Hello all, I have a few questions about replacing the body panals on an 82f150... Just the rocker and cab corner on the passenger side... I got the replacement panals (went to iola and got them both for $50) But I need to know how i replace them... I can weld, and have access to very good welder, and the owners exelent with it. I just assume make sure it fits and cut the old one off, leaving an inch or more overlapping for a good lap weld, but I dont know how theyre connected to the rest of the body, and what I have to remove.

I'm assuming what to do is make sure it fits, strip the interior out as much as I can on the passenger side, d/c the battery, cut out the old, and weld in the new... I have no idea where i should weld, and how long of bead i should lay... I'm also thinking the box is going to have to come off... But i really dont know

So, can anybody help me with this?
Thanks
~Nate

 

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I haven't done patch panels on a truck but I have done other panels.Run short beads. WOrk a very short bead on one end then go to the other side and run a short bead there. If you try to do too much at once, the panel will warp from the heat. I would try to recess it slightly so that when you grind it smooth, you will have a 1/8 or so to put some filler in and make the seam totally invisable.

If you need to take the bed off, it isn't that hard. Disconnect the fuel filler hoses and then disconnect the rear olights at the connector hiding behind the bumper. Only 6 bolts and it lifts off. I made my own version of this thing....
http://www.brutmfg.com/TruckBedLifter.html

But I made my own instead of paying the $300. It cost me $40 in brand new square iron tubing and took about 15 minutes to weld. I used 1 3/4" tubing with 2" tubing so they slid inside each other. The thing works great and I can now take my bed off by myself anytime I want.

Sorry I can't be more help as far as access and actually doing it. I woudl suggest when you are done, treating the heck out it with a rust preventative since that is a high prone area and also because welds tend to rust even faster than normal metal.

Good Luck,


Lee

 

If i were you i wouldnt leav any gap in it at all. you want to make everything flush so you dont have to fill the whole panel in with body puddy witch has problems with falling out if you get it too deep. brother in law is a body man at one of the top 3 body shops in kansas i'v help with alot of stuff and comes in handy when i get pissed and punch my truck

 

Nate, welcome to the site. Your thread has been moved to the "Paint and Bodywork" Forum and should receive more responses to your question. Let us know how the work goes.

Thanks

 

Thanks, I was wandering where it went (didnt even SEE this catagory, sorry)


Ok I just realized its also broken infrount of the door... so i spent $50 for a cab corner, and a rocker which i might not need... What is the peice infrount of the door called, the door piller mabey?

Im tenitively thinking next summer, so i can get a few people together for taking the bed off, and make sure i have a welder and another vehical. I'm just looking for a heads up on what to do... Doesnt appear that hard, but who knows what other rusted parts i can find (i love WI)

~Nate