Jeep CJ7 Update 9 - Welding in New Floor Panels Part 2

Finishing up the welding in of some patch panels. Lots of work!!

[@garycompanion7484]

Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing. Hi from Toronto, Canada!

[@JDOffline]

Thank you Gary!! JD

[@notaness]

i am doing a similar project on a tj.. not quite as extensive , but i did have to put a small patch panel in the passenger side floorboard, as well as filling in some mounting holes in the back.. i will be installing new seats, as well as a bedtred interior..

[@JDOffline]

Good luck on your project! Thanks for the comment as well. I have videos of my bestop seat installation on my channel if you want to check it out.

[@masonrm]

Great Video, I have a 74 Toyota FJ40, which is dimensionaly similar to your CJ. Probably rusts in many of the same places.

[@JDOffline]

Awesome! Would love to see some videos of that. I love the old Toyota’s. Thanks for the comment.

[@michaelkramer5659]

Hey JD! I watched both of your videos on welding in the floor panels. My tub is definitely going to need the same areas, and most likely the rockers as well. I bought a welder for the job (Eastwood MIG 135). I've watched all of the videos with the different welds and whatnot. You mentioned that you also watched videos outside of your channel and that you practiced for a couple of weeks. I was wondering if you remember which channels/videos you found most helpful for the cutting/welding/finishing for the job, and what how you practiced before starting on the tub (where did you find scrap material, what welds did you practice, and how long it took you to 'get it' without burning through. Any feedback is helpful. We've done a 350 swap, put in the AX15, changed suspensions and new brakes,, and painless wiring, but for some reason this task is giving me anxiety! :-)

[@JDOffline]

Michael this brings back so many memories even though it wasn't that long ago. I will tell you I was so intimated by all this and I promise you I had the same anxiety that you did. I look back now and kinda laugh at myself for being so apprehensive because honestly this is one of the easier and more fun repairs you will make on your Jeep. Welding thin sheet metal "forces" you to make spot welds which are a great way to start and to learn. You cannot run a solid bead or you will burn through so spot welding is what you have to do and honestly it isn't that bad. If you've already done the 350 swap, ax15 and painless wiring I will assure you the wiring was much more challenging than the welding. I bought scrap from home depot before I discovered a local steel supply store and practiced quite a bit. I can't remember the specific videos but I assure you based on what you wrote in your comment you are ready my friend. Welding the repair panels is actually the easy part, cutting them and getting them to fit is the harder task, the welding is the icing on the cake. I promise this isn't that bad, I hope it all goes well for you and I think it will. Welding these floor pans opened up so many doors for me with welding and i have since built some really cool projects. Let me know how it goes!! Awesome that you are going to fix it yourself and like I said I promise it's not that bad, you will do fine. JD

[@michaelkramer5659]

@@JDOffline Thanks JD! I appreciate it. I think I'm going to cut off the bad metal. I saw a trick to use manilla folders with some auto body paint to make a template, then use some sheers to cut what you need. I'm going to pick up some 18 ga cold rolled at Home Depot tomorrow and get to practicing. I'll let you know how it goes!

[@JDOffline]

@@michaelkramer5659 Keep us posted. You got this!! JD

[@stevebuckey4640]

nice job

[@JDOffline]

Turned out ok for my first attempt. JD

[@barrycarr4209]

My 82 CJ7 has rusted in almost the same spots as yours. Great Information! Who did you order your sheet metal panels from?

[@JDOffline]

Morris 4x4. Watch the first part and I talk about that. Thanks Barry!