My First Mopar - 1972 Duster
Sorry for the lack of updates guys, work is still going on my duster. I haven't forgot about this thread. So with that said lets get to it.
Last time I updated I was about ready to coat the frame rails with some weld-thru primer and internal frame coating. That's exactly what I did. First i just sprayed the flanges with a few coats of the weld-thru. After that because I am too much of a perfectionist I masked off the flanges and backs of the stamped holes so that i could get nice clean lines with the frame coating. That coating works great, really covers all the area and makes things sterile and clean. The included 360 degree hose worked really well to get inside the rails under the rear shock mount pan. and other enclosed areas. These pictures were taken right after I sprayed the coating so it looks very glossy. It drys to a matte finish after curing.
After I did that it was time to do another trial fit with most of the rear metal. I installed the pan, tail panel, extensions, and tail panel extensions. After much trial and error with fitment issues, I finally got it close enough to be able to massage any issues later on out. Sorry no pictures of the fitment process, I was so set on getting the pan on I forgot to snap any. But once it was clamped where I wanted I drilled some pilot holes for sheet metal screws to hold the pan in the exact spot later on. I scribed lines from underneath so I knew where the rails would be when removed. After that it was taken all back apart. I drilled the needed holes for the plug welds, grinded the areas clean and applied more weld-thru. I screwed the pan back on and began to start plug welding. The Weld-thru gave me a few problems trying to start the welds, so I took the die-grinder and cleaned some of the primer off inside of the holes. After that no problems starting the welds. Only problem is the only welding shields that were auto darkening were not functioning, so I had to struggle with the old school masks, most of which were broken and wouldn't stay on my head. So I apologize about some of the welds being messy. Its hard to make nice plug welds when your mask keeps falling off mid-weld. I redid whatever welds I deemed to need a touch up. The rear section was easy because I was able to use the pinch welder. I wish we had the right ends to it and I could have done the whole pan that way. Looking good so far I'd say!
Sorry for the lack of updates guys, work is still going on my duster. I haven't forgot about this thread. So with that said lets get to it.
Last time I updated I was about ready to coat the frame rails with some weld-thru primer and internal frame coating. That's exactly what I did. First i just sprayed the flanges with a few coats of the weld-thru. After that because I am too much of a perfectionist I masked off the flanges and backs of the stamped holes so that i could get nice clean lines with the frame coating. That coating works great, really covers all the area and makes things sterile and clean. The included 360 degree hose worked really well to get inside the rails under the rear shock mount pan. and other enclosed areas. These pictures were taken right after I sprayed the coating so it looks very glossy. It drys to a matte finish after curing.
After I did that it was time to do another trial fit with most of the rear metal. I installed the pan, tail panel, extensions, and tail panel extensions. After much trial and error with fitment issues, I finally got it close enough to be able to massage any issues later on out. Sorry no pictures of the fitment process, I was so set on getting the pan on I forgot to snap any. But once it was clamped where I wanted I drilled some pilot holes for sheet metal screws to hold the pan in the exact spot later on. I scribed lines from underneath so I knew where the rails would be when removed. After that it was taken all back apart. I drilled the needed holes for the plug welds, grinded the areas clean and applied more weld-thru. I screwed the pan back on and began to start plug welding. The Weld-thru gave me a few problems trying to start the welds, so I took the die-grinder and cleaned some of the primer off inside of the holes. After that no problems starting the welds. Only problem is the only welding shields that were auto darkening were not functioning, so I had to struggle with the old school masks, most of which were broken and wouldn't stay on my head. So I apologize about some of the welds being messy. Its hard to make nice plug welds when your mask keeps falling off mid-weld. I redid whatever welds I deemed to need a touch up. The rear section was easy because I was able to use the pinch welder. I wish we had the right ends to it and I could have done the whole pan that way. Looking good so far I'd say!