[papaimp]

I've never seen anyone skilled enough to arc-weld sheet metal, got any pictures of your work to show off, Wolverine? That's got to be something to see!

Nice work on the tub, if mine wasn't already 60% rust and bad patchwork, I'd consider being inspired by your work. My tub is just too far gone, though. I think it has seen it's last days, for a few years before I bought it.
Fresh bondo/paint hid a lot, and the frame looked really good.

[fatterman]

I think you are doing a heck of a job, it is a great resource that you post all the pics showing the progress, also my hat is off to you and your responses to all the questions here on jeep forum. Now where are our pics from this weekend.

[Fatman]

Originally Posted by papaimp

Nice work on the tub, if mine wasn't already 60% rust and bad patchwork, I'd consider being inspired by your work.

Thanks Pap, I had thought about the YJ tub swap but it just seemed like a good idea to keep the CJ and make things right.

Originally Posted by es059021

I think you are doing a heck of a job, it is a great resource that you post all the pics showing the progress, also my hat is off to you and your responses to all the questions here on jeep forum. Now where are our pics from this weekend.

Eric, I waited all day. I thought you'd bring the beer to get my welding skills up to par.

Yesterday was spent working on the bike, ordered a new tire and had to run to Coats to pick it up and get it mounted. Saved me about $100 ... it's a 240/40-18 big fat tire. Also put new brakes on and changed all the fluids, filters. Went down to Moore Sq last night for the free concert. Had VIP passes so hung out with 96 Rock and Ch 14. Soul Asylum will be there in 2 weeks, I'll try to get 4 passes if you want to go.

Sunday, the jeep ... here's what we got done. Not Much.

Cut out the rot for the roll bar pads:




Cut some 16 ga (was all out of 12 ga) Marked my holes, checked my overlap.




Cut a piece to plug the rear wiring harness hole.
All of the rear wiring will run along the inside of the frame. NO holes in tub!




Spot weld in place and then welded em up

[Fatman]

Filled in the antenna hole in the front cowl. and got the last of the plug holes filled:


Lil bit of burn through on the old sheet mtl:



This is what I'm going to work on next weekend.
I have to cut out a bit of the side rocker.




Once I finish the passenger side panel repair I'm going to sand blast the film of rust I've got and prime the bare metal with etching primer. Then a coat of POR15 on the underside repairs.

I'm weighing thoughts of whether I should spray my Herculiner before or after I shot color. There are a lot of tight spots I want to be sure the Herc gets into and have a concern that I'll overspray no mater how well I prep. Maybe I'll just have to do it in 3 stages. Herc, color, final touch up and overlap with herculiner.

[TetanusCJ7]

hmmmm.....I don't know....look at those welds.......
Just kidding dude! Looks good!

[jakemary]

nice job. im spent my sunday in the garage watching power block tv and the nascar race and of course working on my 83 cj 7 . im doing a frame off. i have the frame suported buy two engine stands so i can flip it around. i used my engine lift to stand the frame on its end so i can bang the rust out.

[Shameless Elmer]

Fatman- Just curious, any particular reason you're not using a flanging tool on the sheetmetal prior to welding the patches in place?
Also- not to rub it in or anything but, it sure was nice driving my Jeep this weekend. I mean... Really Nice! I spent the past two summers reading other people's posts about running around with the top off etc., while I was doing what you're doing now.

[Fatman]

Fatman- Just curious, any particular reason you're not using a flanging tool on the sheetmetal prior to welding the patches in place?

I assume that would allow the new sheet metal to sit flush? I wasn't too concerned with the floors as they are going to get covered in Herculiner.
I'll bevel the exterior repairs, as I don't want to use any more filler than I have to.
How does the tool work? Is it something that you strike to make a grove?

Also- not to rub it in or anything but, it sure was nice driving my Jeep this weekend. I mean... Really Nice! I spent the past two summers reading other people's posts about running around with the top off etc., while I was doing what you're doing now.

LOL, we're good. I'm building this Jeep for my son, with my son I should say. When I need some "top down" time I jump on either of these:






Edit:
http://www.htpweld.com/products/metal_working_tools/index.htm#Flanging%20Plier%20f/Curves
Those look cool. I'll have to find a set. I assume this is what you were talking about.



.

[Shameless Elmer]

Touche' on the top down comment.
That is one version of the flanging tool. They also make a pneumatic version of it.
It does give you a near transparent seam when the weld is ground down A skim coat of filler makes it invisible. I'll try to find the pics of mine and post them.

[Fatman]

I plan to get a bunch done this weekend, but need some JF help.

What are the two holes in the pic for? I have everything else figr'd out. I think.




Some of these might get filled before I Herc, I'm going to fit the tub on the frame, then mock up everything to check fit, build the cage, make a bracket for the clutch linkage to the frame, wire...

[papaimp]

That's a handy picture of what all the firewall holes are for, mind if I put a copy in my Haynes manual?

I think this link shows the kind of flange tool he was talking about. It's air powered, does flanges on one side, and has a hole punch on the back side. Handy tool.

[bdmonist]

Mine are both blank Fatman, nothing attached.

[papaimp]

The passenger side hole has a wiring harness clip, and the driver's side hole has another hole above it, and a shadow outline of something that's about 3" tall by 1" wide there, I'm guessing some kind of vacuum/electric emissions control.
Mine's a 1985 with the 4 cylinder and a T4.

[Fatman]

I'll try to do this in 10 pic's or less.
Cleaned up the passenger rocker board, 2 bad spots we're doing today.


Cut out & cleaned up



Through primer


these things are great, oh and the thumb works well for pressure till the heat makes you say **** and **** !


welds looking better?


well at least they clean up nice


persuasion with a finishing hammer


finished the inside

[Bard]

Fatman - looking good there, nice progress indeed.