Weld cab seams?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: peyton, colorado
Weld cab seams?
On my '48, I've noticed the cab is made from quite a few individual stampings, all spot welded together. The door jams, for instance, are several u shaped pieces held together with very few spot welds, looks like just enough to hold it together. I know it's 59 years old and hasn't failed yet, but would it be a good idea to seam weld the cab for strength? This is standard race car prep, making for a stronger unibody, in my case I'm looking for greater strength in an accident and fewer rattles. Using standard stitch and cool technique, anyone see a problem?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
I think the chance of causing more problems than fixing them is very high. I have not seen any reports of spot welded seams failing. If you ever need to undo any of those parts you'll understand they are a lot stronger than they look.
If they haven't failed in 50-60 years of bouncing across fields and down dirt roads there's little chance they will fail cruising down the highway. We've never rewelded spotwelded body panels together on any race car we've ever built.
If they haven't failed in 50-60 years of bouncing across fields and down dirt roads there's little chance they will fail cruising down the highway. We've never rewelded spotwelded body panels together on any race car we've ever built.
Last edited by AXracer; Feb 6, 2007 at 08:09 AM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,288
Likes: 1,053
From: NM
My '52 is really pretty well anchored on everything I could see, with plenty of spotwelds and in the proper patterns. But a ****** Utility (like a panel truck) I used to have was very minimally done. I went thru and added stitches/plug welds and even some gussets where I could. The difference in squeaks and stiffness was impressive! But a panel wagon is inherently less stiff to begin with.
It's unlikely anything will change alignment if the existing spot welds are still intact. I just took it slow. The ones that I found the most in need were the sheet metal braces, similar to the hoop that runs under the rear window on these trucks.
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It's unlikely anything will change alignment if the existing spot welds are still intact. I just took it slow. The ones that I found the most in need were the sheet metal braces, similar to the hoop that runs under the rear window on these trucks.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 551
From: Kalispell, MT
Here's a fer-what-its-worth: Summer of 02 I was minding my own business, returning home from a trip to town in the 48 F1. Turning off the hwy onto my road a bunch of kids in a new F250 4x4 Xcab tried to drive where my 48 was, at a high rate of speed. As fast as they came up on me I estimated their speed at 70+. They left 40 ft of skid marks up to the point of impact.
The collision spun the 48 180 deg, dumped it in the borrow pit (ditch), bent a wheel and an axle, shoved the box into the back of the cab, tweaked the frame enough to break a cast iron motor mount, emptied the glove box all over the seat, smashed my newly rebuilt box/stake pockets/roll pan/tailgate as well as pan-caking the cab.
With all of that I didn't find one spot weld that let go in the cab.
BTW, I changed a tire and drove home. It took a wrecker to haul the newer Ford back to town. In addition to a blown tire (where it caught my frame rail) it wiped out the whole front end of the truck - sheet metal and radiator, etc.
Don't mess with the old trucks!
The collision spun the 48 180 deg, dumped it in the borrow pit (ditch), bent a wheel and an axle, shoved the box into the back of the cab, tweaked the frame enough to break a cast iron motor mount, emptied the glove box all over the seat, smashed my newly rebuilt box/stake pockets/roll pan/tailgate as well as pan-caking the cab.
With all of that I didn't find one spot weld that let go in the cab.
BTW, I changed a tire and drove home. It took a wrecker to haul the newer Ford back to town. In addition to a blown tire (where it caught my frame rail) it wiped out the whole front end of the truck - sheet metal and radiator, etc.
Don't mess with the old trucks!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: new jersey
That is one fear i have, is that when my truck is finished the exact way i want it, some knuckle head will come along and slam into me or a deer will run out in front of me and total my truck. Then all that hard work and dedication is gone forever. I guess maybe that's why some guys build the ever so safe trailer queens.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,644
Likes: 55
From: Moro Bay, AR
Originally Posted by 54fever
That is one fear i have, is that when my truck is finished the exact way i want it, some knuckle head will come along and slam into me or a deer will run out in front of me and total my truck. Then all that hard work and dedication is gone forever. I guess maybe that's why some guys build the ever so safe trailer queens.
I'll not let it keep me from enjoying what I have spent so much time building.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 253
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From: new jersey
Jeff, i agree with you, but the thought does cross my mind and like you said, "S*#%@T Happens" and i am looking forward to those warm evening drives around town and to the local meets or were ever i feel like driving to at the time. Man! i can't hardly wait!
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well as far as i can see the only reason i would weld the cab seams would be if you wanted to fill them all in and grind and blend them in to improve the looks. you think you guys fear getting ran into im gonna be driveing mine and leaving it in a high school parking lot. talk about scary. in fact my friend got his brand new car smashed by some dip crap in a bronco. this kid put it in reverse and floored it and took out the hood, drivers fender, headlight, and bent up the radiator support. 5000 dollars damage if not totaled. and im gonna park my 59 that i spent so much time rebuilding here.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
Likes: 652
From: Brentwood, TN
There are a few trucks in our club that have the seams welded but each is for cosmetic reasons and not added strength. It really does look nice but I am not sure that I would spend the time doing it and I am sure as hell not paying someone else to do it!
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,772
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From: Kalispell, MT
Originally Posted by 54fever
That is one fear i have, is that when my truck is finished the exact way i want it, some knuckle head will come along and slam into me or a deer will run out in front of me and total my truck. Then all that hard work and dedication is gone forever. I guess maybe that's why some guys build the ever so safe trailer queens.
$4400 later, the box was as good as it was when hit, the project didn't take near as long this time and I had the labor money free to make a couple of upgrades I wanted.
And yes, its a daily driver. I improved brake light and turn signal visibility and added a third brakelight. Haven't been hit again since that time in '02
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