Replacing sills / transoms. Difficult?
My name is Doc; I'm a Geländeholic...
Morning. I'm a little new here. Very seriously considering buying a 1986 280GE.
They say the transom or sills (I don't know the proper English term, I'm afraid... the formed sheetmetal parts amidships that you step over upon getting into the car) on this 280 GE need replacing.
Okay... Is that a big / difficult job?
Bear in mind then, that I have essentially all possible tools & resources at my disposal. Bear also in mind that I have many years of professional experience in metalworking, but never on cars.
Cut out, affix new pcs, tack weld, putty, sand, prime, paint. Is that it?
Are these structurally load-bearing parts on a G? My understanding is, No.
Apologize for perhaps somewhat dopey question, but what-- we all gotta start somewhere.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Doc.
So, I gather in the meantime that this needn't be so difficult. Is there any tricky stuff involved? Any brake lines, fuel lines, anything inside there that demands special attention?
Hi Doc.
If you are referring to the area marked in the picture attached, there are no brake lines, fuel lines or any structural load-bearing parts. It is as easy (for somebody as experienced as you are) as it seems.
Good luck with the job then
Indeed, as Mortinson has said, it sounds as if you have all the required skills and they are definately not load-bearing, apart of being part of the main body structure. Two hints while you are going to be at it though:
1) Consider strengthening the sills if you are going to use the G off road
2) Whilst open, inject as much as possible rust preventative/waxoyl into all the sections you can get to before closing up again.
Good Luck - should be easy for someone with your skills.
How about taking some pictures as you progress - sure many of us here will find them very interesting.
Yes man, thanks.
So, I bought the car. Got it for a very nice price.
And indeed, now that I have it in front of me I can say that yes, this shouldn't be too hard. Lot of work, but fathomable. I can also happily say that I'm not scared to get into it... Turns out that there is plenty of rust on the body, so diggin' into it with the angle grinder doesn't phaze me at all. I will learn by doing. It can only get better.
The rest of it (motor, transmission) seems mechanically sound.
Got a question though (I should add that there aren't many G's around. The only one I've seen close up is mine)
Those round tubes sticking crosswise out of the frame... Is there a point to those, or is it just something that got there in the designing of this vehicle's frame?
If I decide to make running boards, what do they usually attach to?
Doc.
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Ah... Forgot to add, that I haven't yet been to inspect the car on site. It's quite far away, so I'm doing my homework.
New sheetmetal sills are supplied with the car.
Just wondering if I'm in over my head.
Another addendum: The car is somewhat unusually painted in two tones... White above (bleah) but dark gray up to knee-high.
So any bodywork below that, need only be repainted up to that area.
.