WARNING - These pictures can cause violence and vomiting!

[89Suburban]

Well, here goes. While I have been under the Burban the past few weeks tinkering I have been taking pics of some lovely rust repairs I need to start attacking soon. This is not my area of expertise. Any and all body repair tips will be greatly appreciated here. I live pay check to pay check, so I will be buying a replacement panel here and there and pick away at it. I used to weld, but sheet metal is very intimidating to me. Is there another option like brazing or something? If it's too involved I will just be relying on screws and pop rivets and doing a half assed job. I don't need it show room quality, just funtional and keep the inspection dude off my back. Help me please.

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[Old77]

One tip....rather than pop rivets and screws you'd be better off using panel adhesive which you can buy at any auto parts store and is very strong. MUCH better than rivets and screws

 

[RetroC10Sport]

Ouch, damn man. I don't miss that ****.

If it were me, I'd honestly see about getting a cheap rust free truck down here and putting all the goodies from yours on it.

 

[89Suburban]

One tip....rather than pop rivets and screws you'd be better off using panel adhesive which you can buy at any auto parts store and is very strong. MUCH better than rivets and screws

That bit of advice right there was well worth the razzing I am sure is coming to me for posting these pics, lol. Thank you my friend.

 

[89Suburban]

I ssen panels for most of these areas pictured. But I can't find anything for the body mount rail above the rear axle or an inner panel for inside the rocker at the back door ther at the wheel well. I gues that can be fabbed, it's mostly flat. Also, the to insiide of the rear wheel wells, what do I do there?

 

[Old77]

I've actually heard several welders and body men suggest the panel adhesive too because of it's strengh and sometimes where you weld can create a spot where rust will start in the future.

 

[89Suburban]

Ouch, damn man. I don't miss that ****.

If it were me, I'd honestly see about getting a cheap rust free truck down here and putting all the goodies from yours on it.

.......

 

[Irishman999]

For that I would suggest a Donor body to cut pieces off. Your tools of choice will be a small wire feed welder that runs off 110 volt and a small 4 inch angle grinder with cutoff wheels. Chop and replace, I seem to remember a thread on here where a guy with a suburban did the same thing your looking into doing.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

I give you props for attempting to fix it, but if you're not that attached to it...Getting one and having it shipped from here to there will probably be less than trying to fix that one between time and money involved.

 

[89Suburban]

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[Swims350]

sorry man but I highly doubt panel adhesive is tougher or stronger then rivets or screws, I've never seen it at any local parts store either. Only the body shop supply and requires a $500 gun to apply the crap. I tried some I found online and it was worthless, rivets held better then it did. It would not hold crap.

 

[Old77]

I've seen it sold a auto zone, o'reillys and advance auto parts. Not used it myself but have seen it work and hold up well.

Anywho, from the pics I'm seeing that the fender(s) will need completely replaced along with the rockers and barn doors. Out of that the only thing that will need welded is the rockers. If you cut the old rockers out you can get a mobile welder guy to weld in the new rockers for a couple hundred or less. At least you can around my area.

 

[Swims350]

hmmm I need to look at AA and AZ more, I've never seen it. Looking to go there sometime soon anyways. I got a welder now so no real need in worrying over panel adhesive. Mines just a cheap flux cored wire feed and works great. I did the cab corners on my 88 and the idiot hit it and dented the one in bad, never came loose or anything.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Have you seen that bondo with metal in it? That's some sneaky **** right there.

 

[Mr Clean]

I agree with Irishman, get a donor, and cut the pieces off you need plus a little more for fitting, and just get after it. Get your self a good welder, I had the one from Harborfrieght, and burned it out in about 2.5 spools, and plus it didn't make a good weld. I up graded to a Hobart, and have been very happy with it. Once you get you welder, practice with it! Practice makes perfect. I'm not a great welder, but I don't think I'm to bad.

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I skinned my tail gate, and than cut out the license plate box, and welded it all up. as far as fenders and replicable parts, just buy new and replace it.