To shave or not to shave.

[72c20customcamper]

The raindrip /gutter is rotten on the firewall side . The gutter on the cowl has a couple of minor holes. I was going to shave it but on a completely stock truck it may look weird. I did buy a firewall panel in Carlisle that was damaged for cheap. My plan was to piece it in . But will be much more work. Here are some pics.

[72c20customcamper]

Plan to cut and splice it completely from end to end on approximately this line.

[Grumpy old man]

Shave it off , Shave it off completely , ( Come over to the dark side )




the bottom of the gutter is only 1 thickness of sheet metal , if yours already has pin holes in it you may want to take a real good look from inside the cab to see how solid that area really is .

[cornerstone]

I'd say its probably near the same amount of work either way. Just depends if you want it to remain stock looking. Do you plan on taking the engine out? Do you have a spot welder? ...if the answer is no to either I say shave it.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Shave it off , Shave it off completely , ( Come over to the dark side )




the bottom of the gutter is only 1 thickness of sheet metal , if yours already has pin holes in it you may want to take a real good look from inside the cab to see how solid that area really is .

You talked me into painting the truck . I see your point but I'm going to use it in the cold so the heater has to stay

Originally Posted by cornerstone

I'd say its probably near the same amount of work either way. Just depends if you want it to remain stock looking. Do you plan on taking the engine out? Do you have a spot welder? ...if the answer is no to either I say shave it.

Not planning on the engine coming out. But splicing it in isn't hard with the engine in place. I have a mig tig and a plasma cutter. Spot welder I don't have.

[57larry]

I'd shave it but don't get carried away and shave the rain gutters above the doors

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by 57larry

I'd shave it but don't get carried away and shave the rain gutters above the doors

The roof gutters are perfect. Wouldn't even consider it.

It's something I can think about all winter. Had to light the woodstove today , and the summer cars are all put away. No heat in my workshop so by next spring after 4-5 months of cold and snow I may just be putting an ls in it.

[cornerstone]

Originally Posted by 57larry

and shave the rain gutters above the doors

???

I'd bet that 90% of people wouldn't even notice a mild shave. Just focus on repairing the rusty area and blend the paint in. When I think of a shaved firewall I think fully smoothed out and no imperfections. You can leave a factory stock appearance and get it water tight.