My hacked up dash, should I attempt to weld?

[Isaiah92260]

I never welded before. Been reading online how-to's beginners welding, thinking about buying a shrilled mig welder from harbor freight, of course I'm gonna do a lot of practice first, but does anyone have any advice I should know about self welding a replacment section? How do I accurately measure that area that I need to cut and weld, Should I weld on a the whole panel or just the pieces depending on the damage? If not I also was thinking about finding a shop near me that I can pay, but I want to learn how to weld anyways so I might do it myself. I mostly likely will buy a replacement panel for 60-63 from brothers or whoever Sells it cheaper, Thanks in advance everyone.

[Isaiah92260]

Why are there always Retardid Micky mouse previous owners that love Drilling stupid holes into the dahs and like using tin snips to cut the radio holes???!?!?!? Lol it pains me to look at my radio cuz I drive the truck everyday .-. Lol

[Backpayne]

Practice welding on thin metal first, a lot! If not careful you will burn through and make it even worse.

[63burban]

I would suggest having someone with experience do that one, that's ugly dude !

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by 63burban

I would suggest having someone with experience do that one, that's ugly dude !

lol I know man that whole damn thing needs to be replaced

[Captainfab]

Quite honestly, welding sheetmetal is not something easy for a beginner. If you're not very careful, you will end up with a much bigger mess that what you have now. If you really want to make the repair yourself, buy a decent MIG welder, not one from HF, and practice, practice, practice on pieces of sheetmetal fro a few months first. Also watch plenty of videos on welding sheetmetal.

A welder from Miller, Hobart or Lincoln would be a good choice. The initial investment will be more but at least the welder will still be worth something in a few years. Plus it can be repaired if needed.

[60chevyjim]

if you do attempt to do it yourself cover the windshield
before doing any cutting grinding or welding so you don't ruin the windshield .
that looks like a bad plumber put the radio in .

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Quite honestly, welding sheetmetal is not something easy for a beginner. If you're not very careful, you will end up with a much bigger mess that what you have now. If you really want to make the repair yourself, buy a decent MIG welder, not one from HF, and practice, practice, practice on pieces of sheetmetal fro a few months first. Also watch plenty of videos on welding sheetmetal.

Thank you for your advice. I've been researching, I plan on buying a welder in a couple of weeks. Most likely I'm gonna take the replacement panel to a professional, I want it to be done right

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by 60chevyjim

if you do attempt to do it yourself cover the windshield
before doing any cutting grinding or welding so you don't ruin the windshield .
that looks like a bad plumber put the radio in .

I'll make sure to do so.... I know, the even wrinkled the metal above the seem, I was hopping I could flatten that out some how and buy a radio delete plate but I gave up on that because I also have those dumb random holes in the middle

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by 60chevyjim

if you do attempt to do it yourself cover the windshield
before doing any cutting grinding or welding so you don't ruin the windshield .
that looks like a bad plumber put the radio in .

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Quite honestly, welding sheetmetal is not something easy for a beginner. If you're not very careful, you will end up with a much bigger mess that what you have now. If you really want to make the repair yourself, buy a decent MIG welder, not one from HF, and practice, practice, practice on pieces of sheetmetal fro a few months first. Also watch plenty of videos on welding sheetmetal.

A welder from Miller, Hobart or Lincoln would be a good choice. The initial investment will be more but at least the welder will still be worth something in a few years. Plus it can be repaired if needed.

I'm gonna practice a lot before I start tackling any major repairs on my truck

[vince1]

I got some good advice here on filling screw holes in doors. Put a cut down nail in from the back side and weld it in. About those big upper holes, maybe cut down some electrical box slugs to fit. Put a magnet across to align before tacking them in.

My first MIG welding was with a 110V rental. It didn't like to go continuous so I got the job done using a series of short zaps. That might work in your case.

Then there is the possibility that a better job could be done by someone good at TIG welding.

[tinydb84]

I wouldnt make that repair your first. You are going to be staring at it every time you drive your truck and if its not right it will drive you nuts.

Find a local welding class and/or body work class if you can. I took both at night and learned so much more than I ever did in reading/watching youtube.

[forestb]

Just a thought but would it be easier to find an better dash in a junk yard and replace the hole dash. Then you only have to deal with spot welds. Just a thought I have no experience with welding or replacing a dash.

[BigSix]

Whatever you do don't buy an off-brand welder. They have irregular feeding issues, voltage issues...just not worth it. Go for a Miller, Lincoln, Hobart or if you want to get exotic theres ESAB and Everlast. Also, you'll get good at sheetmetal once you practice. I have to get in close and do tons of tacks. Can't really just run a bead with sheetmetal. Also, do yourself a favor and get a 220V welder with gas bottle. I run mine through a very heavy gauge cord from my dryer and its a world of difference from the 110V I had.

[PGSigns]

I would work the metal around the radio first to see how good you can get it. Then once you see what you have it may be a good project not to weld and to panel bond it. Will not have to worry about welding in the cab or the panel warpage you will get from welding. Dash and inside door repairs are perfect places to use the panel bond.
Jimmy

[forestb]

I don't know how stock of a look you are going for but you could try hammering out that top edge (which requires some practice in itself) and then youse some sort of panel to cover it up. Maybe put some extra Gage's there or find an original radio deleat plate to cover it up. Or maybe a nice cover that goes from under the radio hole to over the heater controls and cut holes in it for the heater controls and ash tray.

[Isaiah92260]

Thanks everyone, I took all your advice and started to reshape it and plan on getting a radio delete, the PO cut off a lot of metal from the top so I am positive that I'll have a gap at the top when the delete is in place, I'll have to think of something for that but I think I did a okay job

[Isaiah92260]

Better lighting

[vince1]

When you get it ready to paint Nissan Sunlit Sand is a pretty close match. I buy it in a Duplicolor rattle can.

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by vince1

When you get it ready to paint Nissan Sunlit Sand is a pretty close match. I buy it in a Duplicolor rattle can.

Awesome! Thanks so much for the paint match tip!

[badherb]

I have to say for a first project in welding it might be a really tough one. but I like to learn things and do it my self. I have welded many thing in my life but never sheet metal. I would never say Im a welder I stick metal together. but as you can see with a lot of time and patience you can get good results. Advise earlier yes practice a lot! but if you decide to do it remember these words: TAKE YOUR TIME! many sessions of a few zaps here and there is much better than getting it done quickly. just ask me I know very well how sheet metal will turn to a pile of shinola right before your very eyes. Below is my same project. Kinda.