body panel cutting methods

What's the best way to cut a piece of the panel out and cut another piece that will be a good fit for the hole?

 

I use those cutoff wheels that go onto your drill get it close then trim with an angle grinder to make an exact match.

 

Ok. The rear end on the 74 I'm going to drive is bent up pretty good. I was thinking of chopping the rear of the 77 off from about mid wheel well and replacing the other with it. Neither have tailgates so I don't suppose that would be a problem.

 

So you're going to put the whole rear section of one tub on to the other one? Or just the 1/4 panels?

 

The cutoff wheels are the best way, but that is gonna take a heck of alot of them. Do you have or do you know anybody with a good body saw??

 

Here's a source if you want more tools http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=521&itemType=CATEGORY&iMainCat=516&iSubCat=521 If you're gonna section the tub I'd look at maybe where the floor riser is. No wheel well boxes, has a line to follow etc. Just remember: measure twice, cut once.

 

I thought that was measure 34 times, cut 6 times and finally settle for it being wrong.:? That's the way it always ends up for me anyway.

 

I think that would be a good line to take. I didn't want to try and cut around the channel at the top. Only thing is if I cut it around the floor and weld it back, the weld will be harder to smooth out. That is, if I'm undestanding you correctly.

 

Tin snips, got a pnuematic cutoff tool fromEastwood years ago(didn't see it listed)that works real well. Reciprocating saw and cuttoff tools in my Bosche grinder. And if all else fails or I'm gonna get even with it...torch:twisted:

 

I can manage to get the bad part off. I think I can prolly get the good part off. If I do by chance get the good part up to where the bad part was, aren't you supposed to just tack it around to keep it from warping?

 

Actually the torch would probably be a decent idea to start with in this case. Cut each piece longer than you want it to be with the torch and it will make it easier to get in there with an angle grinder to get it to the line you want it. It'll save time and cutoff wheels, but you gotta be careful doing it.

 

Sawzall with a fine toof blade, even better than plasma cutter. Torch is the last tool I'd use...

 

If it can be done clean with a sawzall, I can handle that.

 

It can be done pretty clean with a sawzall and that would actually be your best bet if you have one to use. I would add in a little bit and go back and fine tune the line with an angle grinder to make sure it's right, I love angle grinders.


I guess the first post after you asked this question should have been what do you have to cut with, so that we could have given a little better advice. I have done stuff like this with just about everything you can think of, and you can make just about anything work as long as you have teh angle grinder to clean up all the edges. The torch would warp the metal, and you usually have to allow at least an inch or more, and that makes it that much harder to clean up. Use teh sawzall, I was able to fit two VW beetles in the back of a short wheelbase pickup with a sawzall.

 

sawzall it is

 

My method is probably about the same as the sawzall, but since I don't have one of those, I use my Bosch jigsaw. I suspect any hand-held jigsaw with a moderate amount of power, and adjustable rpms would do. Bosch makes several different blades, allowing for very precise (small) cuts, curve cuts, etc. I'm a lot better at the cutting than the welding. Die grinder or angle grinder make for good mop-up afterwards.

 

You'll want good ear protectors...that Sawzall going through sheet metal is going to make some racket! Of course, so is the angle grinder working on the edge. But it's GOOD racket!

 

Yall are getting me fired up. I might just chop the tub up this weekend. That is if I can get the rear ends swapped out first. I'm so ready to be through with that. I always plan on doing it and walk in there and take a look and decide it's not a good day for it. My back still hurts from the front end.

 

Are the rear body mounts the same between your '74 and a '77? I thought they changed the frame starting model year '76. Just suggesting you check to make sure you'll be able to mount it all back on your frame when you're done.

 

1/8 " thick cut off wheels in a 4.5 " angle grinder works very well .