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: fixing panel under ambulance doors 22_pilot 01-02-2003, 08:31 PM Okay, I know I'm a newbie and all, but I'm working at it. I want to fix the completely rusted out and gone panel between the bumper and the ambulance doors on my '78 fj40. I've heard that just using square tubing is cheaper and almost as good. I actually did some pricing on it, and it is way cheaper, by about $90 bucks, than a factory part. Anyone ever done this, or have any info on how to? Lord Baskerville 01-02-2003, 08:45 PM May be able to take a pic of the Wifes cruzer this week end and show you hers... Just cut, fit, weld... Make it function and look nice:) Cory 22_pilot 01-03-2003, 07:57 AM that's what i was thinking, but i just wanted to check before i murdered my cruiser 22_pilot 01-03-2003, 08:00 AM anyone know anyone who does good welding for cheap in utah county? wngrog 01-03-2003, 08:47 AM Mine is just square tubing... Box Rocket 01-03-2003, 09:21 AM 22_pilot, Mine is just square tubing as well. One thing you'll need to keep in mind however, is that the rear sill on a '78 has a "notch" along the the top outer edge that allows the ambulance doors to close flush with the body. If you just use square tubing "as is" you will lose that and your doors won't close properly. When I did mine, I cut the edge out of the tubing and welded in a small piece of angle iron along the length, giving me the necessary "notch" for my doors to close. We have a few members of our club (wasatch Cruisers) in Utah county. There are a couple that should be able to help you with your needs or point you somewhere else if they are too busy or something. PM me and I'll send you the e-mail addresses. 22_pilot 01-03-2003, 09:44 AM If there isn't anything under the doors right now will that still affect it? What was there is completely gone and rusted out. There is just a 2 1/2 inch gap now, so they don't really close completely anyway. Box Rocket 01-03-2003, 09:58 AM If you're trying to fix it, why not do it right so you don't have to do it again later? It's not that much work. If you've got someone with a welder, a torch, or better yet, a plasma cutter you can have it back together in a few hours and it'll be correct, not just a bubblegum and duct tape fix. 22_pilot 01-03-2003, 11:27 AM I mean to do it right. I was just saying that I can't get it worse than it is right now. Do you have a pic of what yours looks like with the angle iron? I'm having trouble picturing it. Box Rocket 01-03-2003, 12:44 PM I've probably got one somewhere but I'll need to try to locate it. | |