Help with this type of repair

[RJB44]

I know a lot of us K5 owners have had to deal with this issue at some point. Just wanted to see what some of the suggested approaches are for addressing this. I'm not a welder, but have thought about purchasing a mig welder and giving it a shot.

Thanks, RJB

 

[British Slave]

I'm no pro, but it looks like the panels you need are available from LMC. The floor pan, outer rocker, inner rocker, and front bed section. It will be a lot of work, and with the fitting of repro panels frustrating. But it can be done.

I suggest reading this thread

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=283048

Good luck, take pics and start a build thread when you jump in this project.

 

[ryoken]

none of that stuff is available, it's all custom... that'll be a minimum of 3 patches, if not 4 or 5... when doing that area, i like to use a minimum of 18 gauge if not 16... first thing you'll need to do is trim back the bad area to solid metal.... than grind or blast it as best you can...

you can use cardboard to make templates for each patch... that forward B-pillar section has the belt attachment that if you need to use will need to be removed, drill a hole thru the patch, then preweld the nut to the patch before installing...

I've done a few of those, Wraenking's was similar, but I am also very tool equipped... you'll need various body tools, from the welder to various grinders to metal cutting implements to c-clamps...

and as always, rust never sleeps... if you patch and leave rust, it will eventually come back.. the more removed the better, obviously blasting is the best alternative.. if that area looks like that, I would take a close look at your tailpan too.... I could walk you thru the patching process, but keep the tool and time requirements in mind... That could take a first timer a week to do a decent job..

 

[British Slave]

I'm not arguing with you, but looking at the LMC catalog, all the parts I listed ARE available. Yes, there would ba at least one patch behind the rocker, but other than that it's all available.

 

[ryoken]

I don't know what picture your looking at, but I see a picture of an interior B-pillar, a stepwell wall and the very front of the bed... no rocker pic whatsoever, tho I'm sure the rocker looks like he!! too......

yes, that forward bed piece is probably available, but it's kinda silly to buy a huge floor piece for a little L-patch when your already making patches.. rear floor pieces are not available, only cr@ppy fronts..

 

[British Slave]

Here's the rocker:
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/csb/full.aspx?Page=41

Since the on line catalog is different from the print version, you have to look up the part numbers. In the print version all the panels are on one page.

 

[ryoken]

that has nothing to with anything in the pic... that B-pillar wall is unrelated to an inside rocker...

 

[British Slave]

It's an outside rocker shown. But just forget it, I am not getting into an argument so I get banned again. Period, end of discussion.

 

[ryoken]

noone's arguing, explain what your saying please, that he needs an outside rocker? or an inside? cuz either way, neither will cover the repaired area..

 

[British Slave]

I respect what you say on the board. Evidently we are looking at this from different angles. But hey. I feel the bottom line is: if he wants to attempt it, go for it. but be ready for a lot of frustration given he is inexperianced.

 

[ryoken]

absolutely... that's why I try to give Brody fair warning, etc in his thread.. not for the faint of heart... and honestly, if you don't plan on blasting, it WILL come back at some point.. that could be 2 yrs or 15, depending on how thorough you go...

 

[mpio13]

i just did this repair on my own K5. I just bought some 16 guage metal at tractor supply, cut out what was rotten and bent and welded in the new metal. bent it where it needed bends, made cuts where it needed reliefs. used a litttle seam sealer and bed lined it. im not a body work guy either andi used a real POS welder. but for me it was just one of those things i had to go for, although i haven't gotten around to the driver side yet. i also did my passenger rocker and inner rocker (took me 3 days haha)





good luck!

 

[ryoken]

there ya go....

 

[tRustyK5]

I know a lot of us K5 owners have had to deal with this issue at some point. Just wanted to see what some of the suggested approaches are for addressing this. I'm not a welder, but have thought about purchasing a mig welder and giving it a shot.

Thanks, RJB

I respect what you say on the board. Evidently we are looking at this from different angles. But hey. I feel the bottom line is: if he wants to attempt it, go for it. but be ready for a lot of frustration given he is inexperianced.

Doubt the pics showed up in the quote, but the area pictured is the inside "b" pillar behind the front seat, and it's where the lower portion of the seat belt is supposed to anchor. This area is most definitely not available as a patch. Ryoken wasn't arguing with you, but I do think you may have mis-identified the exact location of the problem.

At any rate, we're not even close to being that "ban happy" here. All I saw was you guys trying to clear up some confusion.

Having patched that area a few times on various Blazers, I will concur with the use of 16 gauge, and a nice large thick washer on the backside welded to help spread the potential load during a collision.

 

[mpio13]

...yeah you can totally see my passenger side seatbelt dangling there. how embarassing. definately overlooked that whole anchor thing when i did the repair. so now i either have to cut back in to weld a big washer and nut to secure it, or maybe relocate it with a bracket with a nut and bolt. no one ever rides shotgun anyways.