Tailpan, tailgate hinge repair.

[swettysblazer]

Awesome, I am definitely going to be referencing this. Good write up.

 

[nwcustoms]

GOT it painted, and seams sealed with OEM sealer, awsome stuff! From O'Rileys auto parts, 3M fast'n firm seam sealer. Num 08505

 

[nwcustoms]

Also, drilled a small hole in hinge to ad grease

 

[76zimmer]

GOT it painted, and seams sealed with OEM sealer, awsome stuff! From O'Rileys auto parts, 3M fast'n firm seam sealer. Num 08505

I looked today, and that sealer is the same stuff I used, give it a couple days to harden though.

 

[nwcustoms]

Final thought, i think it went pretty great, shuts like new! There were two mistakes i made.
First, when cutting the floor, cut two inches back from edge, but keep as much of underlying layer as possible.
Second, i would wait to drill out hinge bolt holes until they are tacked then use the size bit required to tap the holes, then take hinges off and finish reaming with bigger drill bit. This will keep the tap drill bit from walking around in the holes.
Thanks for all the comments

 

[snowbound98]

That looks great! Good job. I like the thought of using that tubing instead of the sheet metal part for $200 from LMC. Lot more beef to it. And you said people have used angle iron to do the same thing? That explains a lot. I have angle iron under mine and was wondering about it. Haven't gotten to the rear of mine yet to cut out bad spots. Also you say your rear body mounts were moved or modified? Maybe that explains why mine are moved to the outside of frame rails and a piece of 2x2 is welded on frame to support rear tail pan. Interesting. Thanks for the great write up. Very inspiring.
Chicago huh? Nice. Come on over for some beers and you can do this again on mine. Hahaha. No really!

 

[swettysblazer]

Quick question because I am doing this soon, did you weld the steel to anything besides the bed supports?

 

[Blazer addict]

What is the thickness of the 2x3 tubing ?