First gen torsion box (rocker box) repair

[CK5]

So, the last 2 first gen Blazer's I looked at had rust repaired in almost the same way. Instead of the torsion box replaced on each side, they were cut out to retain the factory welds I'm guessing? Because I'm seeing a pattern here I'm wondering why etc... Anyone have more to add?

 

[CK5]

1971 K5

 

[CK5]

1972 K5

 

[sponsoredbydad]

Laziness? Lack of knowledge? maybe planning on tubing it back in?

 

[Bent77]

@CK5
Does this mean you found one?

 

[Bent77]

Cut mine out with the torch, thats what was left...

 

[CK5]

@bent72 Why did you cut yours off with a torch? Afterwards did the doors still open properly? Did you leave them that way or graft in new boxes?

 

[NorCal69]

Unless that is caged out, it will taco like my beautiful Mexican lunch.

Don't buy some jackass' wanna be creation of a first gen. Buy a rusty shit box like the rest of us. We all can help you with peeling the onion.

 

[Bent77]

@bent72 Why did you cut yours off with a torch? Afterwards did the doors still open properly? Did you leave them that way or graft in new boxes?

There wasnt much left. I cut the box on both sides out while the top and doors were still on. Left the sides by the frame hanging down a ways

Then using 1" x 1" x .120" angle iron I trussed back to the edge of the door seal. The entire floor was toast, so it received .120" plate

Doors worked as good as before. Over the years the passenger side got kinda wonky, but I kept hitting chit with it

 

[Bent77]

Unless that is caged out, it will taco like my beautiful Mexican lunch.

Don't buy some jackass' wanna be creation of a first gen. Buy a rusty shit box like the rest of us. We all can help you with peeling the onion.

I lost a little snot on that one...

 

[bp71k5]

The boxes tend to collect water, mud, debris down there and so they rust out. My guess is they just cut it out in order to say it's "rust free".

At least with it cut out like that, you can see what the inside looks like instead of it being hidden like normal.

 

[blazer74]

Same deal on 73-75 verts.
My 74's were rotted to point of when I took the top off the doors would sag due to body flex. The firewall and winshield Frame actually lean back.
Rebuilt them with square tubing making everything solid again.
They need to be there in some form unless like what was said prior your caged.