mrtask
Well-Known Member
I've embarked on restoring my '72 3500. Off with the rear wings, to reveal a rotten mess! I've drilled out the spot welds attaching the c-shaped channel for the wing-to-body seal, and the rear splash panel.
1). How do I now remove the rotten remains of the lower splash panels (a sort of triangular-ish shape to which the muflaps are attached) which seem to be spot and seam welded to the rear upper trailing arm mounting brackets and the boot support box section?
2). If I undo the rear trailing arms for better access will the car drop down lower if I don't support the boot?
3). Is it possible to repair the boot support box section, which has a 2" rusty hole on the passenger side just in front of the rear upper trailing arm mounting bracket?
4). Is it possible to replace the inner D-post panel (concave outer leading edge of inner rear arch, shaped a bit like a sharks fin, behind outer D-post wheel arch, visible with rear door open) and the vertical flat sections at the rear of the D-post (below short 2" straight section of c-shaped channel for wing-to-body seal) without removing the whole D-post?
5). Will I have to remove the petrol tank before welding new metal into the inner D-post upper panel where it meets the top outer edge of the inner arch proper (from where the wing-to-body seal attaches down)?
6). What kind of welding outfit will I need to borrow/hire to fit the replacement steel panels? What would a suitable bit of kit cost to buy? A friend (an experienced mechanic and classic car enthusiast) has offered to teach me how to weld while fixing the first rear arch, hopefully I'll learn fast doing the 2nd arch under his close supervision!
Any and all advice very gratefully recieved. Help me keep my classic on the road!
1). How do I now remove the rotten remains of the lower splash panels (a sort of triangular-ish shape to which the muflaps are attached) which seem to be spot and seam welded to the rear upper trailing arm mounting brackets and the boot support box section?
2). If I undo the rear trailing arms for better access will the car drop down lower if I don't support the boot?
3). Is it possible to repair the boot support box section, which has a 2" rusty hole on the passenger side just in front of the rear upper trailing arm mounting bracket?
4). Is it possible to replace the inner D-post panel (concave outer leading edge of inner rear arch, shaped a bit like a sharks fin, behind outer D-post wheel arch, visible with rear door open) and the vertical flat sections at the rear of the D-post (below short 2" straight section of c-shaped channel for wing-to-body seal) without removing the whole D-post?
5). Will I have to remove the petrol tank before welding new metal into the inner D-post upper panel where it meets the top outer edge of the inner arch proper (from where the wing-to-body seal attaches down)?
6). What kind of welding outfit will I need to borrow/hire to fit the replacement steel panels? What would a suitable bit of kit cost to buy? A friend (an experienced mechanic and classic car enthusiast) has offered to teach me how to weld while fixing the first rear arch, hopefully I'll learn fast doing the 2nd arch under his close supervision!
Any and all advice very gratefully recieved. Help me keep my classic on the road!