Well, no turning back now.

[michibronc]

This past week I started fixing what I thought was minor rust in the wheelwell and quarter panel areas. Now naive I was.

Two conclusions about Ford engineering in the rear wheelwell area:

1. The splash guards were only put there to keep you from getting a stream of water at the built up dirt.

and

2. Whoever designed the inner wheelwell housing on the rear of the FSB fully planned on getting you to buy another Bronco in 5 years. How could you design it better to trap dirt and rust than what they did?

Anyhow, here's the pics. I don't know how to label them individually, so they'll just show up on the bottom all together.

I started repairing the drivers side wheelwell in back. Went to JBG (which is close by) and bought a quarter panel patch. I clamped it to the wheelwell, decided I wanted to make the patch smaller, cut the patch down, re clamped, traced around the patch and started to cut out the cancer.

I ran out of cutting wheels, so I'll have to work more tomorrow. I'll post as I go. If you have any hints, please let me know.

The wheel housing is in pretty good shape right out to where it attaches to the quarter panel. I'm going to make it so that it can drain and I don't think I'm putting the splash guards back on after I'm done.

Has anyone got any feelings on that issue?

PS: I'm going on a huge wheeling trip in 2 weeks to the UP of Michigan. Should be cool and hope I'm primered up by then.

 

[JLasvegas]

makes me happy mine is an Arizona truck, all we have to worry about is paint fade

that looks like alot of work , but well worth it in the long run

 

[muddridder]

Good luck.....it will look great when you are done!!!!

 

[miesk5]

yo M,

Will you use auto body panel adhesive to attach the patches?

such as my pal;

Replacement w/adhesive in an 86 Source: by Sixlitre

he used it to replace entire 1/4

Repair Procedures using Fusor Metal Adhesive Source: by lord.com

and Matt J did quite a mold fab as well

http://web.archive.org/web/20051028150320/...cts/pr0201.html

 

[michibronc]

Well, I had my welder friend over today and he welded my quarter panel patch as well as the two wheel well patches in place. I got a little warping at the top of the patch, but I think I can make the bondo hide it pretty well. It's all getting covered with Grizzly Grip bedliner compound anyways when I'm done with the body work this summer.

Here's some pics of the progress since my last post.

Tomorrow I try to grind down the welds and apply some body filler. Hopefully can get some primer on the bondo before my wheeling trip next weekend, but it's good enough to go play right now if the need be.

I didn't reattach the wheel housing to the back of the 1/4 panel. I think it won't trap so much junk up there if I don't reattach it.

Meisk5, I wish I could have used adhesive - could have cut down on the warping from all the welding. I'm not sure how you'd use the adhesive to do a panel patch. I imagine there is a way, but I'm a noob to this whole body work thing. My goal is to get rid of the rust and try not to have it look too sh!tty!

 

[miesk5]

ok, I guess I shoulda highlighted the section in Lord's procedure instructions on patch panels

Also, you can rent/borrow a "Flanging Plier" or Eastwood Flanger Tool or = and press a small ****** along the edge(s) of da edges of patch panel and cut-out section...

Sometimes, to use force on panels to keep em in contact w/body w/out clamps I use section of all thread and connectors, along w/scraps of wood, etc and use the side of the garage (tree, etc.) to wedge the all thread against the panel

see this thread [/url

 

 

 

keep at it... can only get better w/out the rust spreading now.

 

 

 

We keep at it on the 96, so far only around wheel well lips and tg's welded seam @ inner bottom; thanks to a batty operated Dremel!

 

[walnuts75]

Well, I had my welder friend over today and he welded my quarter panel patch as well as the two wheel well patches in place. I got a little warping at the top of the patch, but I think I can make the bondo hide it pretty well. It's all getting covered with Grizzly Grip bedliner compound anyways when I'm done with the body work this summer.
Here's some pics of the progress since my last post.

Tomorrow I try to grind down the welds and apply some body filler. Hopefully can get some primer on the bondo before my wheeling trip next weekend, but it's good enough to go play right now if the need be.

I didn't reattach the wheel housing to the back of the 1/4 panel. I think it won't trap so much junk up there if I don't reattach it.

Meisk5, I wish I could have used adhesive - could have cut down on the warping from all the welding. I'm not sure how you'd use the adhesive to do a panel patch. I imagine there is a way, but I'm a noob to this whole body work thing. My goal is to get rid of the rust and try not to have it look too sh!tty!

That is awesome! I did the exact same thing with my bronco except I used pop rivets instead of welding. If you want to see pictures of what the finished product looks like just take a look at my bronco pics. It's actually pretty hard to notice the bodywork unless you look really hard. Good luck!

 

[michibronc]

Well, I got it filled and primed today. Looks pretty good! It'll take a pretty keen eye to tell that it was replaced once it has been topcoated.

I've still got to spray bedliner compound on the wheel housing and I've got to coat the back of the 1/4 panel with undercoating to protect the back of the welds, but that's pretty much it.

It's been a hot last few days standing in the driveway - 95 degrees and near 100% humidity. If I weren't a redneck already, I am now. That's why God made cold beer.