Front floor support replacement or patch weld?

[wazzabie]

Here is my cut out front floor support that I'm patch welding. I'm debating if I should just replace the entire thing. I'm hesitant to go into the joint and body mount area.

Would this be ok to weld if I clean it up some? I was getting alot of blow outs in the section I patched in the pic below because the metal was so thin.

 

[SpeedlabDan]

Here is my cut out front floor support that I'm patch welding. I'm debating if I should just replace the entire thing. I'm hesitant to go into the joint and body mount area.

Would this be ok to weld if I clean it up some? I was getting alot of blow outs in the section I patched in the pic below because the metal was so thin.

If you intend on welding it you have to get down to bare metal.

 

[wazzabie]

I need to get down to better metal? If you look closely I was able to weld in a patch piece into this support. If I weld into this will it hold?

 

[SpeedlabDan]

I need to get down to better metal? If you look closely I was able to weld in a patch piece into this support. If I weld into this will it hold?

If it's blowing out easily it may be worth replacing with better material. From the looks of the picture, looks like that support doesn't have much good metal left to weld to. They call it cancer for a reason. Mainly because once it's oxidized it's gonna keep going under what you weld over it. If you can find that support from brothers or classic industries etc it may be easier to replace.

 

[wazzabie]

If it's blowing out easily it may be worth replacing with better material. From the looks of the picture, looks like that support doesn't have much good metal left to weld to. They call it cancer for a reason. Mainly because once it's oxidized it's gonna keep going under what you weld over it. If you can find that support from brothers or classic industries etc it may be easier to replace.

Have you taken out the front floor support before? I'm thinking it needs to be removed from the bottom. It is welded to a support pad. It looks like this.

 

[Cntymnty77]

https://tabcoparts.com/1234-42421.html

Ive been very impressed with all the sheet metal from Tabco I've ordered. Good heavy gauge metal and good prices.

 

[SpeedlabDan]

Have you taken out the front floor support before? I'm thinking it needs to be removed from the bottom. It is welded to a support pad. It looks like this.

It's a pretty extensive repair. I have to do the same with the bed cross sill in mine. Unfortunately I have to pull the tub of the frame to get the 50" beam out and back in

 

[wazzabie]

https://tabcoparts.com/1234-42421.html

Ive been very impressed with all the sheet metal from Tabco I've ordered. Good heavy gauge metal and good prices.

I have that same part. I like tabco also. It is made in the USA. If I take out the entire front floor support I'm not sure of the best way to do it. My fllors are good. Perhaps a swazall to cut out some sections in between the floor braces.

 

[datmony]

If you are going to be removing a lot of sheet metal, it is well worth your time to go buy a dedicated body saw. The Ingersoll Rand ones are the best. While pricey..... they give you excellent control because they are small and light. A sawzall, cut off wheel, etc can all be made to work but they are not as easy to finesse as a true body saw that is purpose built for purposes like this. YMMV.