Rear Quarter Skins

[Snowman1000]

Ok been debating on a set of rear skins "bedsides" for my 75 blazer I know people have done this but I dont currently have the twenty bucks to renew so no search. (michigan unemployment agency sucks)

how bad is it installing them looks to be quite a project....I have a welder, air compressor, torch, grinder basic hand tools what else would I need probally some sort of an air chisel?

basically is this something I can do with some help from the brotherhood thanks ahead of time hopefully I can get a few bucks together to renew later this week.

 

[offroadblazer764x4]

its a big job

 

[toomany]

I think on a Blazer it would be alot harder than on a pickup. With the Blazer you would have to close in the back of the cab. I'm sure the sides do help with the structure of the truck also, how much I don't know. You would probably loose the tail gate too, or the ability to drop it.

BTW, I noticed you are in Freeland, just down the road from me.

 

[ryoken]

you'll want some bodywork specific tools, air hammer is essential for getting the old one off... cutoff wheel, 6" bodywork clamps, welder, etc...

 

[ryoken]

oh, couple of thoughts on this one after decades of doing qrters....

it's absolutely foolish not to do the wheelwells while your in there imo.... they're cheap... and the aftermarket wells are decent and fit well..

the tailpan is even more obvious to do then the wells... think they run about $90... we all know 95% of these trucks go there early on.. and again the quality of that piece is pretty decent..

that being said, dont expect GM quality in your qrter panel... they're not horrible, but not perfect either.....

also one can never have enough body clamps, air hammer bits (I have about 50) and spotweld bits when doing this stuff......

and remember Ryoken's mantra of use of weld-thru primers!

 

[Snowman1000]

Yeah not far from Auburn at all basically down Carter rd (seven mile?) off of Sarle road. Thats cool that there is someone else fairly close

Ok I feel slightly stupid what is a body clamp I have basic air tools impact cut-off, ratchet. I imagine a spot weld bit is a drill bit for drilling out spot welds I was planning on doing the wheel wells and tail pan as well as the floor I have the floor already its one big peice got two from an auto swap for 50 bucks both brand new too. I think that it has been skinned before (lots of seam sealer/ panel andhesive). Im not looking for perfection but if it just looked decent i would be good with that.

Also whats the thought with bed lining the back of the panels. (Al's hurc ect) kinda thinking about doing the whole inside of the tub as well.

Yeah I have spent many hours admiring your work Ryoken i figured you would chime in eventually I was hoping because you do some real stand-up work.

 

[toomany]

I've always used these for pannel replacment.

I've got a friend that live out on Carter Rd. It's aways from Freeland though, he's north of Beaver Rd. I do know the area you are talking about though.

 

[ryoken]

6" body clamp.. probably the most often used tool in my shop...

 

[Snowman1000]

Ah so thats what those are called

 

[ryoken]

thats what i've called it the last 30 yrs, but i'm probably wrong.. and visegrip, no imitations... mine are 30 yrs old.. not one failure... cheapo's, they flex the first time out...

 

[Snowman1000]

Yeah I hear ya there we use those clamps all the time on the farm I'm working at and my boss thinks tools is a good place to cut corners alot of cheapy junk literaly drawers full broken crap the few good pairs he has are vicegrip I like nice tools can't quite afford snap on but my craftsman wrenches work pretty good

 

[ryoken]

yup, the good oldschool, all metal visegrip brand are the best... f*ck new plastic handled stuff...