A way overdue Thank You!....

Yeah, I believe threre are bolts? I gave up on those & just used copper gasket stuff. That did the trick way better.

 

Nice writeup. I am glad you are able and courageous enough to try and fix your own truck. And yes, this forum has a lot of folks who will help you.

Do you have a thread about painting your truck? I am interested, as I want to paint mine since the paint is getting old and clear coat is coming off.

Thanks!

 

Same here. Looks like you've tackled some pretty challenging stuff. I've been lucky not to have broken any bolts... Nice work.

 

It's a shame you're so far away, I'm a retired welder of 54 yrs. I'd be glad to show you, give me something to do, i miss it.

 

That would be awesome to have an experienced teacher. Do you have a welder you would suggest purchasing that would handle most welding needs on automobiles?

 

I do not. It was/is a "50 footer" & there are many things I would have done different. Don't get me wrong, even the people in my hood who thought I was nucking futs (pardon my french) when I started it (What the heck is she doing now?!?!), have given it compliments. Soooo...., I'd be more than happy to outline what I did, as well as what I would do different, as long as it's understood that I have 0 expertise. Basically, I just winged it.... I am sure there are others on here who have done the same thing & knew what they were doing & it'd be totally understandable if you went that route.

Here's a pic taken last fall....

 

On my to-do list.... Good question. Looking forward to the response & @Wyoming09 might have some input here as well.

I keep hoping one of my tool loaner neighbors would get into welding

 

Depends on how often your using it .

Is this your full time job where your machine gets used every day or a least several times a week or more like a few times a month if that and lives under your Bed most of the Time.

Going New I would go with Miller or Lincoln whoever has the best customer support in your area.

Part time hobby use I would go with Hobart the major difference is plastic in some wire feed parts

I hear Good things about the Vulcan Line sold by Harbor Fright as I don`t at this time service them I can`t say Having looked at one if they were Red I would think built in the same plant just thinking out loud.

Then it comes Down to the skill of the person using it nothing that can`t be done with a 120VAC machine once your skills are up to speed .

Working on trucks it seems I move the feeder to the best spot quite often.

 

In this part of the world welding on a Truck is about the most difficult out there Out of position Rusty and Dirty who knows what sprayed on the added fun of fuel and brake lines Wire Harnesses etc

Yes you or I could no doubt pull off using a Stick welder to weld things on these Trucks if that was the only option .

Being for the most 3/16" is about the thickest metal unless your doing spindle Gussets or a rear axle truss by that time one should have a decent set of skills .

With wire welding keeping the Gun straight is half the battle consumables are just that but I have Customers that seem to think Consumable means lasts forever . Liners and contact Tips to me are cheap

The Down side not knowing How to weld even a Demo is not much help . Like going for a test drive before you ever drove a vehicle yourself yes it goes down the road .

Though Kristi would no doubt download the operators manuals and be able to quote chapter and verse in a day or two

 

Your comment about being taken advantage of got me thinkin' about how I joined TW. I knew something was wrong with the body mount job this "mechanic" did because the truck felt worse, unsafe even. I did some internet searches & Boila!, there was TW. After posting some pics, etc., I was armed with the facts I needed to return & demand my money back. Oh, & later went back for the four rad washers I found out were not installed. I had made my mind up somewhere between "talking" with TW folks & arriving at the mechanic's to try doing the bushings myself. My point is, although I am sure this is not a new concept, what an awesome resource for people who want to verify work done. Also whether they need something done & what that is prior to taking it to a shop. There are forums out there for just about every make & model with members who I bet would be willing to help others not be taken advantage of by arming them with the info they need. Think I'm going to start encouraging people I know to try this out.... So, thanks!

 

The heat shield under the front passenger on my truck was bent/loose when I got my truck. I unbolted it, added a large fender washer and haven't thought about it for 6 years now. Maybe this will help you chase down the noise.

 

I must ask @Kristi with a K what is a "50 footer" paint job?

 

It looks great til you get up close....

 

So I guess it's kinda like it looks good from far, but 'tis far from good...