Mmmm Ribs (attn coolerman)

[uted]

Disclaimer: I have no trade qualifications of any description at all, I'm sure there are better ways to do the following, but this is how i did it using what tools i had available




Ok so i was asked to explain in detail how i did the floor in my cruiser. Well i,m a one finger typer so that would take me a year. by the time i get half way through typing something i have forgotten what it is i was going to say
Anyway so i took pictures of how i did it. but you will laugh when you see how very low tech here.

The reason for the request

Now keep in mind that i did this fairly quickly so is a bit rough

Tools i used. With a bit of imagination I'm sure you could come up with better options. i just use what I've got

I started by making a templates of the desired shape, one for the inner edge and one for the outer.

using the smaller template mark out your steel, Then i go around the end curve with a screw driver giving it a good firm whack with the hammer. Do this on a piece of carpet so there is a bit of give under the steel. the piece of carpet I'm using is folded in half to make it a bit thicker

Then go up the sides, i use an old wood chisel for this or a brick bolster. you may need to go up each side a couple of times just to get things even

and you should end up with something like this

Next bit is a bit hard to explain.
turn the steel over so that the indentation is up (like in previous pic) This is where the lines on the templates come in handy.
Lay the small template back on the steel and mark lines on the steel in the the same place as the ones on the template. Like so

This is just to help line up the larger template

 

[uted]

Large template lined up with lines on steel. This is optional if you have a good eye. Just helps to keep things lined up

Next. Using the screwdriver and chisel go around the mark from the larger template. you should be working on the opposite side to which you started with
and should end up with some thing like this

Now it's just a matter of going back over where you have already beaten,
swapping front to back until you end up with something like this. think it took me about four goes each side on this particular one. some need more some need less

piece of steel used in this example is 1.6 mm galvanized

How i did the dimple for the rubber grommets in the floor.
sockets . same method small socket one side then larger socket on other, until your happy with the result

So that's how i did it. hope that it's easy to understand and that you get something out of it.
Took me about an hour to do this including taking pics. is a fairly tedious process but with a bit of practice you can get fairly good results

Cheers Steve

 

[Coolerman]

I get it fine! Damn, that is simple. The good things always are though right?

The next Cruiser I attempt to repair, I'll try that method. I really appreciate the sharing of fabrication knowledge, not many will.

 

[Degnol]

What thickness is the sheetmetal you used?


Ed

 

[Coolerman]

Bottom of Post #2, 1.5mm or <14 ga > 16 ga. 15 gauge?

 

[3DAMAN!]

Exellent post!
This kind of "do it yourself" craftsmanship sharing, is what this site is all about.
Clear ,consise, simple
Thanks for the quality pictures too!









We need more articles like this........................

 

[krzyabncanuck]

I will have to remember this also, might need it one day soon.

 

[Eshu Elegua]

No money + spare time + few tools = great do it yourself imagination ..

Who said that Ih8mUd its not our second University

 

[jimhendrixx]

DUde, really nice work, i will try this on my fj55.

 

[nuclearlemon]

absolutely beautiful...thanks for the tutorial

 

[lostmarbles]

Goes to show that you often don't need fancy/expensive tools to do a great job.

The really important thing is knowing exactly what you want to achieve, taking care, and finding the ways of getting there that are least likely to "go wrong" using the tools/equipment at your disposal!

 

[thecrazygreek]

Thank you so much.

Great instructions, I WILL be using this method soon...

 

[ironpig4x4]

This is an excellent technique. Going to try this myself... Would be nice if there were a set of dies that could be used to get the same results. I'm thinking a pair for the radiused ends and a pair for the straight sections. I'm sure someone with a mill or access to a mill could make these sets relatively easily.

Guess there are a couple of differen't size ribs though, so maybe more than two pairs of dies would be needed....

 

[thecrazygreek]

I have created a set of "dies" for this job. I used 2" and 2.5" pipe cut in half for the ends. And a 4" wide chisel similar to the one pictured above. I have only practiced with it, but am getting great results so far.

 

[sls019]

This is very good fab tech! Great job and thanks for sharing with the rest of us. I will be trying this soon when i tackle the inside of my tub.

 

[uted]

I have created a set of "dies" for this job. I used 2" and 2.5" pipe cut in half for the ends. And a 4" wide chisel similar to the one pictured above. I have only practiced with it, but am getting great results so far.

glad it's working for you. got a pic of the dies you made.

Thanx everyone for your comments
Here's a pic of how the body has turned out so far on my cruiser. Still has a long way to go

 

[johmbie]

Awesome job! I hope my wife doesn't see this: she'll know I'm lyin' when I tell her I need all these fancy new body tools!

On question: what wood did you use for the two templates? Looks like 1/4" luan floor underlayment. Is that right?

 

[uted]

Thanx mate.
Don't worry i've bought plenty of new tools too. You just got to have them
Templates are just thin cardboard, eg cereal box

 

[ironpig4x4]

good idea on the half-pipes--a die that I could even make. Thanks!.

really getting excited about trying to re-build my tub on my own now. I pretty much need to re-do every square inch of panel and just about all the support channels. Can't afford to buy all the panels from CCOT or Real Steel--at least not all at once. A combination of home-made and bought pieces may be the way to go....

 

[richardsc]

thats awsome,great write up,will have to try that