Dabba
1/2 ton status
Yeah thats what i meant, thats what those thick welds are, just wanted to fill the space with slag and grind it down.
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Dabba's First Floor Resto... (Ugh, trying again, Need input! 10/21/12....)
- Thread starter Dabba
- Start date
Jester1
1/2 ton status
Dueling you and your teacher are correct. When I posted was not sure what he was using. It's been a good ten years since I played with flux core.
Looks like you are rocking right along. Keep it up.
Looks like you are rocking right along. Keep it up.
Dabba
1/2 ton status
Getting ready to weld...
So, i cut the new floor to fit, but i either took a little took much from it, or just dont have enough good metal left in the truck.. It fits well but on the rocker side, i have some material missing, I'm thinking of tacking it down to the rocker and getting a thin peice of metal and welding it into the space. Youll see in the photos.. Gonna need help with this one..
The floor as it fits...
And heres my problem area..
What do you guys think? Ill be cleaning that up before i weld of course.
So, i cut the new floor to fit, but i either took a little took much from it, or just dont have enough good metal left in the truck.. It fits well but on the rocker side, i have some material missing, I'm thinking of tacking it down to the rocker and getting a thin peice of metal and welding it into the space. Youll see in the photos.. Gonna need help with this one..
The floor as it fits...
And heres my problem area..
What do you guys think? Ill be cleaning that up before i weld of course.
Jester1
1/2 ton status
Good to hear ya Dabba.
One thing about metal is you can always make it bigger.
Couple questions first.
Are you using an after market floor? If so they almost never fit perfect and require some hand work to fit just right. The reason I ask is in the first pic it appears the may be some puckering next to your hand. If so you may be able to work it down to close the gap. Then tack in place and work it close with hammer, tack and hammer and so on. If not you may need a filler strip.
One thing about metal is you can always make it bigger.
Couple questions first.
Are you using an after market floor? If so they almost never fit perfect and require some hand work to fit just right. The reason I ask is in the first pic it appears the may be some puckering next to your hand. If so you may be able to work it down to close the gap. Then tack in place and work it close with hammer, tack and hammer and so on. If not you may need a filler strip.
Jester1
1/2 ton status
I had to quit looking at pics on phone and get on computer. Next question: Is the panel positioned perfectly or can you slide it closer to the door jamb. I was just looking at the relation of the panel to the relation of the bead in the patch peice. May just be angle of camera. Looks like you have some material to work with in order to close the gap.
Also as you weld, the metal is going to move so you almost want to stitch it into place and let it cool between trigger pulls. Keep the hammer and dolly close so you can work it as you weld.
Also as you weld, the metal is going to move so you almost want to stitch it into place and let it cool between trigger pulls. Keep the hammer and dolly close so you can work it as you weld.
Dabba
1/2 ton status
Yeah its an aftermarket floor from LMC, and the metal is a little dented here and there but its pretty good. ITs snugged against the door jam yeah, i had to grind it down a bit to get it close.
Do yourself a big favor and get some gas and don't use flux core for body work...it's only about 100 times easier and cleaner.
Dabba
1/2 ton status
Don't have the cash 
when your doing a lapjoint with plug welds an important thing is to make sure the pieces are tight together... especially if ya haven't stepped a lip... reminder for clamping/screwing/rivets..
not quite figureing out where that problem area is, maybe from the same angle back a bit.. but anyway, it looks to me as if the original lip is bent and once straightened would tighten up the gap? little hammer and dolley work?
obviously patches can always be made, just be aware sometimes it's best to cut/grind/plan for them before welding anything.. or at least having a rough idea of what your gonna do...
if your going with flux, plan on it taking a bit longer than with gas... you really need to take your time, have a welding brush handy to keep things clean... plug welds ain't bad, but beyond that it gets messier and more difficult...
not quite figureing out where that problem area is, maybe from the same angle back a bit.. but anyway, it looks to me as if the original lip is bent and once straightened would tighten up the gap? little hammer and dolley work?
obviously patches can always be made, just be aware sometimes it's best to cut/grind/plan for them before welding anything.. or at least having a rough idea of what your gonna do...
if your going with flux, plan on it taking a bit longer than with gas... you really need to take your time, have a welding brush handy to keep things clean... plug welds ain't bad, but beyond that it gets messier and more difficult...
Dabba
1/2 ton status
Thank ryoken, the problem area is the gap in the metal in the second photo, and thats bending the floor down a bit. I'm sure what i should do with that, besides getting a think sliver of metal and trying to weld in on there. And clamps.. I have C clamps but kinda realizing they won't work on the inside welds.. Kinda wondering how to clamp em together now Dont really have rivets.. Putting holes in the floor with screws doesnt seem the best.. Leaves openings for rust?
nah, do it like i mentioned earlier... drill a 1/8 or so hole for like a #8 selftapping panhead screw, thru both panels pushing down... then take the patch out and drill that hole one size up so the screw spins in it so it doesn't bind.. screw together.. do your plug welds, THEN TAKE EACH SCREW OUT AND FILL THE HOLE WITH MIG......
you'd do the same with rivets, just in there temp till welded...
you'd do the same with rivets, just in there temp till welded...
Dabba
1/2 ton status
Ahhhh, i see. Thanks. I'll check out my local hardware store for em. What do you think about that small gap i have? I was thinking about getting a small rectangular peice and tacking it under the rocker.. then finishing up the weld on the outside and grind it all smooth.
that's fine.. just take a small scrap of sheetmetal and bend it into an angle in a vice and put it behind... just try make sure things are tight, probably gonna need a couple screws to hold that one tight, not much clamp capability.... and plan where your going to weld before hand.. if the small patch has some larger areas, plug weld em...
everything should be fitted, screwed, marked for plugs, disassemble, drill holes, quick fit, grind EVERYTHING, weld prime the 2 inners of the sandwich, dry, screw together, weld, grind, prime, seamseal, paint, wheel with dry sneakers...
everything should be fitted, screwed, marked for plugs, disassemble, drill holes, quick fit, grind EVERYTHING, weld prime the 2 inners of the sandwich, dry, screw together, weld, grind, prime, seamseal, paint, wheel with dry sneakers...
Dabba
1/2 ton status
Hahahha, good order of things... Ill keep that as a checklist. Im not good with the little things gence my little screwups thus far but ill do my best
Dabba
1/2 ton status
Houston, we have a problem...
So, I wanted to be done with the priming, welding, and sealing today, but that didn't happen. Only got around to welding in the panel, going to have to grind/prime and seal tommorow. I do have a problem though... The ourside of the new panel is raised, or i dun goofed, but it doesnt fit near the door. Its about an inch and a half off the outside of the frame support, and about the same off the rocker. I don't know what to do about the frame support, i guess on the outside it will just be loose, the inside support i was able to tac it underneath...
For the rocker/foor area.. i was just gonna weld in a plate behind it, joining the rocker and floor. I'm not really sure how well this is going to work out, its going to be tight. Suggestions are most welcome.
Progress so far...
And here's my problem area... Don't really know what the hell to do with this haha...
(Yeah, the patch has a crappy weld :\ )
And heres the view of the support and space between the patch and wall.
Not only is there a space, but its raised about an inch and half of the support, its hard to see.
Thanks guys.
So, I wanted to be done with the priming, welding, and sealing today, but that didn't happen. Only got around to welding in the panel, going to have to grind/prime and seal tommorow. I do have a problem though... The ourside of the new panel is raised, or i dun goofed, but it doesnt fit near the door. Its about an inch and a half off the outside of the frame support, and about the same off the rocker. I don't know what to do about the frame support, i guess on the outside it will just be loose, the inside support i was able to tac it underneath...
For the rocker/foor area.. i was just gonna weld in a plate behind it, joining the rocker and floor. I'm not really sure how well this is going to work out, its going to be tight. Suggestions are most welcome.
Progress so far...
And here's my problem area... Don't really know what the hell to do with this haha...
(Yeah, the patch has a crappy weld :\ )
And heres the view of the support and space between the patch and wall.
Not only is there a space, but its raised about an inch and half of the support, its hard to see.
Thanks guys.
Dabba
1/2 ton status
edit
Last edited:
Don't sell it man give it a few days and you'll feel better. One of my last wheeling rigs had rust like this and I riveted galvanized flashing to the floor and herculined it. It looked fine and worked great it stayed like that for a year or two then I swapped cabs. Don't junk the project because of some rot. Get the guts of the truck working right and how you want then fuss with the body. Once you start wheeling the body will melt off anyway 
Dabba
1/2 ton status
I mean I don't have time to do it right now, its getting cold out and I don't have a shop to work in. I ****ed up the floor panel i have so either i sell it or I wait till spring with it. I basically have to start over again. Once snow hits the ground I'm effed. The Floor LMC sent me either isnt straight or i more likely ****ed it up, All the welds Popped trying to bend the damn thing down, i have space on the outside i have no idea what to do with, and No matter what i do, i can't get most of it to clamp tight to re-weld it. Its just a ****ing mess. :\
Dabba
1/2 ton status
Okay, I can't sell it. Don't have it in me. I'm ordering a new floor from LMC and trying again.. Damn the attachment i have to this thing. Its going to drive me crazy and make me poor. Just as bad a woman 
haha
Ripped the old floor up, ordering new one from LMC now, i grinded and reprimed it while it sits, should i fill those little holes or can i throw the new panel right over them? Ill be priming and painting the underside too so..
hahaRipped the old floor up, ordering new one from LMC now, i grinded and reprimed it while it sits, should i fill those little holes or can i throw the new panel right over them? Ill be priming and painting the underside too so..
Chill out for a minute man and clear your heaf lol. Its just floor repair, no reason to get worked up over it. Nothin ever turns out good when u dont feel u can do it. Just start weldin get a hammet out and make stuff fit. If u just need it temporary just slap some metal in and call it good for now. U dont need the whole lmc floor panel. Just some sheet metal and a hammer and grinder.
