it tight with the screws. Then I'll leave it until I can get someone who can do the body work to fill and grind (the screw heads) and then clean iy ip for a shot of primer.

If I did that part, it would look like this when I was done:


Thanks, everyone.

[powerdriver 1958]

If thats the standard whip antennae , Radio shack used to sell rubber plugs to cover the holes

[tcb-1]

screw that! put a whip back on her, throw an old school Cobra 40 channel under the dash, and make up a handle.

problem solved!

[piecesparts]

I would skip the screws, if you get a good chemical weld material, it will come out of the holes and help crate a sealer/pin effect to hold it.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

I would skip the screws, if you get a good chemical weld material, it will come out of the holes and help crate a sealer/pin effect to hold it.

Okay. Will do. Thanks.

[gkesseru]

Any of these methods will make it harder to fix it the right way later. Really, how expensive would it be just to get someone to weld it up now, cover it with some paint, and finish the pretty body work later?

[Hezie]

X2

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by gkesseru

Any of these methods will make it harder to fix it the right way later. Really, how expensive would it be just to get someone to weld it up now, cover it with some paint, and finish the pretty body work later?

You're right. But I'm still reeling from my "It'll take me six weeks" that turned into fifty weeks a few years ago. The truck isn't on the road now and likely won't be until mid-summer.

Maybe I just want to fix it at home...But maybe the best thing to do is find a plug or tape it up until I find someone honest. That's a looooong look around here when it comes to body work.

I don't know. It's just great to have some options. On the home-fix, I came up with an idea. Why not use a chunk of threaded stock. ...like 1/4-20....for the handle.
Then, when it's pulled thru, use that with a short plate outside and thread it down to use as a "snugging device. When the stickum sets, "Off with the thread!"

Of course, you are right on. As I said first, the right (correct) answer is always to do it right the first time. I haven't learned my le$$on after 40-some years of doing this stuff. Best not start now.

My motto: (especially when doing electrical) When changing out parts to diagnose a gremlin, start with the most expensive part first..

That mentality has given me quite a few completely new electrical systems. And kept me fairly broke.

[chipflyer]

I would do what Doug said, here you go whip antenna

[gkesseru]

If you lived near me I'd weld it for free just because I like anyone who has a 67-72. Any forum members with a welder live near this guy?