55-59 chevy cab seams - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

izonme13 · 10-05-2013, 07:33 PM

About to start patch panels. Was wondering about welding the seams in the door jams, cowl area and around front windshield. Could they be welded and is it a bad idea? Give your insight here....thanks!!

blue57 · 10-05-2013, 07:57 PM

In the process of welding the cab seams in my dads 58. Only reason we are doing it is because it was started years ago. You dont really see it and it alot of work.

GMtrucknut!! · 10-05-2013, 09:07 PM

I gave the idea a thought myself but have decided that it would be a lot of work and I am building mine into a really nice daily driver. So I decided not to do that so if I have to repair mine later so I think it would make a spot to break the paint there .

55dude · 10-05-2013, 09:20 PM

Put the effort into something else like relaxing with your feet up!

55metalmonkey · 10-07-2013, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by izonme13

About to start patch panels. Was wondering about welding the seams in the door jams, cowl area and around front windshield. Could they be welded and is it a bad idea? Give your insight here....thanks!!

Pictures would be helpful since the amount of rot is really the driving factor on how its tackled. Grinding a weld flush in a valley isnt overly challenging but it takes a long..long...long time to get it to look seamless, also you could break through in a thin area and have to weld/ grind that as well. Sometimes it's just easier to cut it back to an easily accessable area outside the rotted spot and minimize the grinding in difficult areas.
Lots of patchs done in the build threads which might be of some use to you.

izonme13 · 10-07-2013, 08:47 PM

I guess my question didn't apply to installing the patch panels. It is directed to the body assembly seams as in the cab jams, cowl area and across the top of the front windshield. I do have to do some tacking in spots and just thought about tacking the seams completely and smoothing. Thanks for the info guys!!

OrrieG · 10-07-2013, 08:57 PM

I left the factory seams, inside and out. The way I am going to use my truck I am afraid of cracking down the line. These trucks were designed to move and flex, I was always advised to leave them that way unless you are going to be only driving on the nice smooth roads we have in America or trailering it around from show to show.

Kabwe · 10-07-2013, 10:13 PM

I welded most of the seams other than the door jams. They well not crack if you weld them. The frame was designed to flex, but if you installed IFS it is now giving you your movement that is the purpose of boxing the frame. No more need for the frame to flex let the IFS do its job. Just don't use only filler, weld them and you will never have an issue.

55metalmonkey · 10-10-2013, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by izonme13

I guess my question didn't apply to installing the patch panels. It is directed to the body assembly seams as in the cab jams, cowl area and across the top of the front windshield. I do have to do some tacking in spots and just thought about tacking the seams completely and smoothing. Thanks for the info guys!!

Ahh, all clear now. I left mine the way they were.
I do like the seamless look though as long as it's welded and not body filler/ fiberglass there shouldn't be any cracking issues

izonme13 · 10-11-2013, 01:34 PM

Thanks guys. Think im going to weld them up. The frame will also be fully boxed. Hope this goes well! Lol

_Ogre · 10-11-2013, 02:08 PM

it's a lot like boxing your frame or shaving the firewall seam.
does it have to be done? no, and most people won't notice.
when they do, they'll give a nod and say nice work

10-05-2013, 07:33 PM	#1
izonme13 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: medford, OR Posts: 80	55-59 chevy cab seams About to start patch panels. Was wondering about welding the seams in the door jams, cowl area and around front windshield. Could they be welded and is it a bad idea? Give your insight here....thanks!!

10-05-2013, 07:57 PM	#2
blue57 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Victorville, CA Posts: 469	Re: 55-59 chevy cab seams In the process of welding the cab seams in my dads 58. Only reason we are doing it is because it was started years ago. You dont really see it and it alot of work. __________________ my build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522711

10-05-2013, 09:07 PM	#3
GMtrucknut!! Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Attica,indiana Posts: 264	Re: 55-59 chevy cab seams I gave the idea a thought myself but have decided that it would be a lot of work and I am building mine into a really nice daily driver. So I decided not to do that so if I have to repair mine later so I think it would make a spot to break the paint there .

10-05-2013, 09:20 PM	#4
55dude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: tacoma wa. Posts: 1,037	Re: 55-59 chevy cab seams Put the effort into something else like relaxing with your feet up!

10-07-2013, 08:47 PM	#6
izonme13 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: medford, OR Posts: 80	Re: 55-59 chevy cab seams I guess my question didn't apply to installing the patch panels. It is directed to the body assembly seams as in the cab jams, cowl area and across the top of the front windshield. I do have to do some tacking in spots and just thought about tacking the seams completely and smoothing. Thanks for the info guys!!

10-07-2013, 08:57 PM	#7
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: 55-59 chevy cab seams I left the factory seams, inside and out. The way I am going to use my truck I am afraid of cracking down the line. These trucks were designed to move and flex, I was always advised to leave them that way unless you are going to be only driving on the nice smooth roads we have in America or trailering it around from show to show. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

10-07-2013, 10:13 PM	#8
Kabwe Certified Car Nut Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inglewood, California Posts: 3,118	Re: 55-59 chevy cab seams I welded most of the seams other than the door jams. They well not crack if you weld them. The frame was designed to flex, but if you installed IFS it is now giving you your movement that is the purpose of boxing the frame. No more need for the frame to flex let the IFS do its job. Just don't use only filler, weld them and you will never have an issue. Last edited by Kabwe; 10-08-2013 at 11:32 AM.

10-11-2013, 01:34 PM	#10
izonme13 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: medford, OR Posts: 80	Re: 55-59 chevy cab seams Thanks guys. Think im going to weld them up. The frame will also be fully boxed. Hope this goes well! Lol

10-11-2013, 02:08 PM	#11
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: 55-59 chevy cab seams it's a lot like boxing your frame or shaving the firewall seam. does it have to be done? no, and most people won't notice. when they do, they'll give a nod and say nice work __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer



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