2x6 (+1”) Rocker Mod
#31
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Painted the lower body area that’s getting covered & the back side of the boat side plate.
Used a jack to flex the plate into position.
Here you can see where the plate flexes and why the tie ins are different front and rear. Make sure to grind smooth the welds at the bottom of where the tie ins and frame meet. I also had to smooth up a couple of welds from my frame stiffeners. I wouldn’t suggest doing this whole mod until after ya put in frame stiffeners, would be a major pita to weld to the thin “frame”.
Used a jack to flex the plate into position.
Here you can see where the plate flexes and why the tie ins are different front and rear. Make sure to grind smooth the welds at the bottom of where the tie ins and frame meet. I also had to smooth up a couple of welds from my frame stiffeners. I wouldn’t suggest doing this whole mod until after ya put in frame stiffeners, would be a major pita to weld to the thin “frame”.
#32
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
This is the 1” hole I drilled to plug weld to the tie ins.
I used a jack to push the plate against the tie in
Then plug welded it. Do these first to get your plate to contour correctly.
I used a jack to push the plate against the tie in
Then plug welded it. Do these first to get your plate to contour correctly.
#33
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Here’s that 3/16-1/4” overlap on the frame. You can see how the frame has a beveled contour in this area. The overlap should add a tremendous amount of strength here.
And all welded in 👍
And all welded in 👍
#34
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Next I didn’t like this area all open and exposed. Plus I wanted to reinforce the spring mount to.
Used the latest CAD design software 😋
Plasma cut a 3/16” piece and tacked it in. Grab a deep 13/16” socket and make sure you can access the bolt before ya weld it in.
When welding this you’ll want to keep the spring bushing cool. I used a spray bottle before and after welding.
Used the latest CAD design software 😋
Plasma cut a 3/16” piece and tacked it in. Grab a deep 13/16” socket and make sure you can access the bolt before ya weld it in.
When welding this you’ll want to keep the spring bushing cool. I used a spray bottle before and after welding.
#35
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Now to fill the end gaps. Here’s the rear one.
I cut this out and folded the inner fender back.
More hi tech cad work 😋
Got it tacked in then final welded. That spring perch is fully reinforced now 👍
Up front I cut just a little lower than this line
Then folded it over.
Made a template
Pieces tacked in.
Then welded in. I used seam sealer to fill in the gaps and prep for paint.
I cut this out and folded the inner fender back.
More hi tech cad work 😋
Got it tacked in then final welded. That spring perch is fully reinforced now 👍
Up front I cut just a little lower than this line
Then folded it over.
Made a template
Pieces tacked in.
Then welded in. I used seam sealer to fill in the gaps and prep for paint.
#36
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
I ground the welds fairly smooth so things don’t hang up on them. Then primered the bare metal.
A couple coats of bed liner and it’s looking pretty good! I’ll probably put one more coat on while I do the doors.
How the rear turned out.
And the front. Next time I’d probably put the tie in flush with the end of the plate but this’ll work. Now to get the doors done 😋
A couple coats of bed liner and it’s looking pretty good! I’ll probably put one more coat on while I do the doors.
How the rear turned out.
And the front. Next time I’d probably put the tie in flush with the end of the plate but this’ll work. Now to get the doors done 😋
#39
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
moisture will be able to drain out by the frame, not much room for it to get in. I’m running doors, just cutting the bottom. That’s next as soon as I can get some time away from work 🙄
#40
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Pasquotank, NC
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Outstanding work. I like the attention to detail and the thorough documentation with good pics.
What kind of work do you do? I assume something in the fabrication industry. If I had to guess, I would say you probably work at the shipyard up there (I noticed you labeled the plate inboard on the bottom of plate).
What kind of work do you do? I assume something in the fabrication industry. If I had to guess, I would say you probably work at the shipyard up there (I noticed you labeled the plate inboard on the bottom of plate).
#41
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Currently I’m a locomotive engineer, but I also was an auto mechanic and worked at Boeing. So trains, planes & automobiles has been my career path 😂. Learned a lot at Boeing on fabrication and locating parts. Thanks for the kind words 👍
#42
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Now for the doors. I cut along the yellow line, flush with the bottom. Cut just the inside panel for now.
The ends are a pain to get the line level.
Before cutting, move the window regulator tube thingy so it doesn’t get cut.
The ends are a pain to get the line level.
Before cutting, move the window regulator tube thingy so it doesn’t get cut.
#43
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Cut the inside panel
Then along the dotted line which is the body line about an inch from the bottom of the door.
Like this. Cut thru both panels on the ends.
Then cut at the ends here and
Here.
Comes out looking like this.
Then along the dotted line which is the body line about an inch from the bottom of the door.
Like this. Cut thru both panels on the ends.
Then cut at the ends here and
Here.
Comes out looking like this.
#44
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
On the ends is this door edge area.
Carefully cut the inner panel.
Then clean it up like this.
I cleaned off the paint for welding.
Take your time and get the ends level with the rest.
Like this.
Carefully cut the inner panel.
Then clean it up like this.
I cleaned off the paint for welding.
Take your time and get the ends level with the rest.
Like this.
#45
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
I made these patches out of heavy gauge sheet metal, 16ga I think.
Tacked then in.
A lot of tack welds 😋
Cleaned up the welds, then started bending the lip over.
Got it pretty flat.
To get a good, tight edge I heated up the sheet metal with a propane torch till it just started to turn color, then tapped it over with a hammer.
The ends I heated to and worked into shape with a sharp tipped hammer.
A bunch more tack welds.
A little clean up grinding
And a couple of coats of bedliner and it’s done 👍 Now repeat 3 more times...
Tacked then in.
A lot of tack welds 😋
Cleaned up the welds, then started bending the lip over.
Got it pretty flat.
To get a good, tight edge I heated up the sheet metal with a propane torch till it just started to turn color, then tapped it over with a hammer.
The ends I heated to and worked into shape with a sharp tipped hammer.
A bunch more tack welds.
A little clean up grinding
And a couple of coats of bedliner and it’s done 👍 Now repeat 3 more times...