Re: NJ Suburban
 

The panel is clamped into position but I'm feeling a bit of a bulge/bow along the top edge. Not sure if I should order another panel and try again or weld it up and break out the shrinking disk.

Paul

Re: NJ Suburban
 

The disk would probably do it. I can see where you are talking about. I wonder what would happen if you would brace something against that area while you welded it. Dunno....

LockDoc

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Ran into a problem with the pillar support. Couldn't find any pictures of how it is supposed to look so I welded it up how I thought it should be.

Paul

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Looks good to me! ^^^

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Joe check out the problem with the rocker and the quarter alignment posted in the regular forum. Not sure how to make things line up!

Paul

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Ok I can live with this fit!

Paul

Re: NJ Suburban
 

That doesn't look too bad from here. I think it will blend in more when it is all one color too.

LockDoc

Re: NJ Suburban
 

That looks nice. Did you shim the rocker out full length?

Re: NJ Suburban
 

It’s shimmed about 3/16 of an inch toward the back and tapering down to zero for about 3 inches. The inner rocker got bent outward to make it even.

Paul

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Finally got it to lay down straight and flat!

Paul

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Looks good Paul, was it the bottom lip that was causing the issue?

Re: NJ Suburban
 

It was the whole damn panel Richard. It wasn’t till I made a dozen cuts in the wheel arch and a relief cut above the wheel arch that it would lay flat.

Paul

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Glad you got it figured out without having to start over. Looking real good.

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Looking good! Thanks for posting the results and how you accomplished such a nice fit!!

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Richard and Joe maybe I spoke too soon. After welding the panel doesn't lay as flat as I'd like. Can't figure out why it is so uneven! I tack welded in between the panel clamps and waited at least 15 minutes before putting down another tack. Nothing overheated and there is still warping. When I lay a flat edge down along the body it seems to start bowing inward two or three inches above the lower panel body line. Anyone out there willing to compare panel flatness in that area to compare?


At around the 60" mark on the ruler the panel starts bowing inward. At the 72" mark the ruler is about 1/8" away from the panel. Is that normal?

Paul

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Paul
Did you check it before you ground the welds? Just wondering if it heated up enough while grinding to bow it some?
Richard

Re: NJ Suburban
 

I was really careful with the grinding too. It never got hot. I think the warping came from stress on making the panel fit. Looks like I’m grinding this one off and ordering another panel.

Paul

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Well I salvaged 2 weeks worth of work! Figured that it would have to be cut off and a new panel purchased. Also figured I couldn't screw it up worse with that in mind so I got out the shrinking disc on my 4" grinder. I used it to do areas about 4" in diameter and didn't let it get hot enough to discolor the metal. Have to say it did a pretty decent job. At this point the lowest area now is about 1/16" but I'll still work it with a hammer and dolly beror the filler goes on. The straight edge lays pretty flat along the panel and the 3/16" gap I had in my last picture is gone!

Paul

Re: NJ Suburban
 

I'll bet you are relieved about that! I figured you would try to come up with something to save it.... Glad it worked out for you.

LockDoc

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Glad you got it worked out without having to start over with it.

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Good job! Glad you were able to fix it!!

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Truck and garage all prepped for epoxy primer tomorrow!

Paul

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Epoxy done

Paul

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Looks great! It's always nice to see them all one color. Keep up the good work...

LockDoc

Re: NJ Suburban
 

Looking good Paul