my build up - rust, clearance, and protection (1 Viewer)

[Senor Aguas]

The mechanicals on my rig are close to where I want them. Over the last few weeks, a friend and I have been working on the body. Here's the plan: Metal Tech tube fenders Bud Built 3/16" quarter panels 2.5" 3/16" walled tube for rear sill CCOT reproduction wheel wells homemade bumper with tire carrier Northwest Metal Products rear fuel tank to replace under seat tank sliders--either homemade or metal tech. First off, pics of the rust. Believe it or not, the floor is in really good shape over the entire tub.

 

[Senor Aguas]

wheel wells

why the wheel wells need replaced or repaired.

 

[Senor Aguas]

metal tech fenders

started with the metal tech fenders. this is an intimidating kit, but its not too bad once you get over the fear. But, we're not done yet either...

 

[Senor Aguas]

more metal tech fenders

more metal tech fenders. We're not done trimming the aprons.

 

[Senor Aguas]

PO modifications...

Then the project went toward removing the high clearance, really heavy, home made receiver hitch that one of the previous owners welded to the frame and rear crossmember. It took a couple hours to remove all this and its still not completely gone. The rear fuel tank wouldn't fit with this hitch installed.

 

[Senor Aguas]

bracing up for the quartpanel removal...

we didn't want the body to change shape too much. Note: I wish I'd braced a little better, because the tub gets really flimsy with no quarters. Oh yeah, and we had the wheel wells out too.

 

[Senor Aguas]

quarter panels

Here's where we started yesterday. We cut off the end of the sill before positioning the quarter panel. Notice the 1/2" gap at the rear of the quarter panel. We planned to tack it up and use a torch to bend it into place.

 

[Hogan]

Nice work please keep the updates coming.

 

[Senor Aguas]

Bud built quarter panel installation

After a lot of trimming with a cut off wheel and grinder, I tacked the quarter panel in place. We did no trimming on the quarter panel. Also, we never needed the torch. We used a big c-clamp to close the gap, then tacked it on. With "sheet metal" this thick, you don't really have to worry about warping. Burn through wasn't a problem either even though I was welding it to the stock 16 gauge. I haven't welded that much in a long time, if ever. My friend worked on the other side while I burned it in. We were both really impressed with the fitment of the bud built quarter panels. For the most part, you won't be able to tell that they are there (unless you're looking for them). The stock body line feathers into nothing at the rear. The way we fit these quarter panels, that body line will continue all the way and stop at the rear doors. It will also be a little more pronounced.

 

[Senor Aguas]

Oh, one thing I would change... I wish we'd done one quarter panel at a time. Removing them both made the tub kinda flexible.

 

[Senor Aguas]

I'm thinking I'll cut the lower 2" off the rockers so I can build the sliders up higher. What do you think? Any pointers?

 

[Gus]

Do it now while your doing all this body work, it's worth the clearance you'll gain.

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

looking good!

did you get your quarters flush with the top rail? im about to throw my bud built quarters on and cant tell if thats possible.

 

[tlc_4play]

You are doing nice work ! ! looking better and better

 

[Senor Aguas]

looking good!

did you get your quarters flush with the top rail? i'm about to throw my bud built quarters on and cant tell if that's possible.

We cut the original quarters to exactly where the rail corner is (cut it short and then ground up to it). The new quarters do stick out more, but I don't think it will be noticeable. The edge of the new quarters will form the rail (after grinding the welds). So that edge will just be more pronounced that it was originally. Hopefully we'll be able to get a nice edge on there after grinding.

If you wanted to sink the quarters to sit perfectly flush, it would be a lot more work. The quarters sit against part of that top rail channel (on the inside of the tub). I guess a strip of that channel would have to be taken cut out and welded back together. Or cut off and replaced with angle.

 

[Senor Aguas]

sketch

hopefully this will show how I fit the new quarter panel to the rail.

 

[cruiserjunkie]

Looking good bud built makes some tough stufff

 

[Senor Aguas]

removed sill, cut rocker

Here's where we welded on the other panel and removed the sill. Then, there's me cutting 2" off the rocker. The plan is to weld in a 2.5 square tube.

 

[Senor Aguas]

new rear sill

2.5" square tube, 3/16 walled with angle iron welded on. The angle is offset to allow the floor sheet metal to sit flush. The sill is the same width as the rear crossmember (no wings).

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

looks good! planning on welding my passenger side back up tomorrow with the buds and paco wheel wells. only part im really nervous about is the rear corner channels just to make sure fitment is as good as stock. any suggestions for that piece?