B pillar support replacement

[BlueGhost93]

Hi all. Today I was evaluating rust on my 68 and upon looking in my fender wheel, it looks as though part of the B pillar support has rusted away but the B pillar itself is solid. What’s the best way to go about this? I really don’t want to cut the rear quarters out.

 

[jeffncs]

Post some pics. I’ve had luck drilling spot welds and grafting the lower sections of both A and B pillars.

Taking this approach, the body remained largely / structurally intact but replaced the lower 1/3 with clean steel.

Side benefit, I was able to access, clean and coat the upper posts sections with primer and paint.

 

[jeffncs]

I did my repair (as described above) very seamlessly after measuring 100x, avoided overheating the welds to avoid warping metal and some grinding.

 

[BlueGhost93]

The passenger side looks crusty because we laser removed the surface rust.

I’m not sure the best way to approach this. I would really like to leave the fender hanging and somehow cut it out from the B pillar itself which is intact.

https://flic.kr/p/2qTVEt4 https://flic.kr/p/2qTWDCk https://flic.kr/p/2qTVEsY

 

[Madgyver]

lots of filler on the exterior of that post

 

[BlueGhost93]

lots of filler on the exterior of that post

I’m pretty sure the previous owner had this thing painted at Earl Schibe or maaco because the entire truck has some sort of spray on filler coat.

 

[jeffncs]

Many shops will use “Slick Sand”. It’s a high build, sprayable filler. It’s applies very consistently, covers sins and is easily sandavle to creat a super smooth surface.

Less high tech shops will just skim coat and sand getting to the same end point.

if there’s more than a skim coat, cut it out, clean the mounting surfaces and weld a complete new post in there. If it’s mostly metal, you have the option of total replacement or sectioning it in.

 

[BlueGhost93]

Many shops will use “Slick Sand”. It’s a high build, sprayable filler. It’s applies very consistently, covers sins and is easily sandavle to creat a super smooth surface.

Less high tech shops will just skim coat and sand getting to the same end point.

if there’s more than a skim coat, cut it out, clean the mounting surfaces and weld a complete new post in there. If it’s mostly metal, you have the option of total replacement or sectioning it in.

Is there not a backing plate? What is this link for below. Maybe I’m just confused
https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/early...qM6RSKaFAWfV9I_tzT0jtCSmk82Erf80aAqTPEALw_wcB

 

[jeffncs]

Is there not a backing plate? What is this link for below. Maybe I’m just confused
https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/early...qM6RSKaFAWfV9I_tzT0jtCSmk82Erf80aAqTPEALw_wcB

That piece in inside the cab. Connects the B to the flor and upper quarter as I recall.

 

[BlueGhost93]

That piece in inside the cab. Connects the B to the flor and upper quarter as I recall.

I’ll need to find a good sheet metal diagram or after media blast it will make more sense