B-Pillar repair

[Torq_Shep]

Under 1/4 inch of bondo I found this... I can pop it out a bit better than the previous person but its pretty dinged up. Should I hunt for just this section of B pillar and weld it in or should I mess around with straightening and re-applying body filler? My guess is most of it would be under 1/4 inch but its pretty messed up.

[89 MJ]

I’d fix it. I’d use a Unispotter and a slide hammer until I got it how I wanted. 

 

I wouldn’t weld it in because it would take much longer. You will need to smear filler over where you welded anyways if you replace it. And the metal on these trucks is crazy thin, so it is pretty difficult not to blow holes through the metal. If nothing above changes your mind about not cutting it out, consider this. What if you warp it when you weld it? You are SOL. Then, you won’t be able to make that straight the right way. 

[Torq_Shep]

I don't think the picture shows the extent of the damage. I have done a fair bit of body work and this is right on the edge of welding in a different piece.

[ghetdjc320]

Have you thought about just brazing in  a piece there? I’d media blast that area, determine what if any metal repair is needed then straighten it out best i could. Then us some short hair fiberglass filler followed by a skim coat. Brazing has worked really well for me over welding the sheet metal 

[Dzimm]

After doing extensive sheet metal work on these trucks, I'd recommend just using body filler on it over cutting and replacing.  As mentioned the metal is super thin and VERY easy to blow through.  Regardless you will have to use body filler to cleanup the welds so might as well skip that entirely as long as there is no structural damage associated with those dents.

 

You may actually make the B-pillar weaker by cutting and replacing that piece as well if you can't get good welds on the entire perimeter of the patch.  Something to consider.

 

[Torq_Shep]

Yeah I messed around with it a bit. I am going to go buy the HF stud welder as I am too lazy to weld screws onto the body panel like I usually do. 

 

I think I can get it straight enough to be happy with putting a little filler over it vs. welding in a new piece. 

[89 MJ]

6 hours ago, Torq_Shep said:

Yeah I messed around with it a bit. I am going to go buy the HF stud welder as I am too lazy to weld screws onto the body panel like I usually do. 

 

I think I can get it straight enough to be happy with putting a little filler over it vs. welding in a new piece. 

Doing the stud welder is a MUCH better decision than welding in screws. I’m glad you decided to go that route.