body panel removal

[freshtiva]

Any one ever try to remove body panel like the ones below. I'm thinking they would be useful in case of a wreck.( good luck at your ford dealer) Looks like they are all spot welded. Ive got a big compressor and an air chisel with attachments. Just wonder if any one else has tried it, and if it can be done with out it being a hack job. Thanks !



Ive got a super saws all also with metal cutting blades. Do they come apart?

[Kraig]

I've had good luck using a split tip 132 degree 3/8" drill bit to drill through the upper layer of metal and then using a thin chisel to get what remains of the spotweld apart.

[Safety Guy]

Talk about MAJOR SURGERY!

Sorry I can't help you, other than specializing in Festiva gynecology, obstetrics, cardio and some neurology, I can't do major surgery.

Karl

[htchbck]

^^^ wait, gynecology? on a festiva :!: don't you have to have some kind of a special license for that? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[freshtiva]

I popped a few small pieces off with the air chisel. Had to be careful or it would start cutting instead of separating. I think Kraig is right you need to drill out the spot welds. There are a lot of them and some would be difficult at best to get a bit on . I was making a little progress on the front clip but I think I need a different chisel . It was kinda fun. If nothing else I think I could get it into small enough pieces to take it to the scrapper in a pick up.

[monkeyracing]

You can buy a drill bit that's specifically designed for spot welds...that'd work too.

[mattswabb]

drilling out the spotwelds is th best way to remove panels. Buy a center drill. They don't walk like a larger drill when starting and still have a large enough cut to drill out the weld.

[PaulLehr]

Hmmm thats got me thinking about rebuiling the front drivers corner on my 90L I got cut off in the snow last year and it took a hit hard enough to smash the headlight and it crunched a little bit of the metal behind it. Its all put back together now with junkyard parts but its mostly for looks since its still crunched behind the driver side lights and fender I put on it

[freshtiva]

drilling out the spotwelds is th best way to remove panels. Buy a center drill. They don't walk like a larger drill when starting and still have a large enough cut to drill out the weld.

What is the " A " size ?

[mattswabb]

They come in many sizes. From 1/8" and up. I'd use a 3/8" or 1/2"/

[Kraig]

A center drill will drill a hole in both layers of metal. A carefully used split tip will drill only through the top layer. I bought a spotweld drilling tool from Eastwood and it sucked!! The 132 degree split tip drill bit works better.