I need to replace the left front corner of my 56 cab. I have purchased the patch panel (from Mid-Fifty) that goes from the cowl seam all the way down to the bottom of the cab. It includes the hood hinge pocket and the vertical door opening reveal. I am not replacing the door hinge pockets or the door jamb.

1. Has anyone else used this panel? Is it good for contour? How do I check the contour before I final weld it in? I don't much like the idea of modifying its shape to get it to match the door.

2. The original panel is spotwelded on all seams. My plan is to drill out the spotwelds using a 5/16 dia piloted flat bottom drill and try to leave the back flange in tact. Then use a panel knife to separate the pieces. Any tips?

3. The patch panel is black primered. I am not familiar with that coating. Can I weld directly on that? Is it a weld-thru primer? Or should I get to bare metal in the weld areas? I plan to fill the holes for the hood hinge before putting it on the truck.

4. I plan to position and check it to the door by using just a few tacks, then rosette weld the patch to the cab flanges (at approximately the same spacing as the spotwelds. Is that enough? Is there a sealer I should use for the rest of the seam length?

5. I also need to replace the upper fender attach bracket that is welded to this panel and supports the top rear edge of the inner and outer fenders. How would you suggest positioning this bracket properly? My thought was to measure the passenger side (from the floor) and duplicate that on the driver side. (The truck is level on jack stands positioned under the suspension).

And no, I don't have anything else planned to do this weekend...

Thanks,

 

RJ, I have not used this panel (I may step on some toes here, sorry) but if it is anything like the mid-fifty panels I have used, be very afraid. DON'T use any more of it than you have to, repair only the areas that require it. As far as the rest of it your plan looks good. Keep us posted, lots of pics. PS, the black coating is like rattle can stuff, blow it off and get on with the job.

 

My truck hasn't required any patch panels, so I can't comment on the fit. I would check the current contours before doing any work and see which is more true or more pleasing to you, the door or the cowl (or hopefully both) and trace that contour onto a piece of masonite or 1/4" plywood. Carefully cut it out and sand the line true to make a contour template to use for the new panel. Mark the seam location so you can place it correctly. Any place you have a wrapped edge, like around the edge of a door, the popular panel removal technique is to grind the edge of the panel until you just cut thru the fold. remove the panel then drill out the spots and remove the hem piece. The rosette or plug weld technique is a tried and true install method. I would use a paintable seam sealer after installation to keep out moisture. Keep any seam welds short and at least six inches from the last one allowing the panel to cool to bare hand comfort between each weld. Adjust any warpage with a hammer and dolly stretch as soon as they start to appear, keeping warps under control when they are small will save a lot of grief over trying to fix them after all the welding is complete. Fit any seams carefully trying to maintain a the panel's thickness gap between the panels along the weld path. If inserting a patch, a generous radiused corner seam is preferable over a square cut corner which concentrates the heat affected zone making warpage more likely/severe.
The black coating is an epoxy primer that can be left in place except where you will be welding, rough it up with some 100 - 120 grit sandpaper if applying putty on top. Uing a weld thru primer on the inaccessable parts of the back of the panel where you sand away the black primer is a good extra protection. If you want a perfect match, hang the door in it's final position, give the door and the panel an 1/8" skim coat of catalized surfacer putty and block sand both panels across the gap with a 3' long board until the primer starts to show. Always sand panels in opposite diagonals not horizontally or vertically to avoid ripples. Never sand with the paper wrapped around your fingers, always use a block!

 

Randy, I used the Mid-Fifty cowl panels on my 53. They seem to be a close fit. Only concern I had was the fact that they are very thin compared to the original ones. Are you using your old fender mounting brace that goes inside the panel or a new one? These from Mid- fifty did not fit very well. I haven't gotten to remounting the inner fender mounts, so I am no help there. I drilled holes in the panel flanges and plug welded about 1-1 1/2" apart.Jeff

 

Thanks, guys. Very good info. I'll check the contour with a template and remove the majority before tackling the spotwelds.

Anyone else???

 

Yeah ..... When ya get done with yours and you know what to do ..... You can do My cab corners next! Hehehehe

Mason

 

Thankfully, the PO put new cab front corner patch panels on mine already. Its looks like a lot of work. Keep us updated.

 

does mid fifty ever grace this forum. I would think that they might find this site considering the money and all.

 

I need to use the bottom 6 inches of this panel. course the new ones have the access hole to fill too!..

Sam

 

Actually yes they do, why?

 

Higher prices, long wait for parts, many complaints on parts that do not fit(have to consider the skill level of some of backyard mechanics). The people there are super nice when you have problems but three strikes and your out. They can take my money right away with no problem but it takes a month to get the wrong stuff. To their defense, they have fixed everything (with extra shipping costs to me). They have a great wealth of tips and knowledge in their catalog and the associates. I just had bad luck woth them I guess.

 

When Mid-Fifty billed me for the right parts but sent the wrong ones, I refused to return them on my dime. They said "no problem" and sent me a pre-paid postage sticker. I think they will do this for anyone when they make the shipping mistake.
Jeff