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Ordered bus built rear quarter panels for the 40. What do u guys recommend? Cut out original panels and weld in the thick ones or weld bb panels over originals? I guess a third option is to bolt them over the original panels as well.
My thoughts would be to just completely remove existing panels then weld in new ones. More work and hate to cut up a good body but it eliminates rust forming between the panels.
Suggestions ? Comments ?
Ramon, Jon
How far back is ur axle with 55 springs compared to stock? Would love to increase the wheel base. I suppose I would have to modify the opening of the panels if I did that. I don't want to do the comp cut though. Want to keep it as stock looking as possible.
Del.
I would do it the hard way and cut out the old ones.
I would then transfer the factory opening back farther to make it look clean / stock.
Some people say that bolting the panels on is the way to go. It protects your tub if you have good quarter panels and you can take them off every couple of years to clean / repaint between.
I would weld them on, take off the old ones first. .
Even if bolted on and sealed up, I think it would be a rust trap here in the east.
Here are some pics of quarters that I made and installed a while ago. I'd took a lot of pics of that project and could send you some more. Would be similar to install Bud Built.
http://www.ih8mud.com/tech/rust.php
Brace up the body before you cut it apart. It's a good idea to leave the doors on. Also very important to measure from the lip of rear tub to lip of ws frame. Tack it all together before you start welding and make sure the top still fits before you burn it all together.
Use .023 or .025 wire and argon mix. The smaller wire works like a resistor and keeps the heat under control and you can weld a little slower. I don't run a bead on sheet metal, just put down a stick of red hot or tic tac sized spots about an inch long. Put down one spot weld and wait for it to stop glowing in your mask and then another just past it. Have about 1 cm of stick out almost touching the metal. Point the wire into the joint and keep at about 90. As you get further down the stick you will have to wait longer as the weldment gets hotter and the heat affected zone grows larger. Use a regular welding mask not a auto darken. Once you put down an inch of spots go to the furthest point and weld an inch there to go the middle. Do not cool the welds with a wet rag or compressed air. If below freezing pre-heat with propane. Don't let the heat affected zone get larger than 3/4 of an inch max. If you do all of that, you should have minimal warpage. Have fun!
IIRC 55 springs move your axle back 2"
