body and interior A-Post Bodywork Question....

[pilotnbr1]

I am finally about to start the body work on my car. I am putting together a large order from Walloth and Nesch and would like to get everything in one shot.

 

Without having the fender off the car I am debating on whether to order just their A-post repair panel vs just getting the entire A-post with the hinges. From my preliminary inspection I think I can get away with just the repair panels but is it significantly more work just to swap in an entirely fresh A post? 

[osbourne]

Can't answer your question, specifically.  However, from decades of experience with replacing rusted/crunched autobody panels, it's better to first do the disassembly and strip-down before ordering any panels.  Also, before you do any cutting, make absolutely certain you have good access for welding, at the points you plan to cut out.  This means putting your welding hood (it's not a helmet, for cryin' out loud) on, grabbing your MIG "gun" (it's not..........ahhh, you already knew that) and seeing if you will actually be able to fit your head in there and get the proper electrode angle for a good weld.  A good repair takes a lot of planning ahead, plus very careful fitting before the welding begins.

 

Also, in general, after-market body panels SUCK!  It seems like none of them ever fit very well, "out of the box" and they often take a lot of work to get them to fit decently.  I find it's virtually always better to buy the OE/factory panel (or a cut-out from a solid, donor car) and use it, even if you end up just cutting a part of it out to actually use on the car.

[Tommy]

I agree with everything osbourne says. It's hard to guess but most often you get away with the a-post repair panel. I would avoid refitting the door hinges with any cost. There's plenty of work fitting the doors even without that!

 

  Tommy

[Mike Self]

FYI, if your car is so badly rusted that the A pillar needs replacing as high up as even the lower hinge, then it's pretty far gone.  Those A pillars are pretty sturdy--thick metal and welded up--as they have to support the roof in a rollover so at least in my experience I've not seen one so bady rusted that it has to be replaced in its entirety. 

 

What does rust away, though is the flange that the front fender's trailing edge bolts to.  Bet you'll need that on both sides if you're finding rust up in and behind the fenders.

 

cheers, and happy welding

 

mike

[pilotnbr1]

Thanks for all the input and great advice! This job is already going to be a challenge I don't need to further complicate it with an entire A-post swap out if I don't need to.. So I just ordered the patch panel as the rust is very limited. Thanks again!