Gas filler patch panel availability/vendor

[C5Phil]

I'm looking for a patch panel for the area around the gas filler- I have already moved my gas tank to under the bed and when I went to weld in the filler hole patch found panel damage and gobs of bondo in and around that area- so does anyone make a repair panel that goes from about 2 inches above filler hole to 8-10" below-- ??? Any info. would be a great help- This forum rocks!!!

[fishingjred73]

Best thing to do is search the classifieds for somebody cutting up a cab get a patch from them.

[C5Phil]

yeah that's what I was thinking-- long shot hope that someone out there was making something close-- thanks for your advice--

[Tmwoodall]

I made a mess of mine years ago with bad equipment and lack of know-how. The other day I cut it out square and made a patch. It was easier than trying to cut a circle and patch the original mess I made. It was pretty easy to shape the patch with a flap disc once I cut it out.

Just a thought...

[re1]

Check this out

www.infantimachine.com

[C5Phil]

Originally Posted by Tmwoodall

I made a mess of mine years ago with bad equipment and lack of know-how. The other day I cut it out square and made a patch. It was easier than trying to cut a circle and patch the original mess I made. It was pretty easy to shape the patch with a flap disc once I cut it out.

Just a thought...

sounds like the way to go- tell me more about "shaping" with a flap disc-- I'm new to mig welding/metal shaping-- anything more complicated than flat welding work I need advice--

[Tmwoodall]

Originally Posted by C5Phil

sounds like the way to go- tell me more about "shaping" with a flap disc-- I'm new to mig welding/metal shaping-- anything more complicated than flat welding work I need advice--

As am I. The gas filler was my first go at things with my new mig welder (besides a bit of practice). I cut out the old metal, and in hindsight wish I had made a contiguous cut as it could have been used as my template for the new metal.

Anyways, use the old metal, or make a template with some cardstock. Trace it on to your new metal (I used 18 Guage). And then hold it into place or use some butt weld clamps if you have them. If not, I HIGHLY recommend you get some. HF has sets of 8 for around 10 bucks or you can buy them from Eastwood if that's more your style. Though HF is far cheaper, for what seems to be the same exact product (I own the Eastwood clamps).

Anyways cut it and start holding it into place with magnets, tape, butt clamps, whatever. If it doesn't fit in perfectly (you want very little gap, if not a perfectly mated butt joint with no more than a hair wide gap).

For places it was close but not quite right I used the flap disc on my grinder to get it right. Way easier to get it close than a grinding disc, or cut off wheel, etc. I just held it in my hand or in a bench vise and went at it with the flap disc. Tiny bits at a time so I didn't go to far. Lots of back and forth between the bench and the cab to see how close it was.

That is a lot of words to say, cut it, and fine tune it with a flap disc. It really isn't that bad, if I can do it anyone can.

[Tmwoodall]

My saga, of getting it right: http://tomthetruck.blogspot.com/2012...ing-about.html

[C5Phil]

Originally Posted by Tmwoodall

My saga, of getting it right: http://tomthetruck.blogspot.com/2012...ing-about.html

I'll give it a try- thanks for your advice and patience.....folks on this forum are GREAT!!!