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This picture is a really good diagram of the work I have to do to my Core support. the core support is the vertical piece directly behind the headlights and grille. Its main Job is to hold the radiator in place, and the front of the fenders together. this is a modified picture, I knew you didn’t want it stretched all the way across the screen of your computer. In the areas circled in blue, you can really see how badly it was rusted. These pictures were taken after I had it sandblasted. The lower parts that completely rusted through is were two pieces of metal placed against each other, and water and bad stuff got in between and rusted the metal away. I am afraid that if I don’t get rid of as much rusty metal as I can, that my truck will fall apart someday. Oh wait, it probably will anyway ;-)
Also, along the bottom of the radiator opening, there are pinhole rust areas all the way across. This is not good. It means I will have to cut all that out and weld new metal along the length as well. Also, just like the firewall, I am going to fill in as many holes as I can.
You will be able to see more of this rust damage in some of the other pictures on this page. this rust is one of the first things I plan to tackle when I get home from school for summer break. I am attending the University of Dayton.
| This is a picture of the front passenger corner. I had to weld a patch panel into the lower portion, right where the body line runs. The original one was dented, and there was a huge crack in the metal. To the right of the fender, you can see the core support again, and the extensive rust in that area.
You can also see the color of primer that this truck is going to be. It looks like a yellowish beige. |
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This is a good picture of the repair i had to make to the cowl of my truck. The cowl is the area right in front of, and below the windshield. This repair is right above the drivers side fender. I cut out all the rust, and welded new pieces in. After I cut the hole, I used a piece of cardboard to give me the exact shape of the hole. After I had the right shape, I cut the pieces out of flat sheet metal. I used two pieces to fill the hole, since it was the easiest way. Once I had the small piece fitted really nicely, I welded it in, then I bent and welded the big piece into place.
This area still needs to have the welds ground down smooth with the surrounding metal, and I will need to apply some body filler to smooth it out perfectly.
There is also another repair i have to do to my cowl. The place where the drivers side windshield wiper mounts got messed up. I think that somehow, the wiper mount became loose, and it just worked itself back and forth, and wore this area out.