BlazinLow_inORE
12-19-04, 01:54 AM
Welding in Tail Light Filler Panels
http://www.buildyourride.com/98s10/trucknolight.jpg
Here is a side view of the tail light bucket. There are a couple things you want to do to prepare it for the filler panel. First you want to grind or sand the paint off about half an inch around the entire perimeter of the opening. Second you are going to want to weld the 2 nuts that hold on the tail gate latch bracket to the body. This is so you can take off the brackets after the fillers are welded in and you have no access to the nuts. Now test fit the filler panel and trim if necessary.
http://www.buildyourride.com/98s10/weld.jpg
Here's a shot of the filler welded in place. You just have to start at one side and work your way around putting spot welds every 4 or so inches. Then when the filler panel is where you want it you can go back and spot weld the rest of the panel in. If you weld a continuous bead around the filler panel you will warp the metal. It's best to do alot of spaced out spot welds until the entire panel is welded on.
http://www.buildyourride.com/98s10/weldground.jpg
After everything is welded you can take a grinder and grind everything some what smooth. Next it is time to bondo.
http://www.buildyourride.com/98s10/truckback.jpg
This is a picture from right after the driver side panel was welded on. The passenger side has already been welded, bondoed, and primered. The same goes for the stock tailgate handle hole.
http://www.buildyourride.com/98s10/trucknolight.jpg
Here is a side view of the tail light bucket. There are a couple things you want to do to prepare it for the filler panel. First you want to grind or sand the paint off about half an inch around the entire perimeter of the opening. Second you are going to want to weld the 2 nuts that hold on the tail gate latch bracket to the body. This is so you can take off the brackets after the fillers are welded in and you have no access to the nuts. Now test fit the filler panel and trim if necessary.
http://www.buildyourride.com/98s10/weld.jpg
Here's a shot of the filler welded in place. You just have to start at one side and work your way around putting spot welds every 4 or so inches. Then when the filler panel is where you want it you can go back and spot weld the rest of the panel in. If you weld a continuous bead around the filler panel you will warp the metal. It's best to do alot of spaced out spot welds until the entire panel is welded on.
http://www.buildyourride.com/98s10/weldground.jpg
After everything is welded you can take a grinder and grind everything some what smooth. Next it is time to bondo.
http://www.buildyourride.com/98s10/truckback.jpg
This is a picture from right after the driver side panel was welded on. The passenger side has already been welded, bondoed, and primered. The same goes for the stock tailgate handle hole.