Build Thread '83 T-top Coupe - Welding Holes in My Rear
- Thread starter Davedacarpainter
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I actually did some stuff.
I welded the cm in and threw the seats back in to be double dog sure I welded it in the right place. It's good. It's amazing how more solid the floor feels with this welded in.
On to the next thing. The ladder bar system.
I started by measuring out the length I want for the rocker "jacking rails". 62" from the backside of the fender bolt to the back of the pinch weld. Cut those sections to length from my 1x1 tubing.
My tubing looked like crap, comes from sitting in the dirt in a field for several years. It took a bit of effort to get it all down to bare shiny metal. I then sprayed a couple quick coats of an etch paint on them, just to cover them for now.
I'm trying to convince myself to get after welding those in now. I've developed an attitude problem for some reason. It's still early though.
I welded the cm in and threw the seats back in to be double dog sure I welded it in the right place. It's good. It's amazing how more solid the floor feels with this welded in.
On to the next thing. The ladder bar system.
I started by measuring out the length I want for the rocker "jacking rails". 62" from the backside of the fender bolt to the back of the pinch weld. Cut those sections to length from my 1x1 tubing.
My tubing looked like crap, comes from sitting in the dirt in a field for several years. It took a bit of effort to get it all down to bare shiny metal. I then sprayed a couple quick coats of an etch paint on them, just to cover them for now.
I'm trying to convince myself to get after welding those in now. I've developed an attitude problem for some reason. It's still early though.
I went back out.
I got the jacking rails ready. I needed to cap off the ends and put a 45* angle on the front.
So here's pictures. Starting off I marked the 45* angle to cut
Used my die grinder to cut it out. I used some of the scrap tubing I already cut off these tubes to make the covering plates.
Partially welded them on.
Ground off the extra from the cap and welded it the rest of the way up.
Dressed the welds.
I got the jacking rails ready. I needed to cap off the ends and put a 45* angle on the front.
So here's pictures. Starting off I marked the 45* angle to cut
Used my die grinder to cut it out. I used some of the scrap tubing I already cut off these tubes to make the covering plates.
Partially welded them on.
Ground off the extra from the cap and welded it the rest of the way up.
Dressed the welds.
Pretty much the same routine for the rear end sides of the tubes.
Made a cap for the end
Welded them
Dressed them
Then painted both ends.
They're ready to work with now. Tomorrow I'll try to get some of the ladder system done.
Made a cap for the end
Welded them
Dressed them
Then painted both ends.
They're ready to work with now. Tomorrow I'll try to get some of the ladder system done.
I tacked the jacking rail on and made my first rung! Yay.
I’ll get it tacked on and go to the next one.
I’ll get it tacked on and go to the next one.
Ah hell, now Im going to do that. Ive wanted to, but now its engrained in my head.
It's not that difficult guys. The hardest part so far has been cleaning those nasty 1x1 tubes before I use them! It's one of the easier mods I've done so far.
If I didn't have to clean the tubing, I would probably be completely done with the driver's side. I just have the portion done in front of the MM seat brace. I still have to do a couple verticals and a couple diagonals behind the brace.
Now when I say completely done, I mean done with the initial fabrication of the system. If you look in the pictures there are only simple tack welds on the sfc's and the rocker pinch weld.
When I'm done fabricating the side I'll cut the welds on the pinch weld and sfc's area and drop the ladder system out as a unit. Then I'll do a prettier weld around each tube end.
Then I'll put it all back in and do as much of a perimeter weld around the attaching points as I can. As you can see in the picture I can go a little way over the top of the sfc's welding area.
I'll do my usual 2" spot welds along the pinch weld and am even thinking about doing a dozen or so spotwelds along the edge of the floorpan. I'm not overly sure of that, i may stitch weld instead. We'll both know when I do it.
Before it goes back in I will seam seal along the floorpan and rocker on the underneath side.
EDIT: Thanks Mike for having done this before me, it's easier to copy than to create!
If I didn't have to clean the tubing, I would probably be completely done with the driver's side. I just have the portion done in front of the MM seat brace. I still have to do a couple verticals and a couple diagonals behind the brace.
Now when I say completely done, I mean done with the initial fabrication of the system. If you look in the pictures there are only simple tack welds on the sfc's and the rocker pinch weld.
When I'm done fabricating the side I'll cut the welds on the pinch weld and sfc's area and drop the ladder system out as a unit. Then I'll do a prettier weld around each tube end.
Then I'll put it all back in and do as much of a perimeter weld around the attaching points as I can. As you can see in the picture I can go a little way over the top of the sfc's welding area.
I'll do my usual 2" spot welds along the pinch weld and am even thinking about doing a dozen or so spotwelds along the edge of the floorpan. I'm not overly sure of that, i may stitch weld instead. We'll both know when I do it.
Before it goes back in I will seam seal along the floorpan and rocker on the underneath side.
EDIT: Thanks Mike for having done this before me, it's easier to copy than to create!
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Just to make @Noobz347 happy, I'll mention Yard Booty.
After all, that's where the 1x1 tubing came from.
Is that good enough Noobz?
After all, that's where the 1x1 tubing came from.
Is that good enough Noobz?
Nah, he'll want pictures, probably with a pretty girl in a mini skirt holding one in each hand.
It's going to be tough to find a picture of a pretty girl in a miniskirt holding 1x1" tubing in both hands.
This won't be going in the Cliff notes edition.........
The floor looks great Dave. You definitely make everything look easy.
Shoulda been engrained in your head 4 years ago...
Hey Dave,...@davedacarpainter Did you drill the pinch weld and floor so you could spot/rosette weld the SF jacking rail to the pinch weld?
What you've done will be epic with regard to making your car absolutely rock solid..(think Viagra for SF connectors)
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