Welder for Body Mount Chop

[mundra]

Thank you for all the advice. I did go ahead and do some of the cuts myself to stop the full lock to lock rub. I have not tackled the job of welding yet... I am running it opened for now. I have been watching welding videos as I have a Tundra that will need it done at some point as well and by that time I will have $300 into BMC. But right now the Tundra don't need it as it don't rub at all. I am just preparing for that one that is why I bought the plates as well.

 

[jiggletits]

You weren’t actually getting 11 mpg and 180 range… the computer gets thrown off as soon as you put larger tires on.

I'm running 4.88s, 35" tires with the speedometer calibrated and verified on GPS. It is accurate. 11 MPG, 180-200 miles the fuel light is on. Talkin' bout my Tundra.

 

[URJ150L]

I'm running 4.88s, 35" tires with the speedometer calibrated and verified on GPS. It is accurate. 11 MPG, 180-200 miles the fuel light is on. Talkin' bout my Tundra.

I stand corrected

 

[dbbowen]

Thank you for all the advice. I did go ahead and do some of the cuts myself to stop the full lock to lock rub. I have not tackled the job of welding yet... I am running it opened for now. I have been watching welding videos as I have a Tundra that will need it done at some point as well and by that time I will have $300 into BMC. But right now the Tundra don't need it as it don't rub at all. I am just preparing for that one that is why I bought the plates as well.

A buddy of mine ran his body mount open for months with no issues. He finally came and used my welder to cap the mount recently.

 

[jmanscotch]

I started with a Hobart (which I swear something was wrong with) and recently got a Lincoln 140 that I can definitely recommend. A 110VAC MIG unit that’ll handle most DIY tasks and is a good bargain, found locally (big box store) and has parts for it locally.

Harbor Freight cart, bottle of 75/25 gas locally and some Amazon picks for gloves, helmet and such and you’re off.

Clearly, I’m on the “you can watch some YouTube videos, practice plenty and become a perfectly decent hobby welder” side of this debate. Hell, I did my own BMC. I also built some stuff around the house, fixed trailers, built my own off road tear drop trailer (twice) and more. Been welding for 3 years, all self taught from YouTube and practice.

Like others said though, expect closer to $1,000 for all the stuff, for something half decent. Can be done cheaper, and can easily be $3,000+ if you want a nice Miller, TIG combo, 220V, etc.

 

[r2m]

If you go the route of the University of Youtube, when practicing, make sure to try to brake ALL your practice welds. This will help you see what you're doing right/wrong in getting good welds. A good weld with proper penetration will never break at the weld, you should be able bend the material before the weld seam ever breaks.

 

[DRANGED]

Yeah, I correct my earlier comment. This is totally a great DIY proj. The welds aren't critical so it's a fine starter proj. i ended up welding up my exhaust crack afterall, the headers are still in an unknown timeframe, so I just temp-perm tacked up the crack 'for now' It's holding up great and also not a terribly critical weld needed to seal that up.

So yeah, I too stand in the YT DIY, self-taught camp. For critical welds that's different!

cheers.

update(s)??

 

[jiggletits]

Youtube has some great welding videos

 

[CO_Hunter]

It’s not structural, don’t worry about it and as someone else said, a grinder cleans it up. Use weld through primer and/or another way to prime and protect it after you are done. I started with flux cure, went MIG 120 and then 240. Selling my previous machines to help pay for the new one each time. The 240 is definitely the easiest to work with.

Welder has saved me a lot of money over the years on various projects plus it great making your own stuff and fixing neighbors things. It’s an investment like your woodworking tools. My 2 cents.

 

[CO_Hunter]

Just noticed this was an older thread…thanks @DRANGED …