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I'm nearing the bodywork phase in my build, something I have never done before. While the body is in very good shape, there are a couple problem areas. The front left cab corner is in very rough shape as you can see in the photo below. I'm looking for suggestions on whether I should get a full length or half length front cab corner. I know the full length part involves a lot more work, but the lower half has the most damage. What would you guys do? Sorry for the sideways pic.
My other question.........is there a best practice on how to separate welded seams without damaging the adjacent panel that will remain in place. As an example, how would you separate the welded seam (see red arrows below) in this location, as well as all around the front cab corner? Again, sorry for the sideways pic. It's upright in my folder, but rotates when I upload it.
When I did mine, I (like most people it seems) held the new part up to the cab, traced it, and chopped a hole to make the patch fit. In retrospect, i should have trimmed the hole in the cab out to good solid metal, and cut up the patch to fit the hole. Any solid, original metal you can save, you'll be money ahead in the long run. There is a fender brace behind those bolt holes, and it can be tough to separate without causing damage, but if you go slow, it can be done.
Buy yourself a spot weld cutter, there are several types. They will release the panel from the under lying parts. Clean the area to bare metal to see how far up the rust has eaten away the corner. There are 2 different sized patched you can buy for that area,,a 22 inch and a full length from the seam down, there is also a stiffener brace behind the cowl where the fender bolts to, if it's not too rusted at the bottom that piece might be saved..
