landlubber Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Looking to patch a hole in my unibody/frame just in front of the drivers side rear spring shakel, what thickness of metal is recommended? Got a stick welder and am modestly compitent at using it, want to get it done before salt hits the road, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landlubber Posted December 10, 2010 Author Share Posted December 10, 2010 The only stock I have is 1/4in plate, probably a bit of an overkill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkbruin Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 You are patching over a unibody... there is no such thing as overkill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landlubber Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 Any ideas? I failed inspection for a spot that is about 8" on the rail where the inside and the bottom meet. I'm thinking just some angle iron. But I am no expert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 You are patching over a unibody... there is no such thing as overkill. Yes, there is. If the two pieces aren't at least similar in thickness, you don't get penetration on the thick piece without burning through the thin piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyleag89 Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 :agree: There is a spot on my frame that had to be repaired and it looks to be about an 1/8" thick at most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheapCherokee Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 i'm repairing a section of frame myself. you can see here and on the next page what i've been doing. http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1064643&page=2 I'm using 1/8" thick and so far its been great! lots of penetration and no burning holes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I had to cut out about a 16" section on the bottom of each frame rail, right about where the driver and passenger's butt sits. I used 3/16" mild steel plate and I had no problems burning through the existing, good steel on the frame rails. I concentrated the heat on the edge of the 3/16" plate and would drag the weld over to the thinner steel on the frame rails. Worked great and got excellent penetration. Went over it with a flapper sanding disc and contoured it into the frame rail so it looks like it was never touched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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