CK5
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One Piece at a Time: My 1985 Diesel Suburban
- Thread starter AgDieseler
- Start date
Are the cover passes for dressing or are they structural?
Seems like a good way to stiffen up the frame tho, without having to fabricate something from scratch. One of the big reasons I'd like to cage my crew cab is so that I could incorporate an engine bay cage as well.
Cover passes are primarily structural, but can look real pretty with some pedal pulse action. Where the overlays had a .030 or so gap to the frame, a single hot root pass (162A) created a small bit of undercut, and a cover pass (~140A) fills and evens out that weld profile. MIG welding has pretty easy-to-manage deposition rates, and almost certainly wouldn't need a cover. Migging these with .024 wire would have worked out very well, too. I'm just a glutton for punishment.
I'm doing these because my truck will likely never have a cage, and only selected boxing up front. Either or both of those eliminates the need for these plates. Up side, these can be installed without pulling the engine, and king of have a race truck look to them.
David
Yeah, I was thinking they would be something to think about for me. Unfortunately my 1 ton, 2wd frame is probably too different. As much as I'd like to do a cage, I'm not sure it will ever happen for me either.
I'll bring my prototypes to BB, and you can see if or how they might fit. That's better than sending them to the scrap pile.
David
Sounds good. I'm having trouble with my front fenders and I'm thinking a stiffer frame might help.
Drive rail is done.
I’ve got some very small adjustments to get the panhard mounted, and then it’s back to the passenger side.
David
I’ve got some very small adjustments to get the panhard mounted, and then it’s back to the passenger side.
David
Moody Bricker
1/2 ton status
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2016
- Posts
- 174
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That's "ridler" work,,nice and clean. ..
Does the technique vary with TIG when you are doing the overhead welds? That's one of the things I always struggle with MIG welding.
He should just clear coat the frame when he's done.
beags86
Eastbound and Down
Overhead "mig" or GMAW is not for the light of heart. I have tested out some very good welders that can't weld for shit overhead.
Personally i can do it. But am not great.
I'm armed with the knowledge of how to do it properly and use that to my advantage, but lack the hours and hours of in process application as an Ironworker or a pipefitter would have.
Point being, if you struggle don't feel bad.
As far as tig goes its completely different. Deposition rates are completely different. GTAW as all done by hand meaning you can put as much or little as you need or want to.
Vs having to adjust your travel speed with a wire feed after your settings are set.
Plus your heat is variable as well.
Overall its much easier to go overhead with GTAW. Of course what David is welding is still technically horizontal.
I am jelly of the tig time invested. Weld done.
For overhead mild steel, there's not much variation in technique from flat. Your hands and body are in a different position, but the material behaves about the same. I pedal pulse, and that also made these overhead welds easier. Steel holds together nicely.
Overhead MIG is my favorite way to ventilate a shirt.
Thank you, sir. I love to weld, and this has been a lot of fun to do.
David
Putting the panhard mount back in place, here’s a better angle on how the scallops work to clear the pitman arm. It’s a lot of work to gain about 3/8” of “nesting.”
David
David
Added bracing as much for the frame as for the panhard.
Also, these little fuel clamp bolt cutouts on the passenger side took some lower amp action to preserve the threads, and I finally got to them.
David
Also, these little fuel clamp bolt cutouts on the passenger side took some lower amp action to preserve the threads, and I finally got to them.
David
You really should just clear coat this so everyone can see the cool fab work.
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The race folk just hit it with some sort of spray oil since they know they’re blowing it apart almost immediately after. Me? I’m a sucker for black.
I added a strap at the top of the panhard mount. Now this side is completely done and ready for shock hoops.
It’s hot...
...but that won’t stop me...
...until it’s cocktail time.
David
Happy Martini Night... you are speaking my language!!!
I’m on my last Zoom meeting of the day but will be grabbing my martini shaker out of the cabinet in less than 1 hour.....
-G
I’m on my last Zoom meeting of the day but will be grabbing my martini shaker out of the cabinet in less than 1 hour.....
-G
Overlays are completely done. Here’s detail on each plate.
We have rain in the forecast, and while I didn’t want to prime these just yet, I’m hitting them anyway, and will just sand where I need to build for hoops and bumps.
Also, body mounts are reinforced and installed.
Onward to shocks and hoops and bumps and coils.
David
We have rain in the forecast, and while I didn’t want to prime these just yet, I’m hitting them anyway, and will just sand where I need to build for hoops and bumps.
Also, body mounts are reinforced and installed.
Onward to shocks and hoops and bumps and coils.
David
