My first attempt at metal work and panel welding - Lateral-g Forums

Luv2exeler8 · #1 03-31-2010, 12:20 AM

Hey Guys, I'm going to attempt to replace my rotten metal myself and with the help of the occasional buddy who knows nothing also. I'm going to be putting in a one piece floor, inner/ outter rockers, cowl, header trunk pan, drop offs, inner/outter wheel wells and both full quarters. I want to fab up a jig on casters so I can stabalize and keep everything open to do the repairs. Do I just weld a jig up and have it supported on the rear frame rails and front two sub frame braces ? Also, I wanted to make a jig before I cut anything else out (my floor is the only thing gone as of now from the body - bolt on panels, doors etc..) to keep it square and help keep me from getting things out of whack. Any and all help with this process will be greatly appreciated for the fact this is my first build and is ALOT to take on I know. Also, as I replace the panels and strip the inside structure, what is the best thing to coat it with after I remove all the rust. I will be using a media blaster and also wondered what would be the best media to knock the rust. Thanks Guys !

redfire69 · #2 03-31-2010, 05:43 AM

Well, I've just been through this same process in my home garage. Definitely build the jig before cutting it up. I attached to the front sub mount, rear spring eye mounts and welded supports at the front of the frame rails to reduce movement. Also tack welded supports inside and across the door openings (w enough room to re-hang doors).

If I had it to do over, I would have set it up so I could install the one-piece floor from below instead of above, as it will not clear the dash and rear seat area w/out being notched. As the matter of fact, I should have gone out and bought a rotisserie which I will probably wind up doing anyway to finish out the underside. I also saved the one-piece floor install for last, as installing the inner/outer rockers as an assembly made the process much easier.

Good luck and post some pics! Ron

dhutton · #3 03-31-2010, 05:52 AM

This guy has done all the work for you including detailed plans for a body cart:

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showth...light=body+jig

Spend some time searching the body shop forum over there. You are likely to learn everything you need to know.

Don

ItDoRun · #4 03-31-2010, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhutton

This guy has done all the work for you including detailed plans for a body cart:

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showth...light=body+jig

Spend some time searching the body shop forum over there. You are likely to learn everything you need to know.

Don

Yep. That's the one you need to use. Very similar to the one Mike at Mike's Custom Cars uses. If you weren't changing rockers, you could probably get away with one not so extravagant, but this is the right jig for what you need to do. Make sure the jig is built square and level. Triple check the level before and during welding.

And Redfire is right about the floor installation. He and I both went through the windshield opening with our floors because of the jig designs we had.

Luv2exeler8 · #5 03-31-2010, 03:20 PM

This may be a dumb question, but this exact jig will work for a 69 also, correct ?

dhutton · #6 03-31-2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luv2exeler8

This may be a dumb question, but this exact jig will work for a 69 also, correct ?

It should work for any first gen F body.

Don

Luv2exeler8 · #7 03-31-2010, 06:37 PM

Thanks guys ! I'm having a jig built to those specs ya'll gave me so I can keep everything squared up. I will get some pics rolling soon prob with me working the grinder over my welds mostly....lol