rust repair level of difficulty - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**jocko** · 02-24-2010, 09:55 PM

Looking at a 55 1st series - concerned about the rust in the cowl/hinge area. I'm not an experienced welder, but have the mig gear and am all for fixing it myself - but interested in hearing from someone that's done this already - replacement panels for all the areas available from many suppliers. Pics show the worst areas - just wondering how much I'm getting in over my head on this - this is THE truck I've been looking for (1/2 ton, 3 window, 4 speed, 55.1) - most of it is very nice, but I suspect i will find a good bit more rust once I get a chance to see it in person - asking the above trying to decide if I want to drive 15 hrs round trip just to check it out (ouch). Thanks for your comments.
jocko

Steve@OldSub.com · 02-25-2010, 12:27 AM

Its hard to evaluate rust from photos. Those places are pretty common rust spots and patch panels are available to repair them. What would worry me most is that it appears someone has put bondo over rust in the past and I'd worry how much more is hidden behind bondo and paint.

Houston54 · 02-25-2010, 03:08 PM

Been there and done that to my 54.
It is not that hard to accomplish. Just need to make sure you brace the cab well front to back and side to side before you make the cuts.

There are lots of spot welds to be removed which is not hard if you have the right tool. I used a bit that drilled out the weld instead of cutting out around it.

If you have the grinder, drill and mig already then you are good to go.

Here are some pics of how I did those areas

Houston54 · 02-25-2010, 03:09 PM

More pics

I have more if you need them but it would probably be better to email them to you.

mylow53 · 02-25-2010, 03:15 PM

go for it theres plenty of guys here to guid you thru it. i was in the same boat 2 years ago. did all the major rust repair myself.....
GT

**jocko** · 02-25-2010, 09:28 PM

Hey, thanks all for the comments - and the pics were very helpful! Much appreciated. Driving south to look at it this weekend - will hopefully be posting the new member of the family in a week or so. Thanks again, this forum rocks.
- jocko

**jocko** · 02-25-2010, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Houston54

More pics

I have more if you need them but it would probably be better to email them to you.

Thanks very much - email is jockof18@hotmail.com
Appreciate the great info.
Take care,
Jocko

02-24-2010, 09:55 PM	#1
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,975	rust repair level of difficulty Looking at a 55 1st series - concerned about the rust in the cowl/hinge area. I'm not an experienced welder, but have the mig gear and am all for fixing it myself - but interested in hearing from someone that's done this already - replacement panels for all the areas available from many suppliers. Pics show the worst areas - just wondering how much I'm getting in over my head on this - this is THE truck I've been looking for (1/2 ton, 3 window, 4 speed, 55.1) - most of it is very nice, but I suspect i will find a good bit more rust once I get a chance to see it in person - asking the above trying to decide if I want to drive 15 hrs round trip just to check it out (ouch). Thanks for your comments. jocko Attached Images

02-25-2010, 12:27 AM	#2
Steve@OldSub.com Cancer Survivor in the making. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bainbridge Island, WA Posts: 303	Re: rust repair level of difficulty Its hard to evaluate rust from photos. Those places are pretty common rust spots and patch panels are available to repair them. What would worry me most is that it appears someone has put bondo over rust in the past and I'd worry how much more is hidden behind bondo and paint. __________________ '55 1st GMC Suburban - '54 GMC 1-ton trailer puller (in process) - '54 GMC 1-ton Hydra-Matic - '47 Chevy AD COE and lots more rusty old iron. Steve@OldSub.com OldSub.com . MaxwellGarage.com . OldGasTowRigs.com

02-25-2010, 03:08 PM	#3
Houston54 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: location Posts: 527	Re: rust repair level of difficulty Been there and done that to my 54. It is not that hard to accomplish. Just need to make sure you brace the cab well front to back and side to side before you make the cuts. There are lots of spot welds to be removed which is not hard if you have the right tool. I used a bit that drilled out the weld instead of cutting out around it. If you have the grinder, drill and mig already then you are good to go. Here are some pics of how I did those areas Last edited by Houston54; 06-07-2011 at 12:55 PM.

02-25-2010, 03:09 PM	#4
Houston54 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: location Posts: 527	Re: rust repair level of difficulty More pics I have more if you need them but it would probably be better to email them to you. Last edited by Houston54; 06-07-2011 at 12:55 PM.

02-25-2010, 03:15 PM	#5
mylow53 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: thousand oaks, California Posts: 732	Re: rust repair level of difficulty go for it theres plenty of guys here to guid you thru it. i was in the same boat 2 years ago. did all the major rust repair myself..... GT __________________ Greg 1953 chevy 1/2 ton 5 window, chevy 350 330 horse 700r tranz, lowering spindels mustang 2 frount. ford 9", airbags on 4 corners . purchased in 1983 for $325 while in high school http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=215079&page=5

02-25-2010, 09:28 PM	#6
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,975	Re: rust repair level of difficulty Hey, thanks all for the comments - and the pics were very helpful! Much appreciated. Driving south to look at it this weekend - will hopefully be posting the new member of the family in a week or so. Thanks again, this forum rocks. - jocko

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