The preservation of "Hoover" - my '51 CJ3A

[JeepFever]

Hoover is in the garage, and I have been spending a couple hours a day on cutting, grinding, and welding . . . today,  for a little change of pace,  I decided to try to pull out the driver-side quarter panel. . .  it has been bugging me to look at it.

First and second photo show how "concave" the panel was.  (some of the "demolition-derby" damage caused by PO)

Third photo shows my method for pulling it out . . . a couple 2x4's to spread load,   angle iron to bridge the damage,  and some C-clamps to pull the panel out past where it should be.

It worked fairly well  . .  my plan is to dolly and "shrink" it back to flat. . .  stay tuned,  hopefully the plan works.   

[JeepFever]

Some of this past weekend's progress,  mainly the passenger side quarter.     I was a little concerened about getting this on straight,  but it worked out ok.

photo1 - started by clamping the joint on inside,  also visible in this photo is the sparetire brace from Classic Enterprises,  I figured there was no way I was going to be able to fabricate anything even close to original,  so "splurged" and bought this piece ,  the same time I got rear floor.  It is very nice,  and really helped to make sure the panel went where it was supposed to.

Photo2 - tack welded the joint,  I will eventually grind those out once the "spot welds" are done inside the fender.

not shown in photos:  the inner brace was primed and painted, then attached with screws to the wheel well

phot03 - attached quarter panel to inner brace with screws,  working from back to front,  pulling tight to radius,   not shown in photos - >  but next was to cut thru both the new panel and tub,  along the red line.

photo4 - finished matching panel to tub,  and tacked it up

photo5 - "spot welded" thru the screw holes to the inner brace,  and to top of wheel housing
I am very happy with how it turned out.  The metal seemed thicker that original,  but that means it should be very sturdy for spare tire.

[athawk11]

That turned out really nice. 

[JeepFever]

Moving up the side to toe gusset area.

1) cut out the rust
2) & 3) made a template using aluminum flashing
4) flattened out the shape
5) traced the pattern on 16 ga
6) cut out
7) bent to shape
    (I saw a tip on TV to use body spoon to eliminate hammer marks,  worked pretty good, not that it matter on this piece  )

[garage gnome]

I like the aluminum flashing idea. I usually use cardboard, which never seems to come out quite right.

[JeepFever]

I like the aluminum flashing idea. I usually use cardboard, which never seems to come out quite right.

I have always used cardboard also,� but could not find any thin stuff, . . .� �then got the idea of using flashing.�

it will be my future choice,� if "folding" is necessary.

[JeepFever]

Toe gusset piece . .� ready to weld in

Those tabs did not end up exactly oem,  but only the experts will notice difference. :-)

[JeepFever]

We can not have too many clamps when doing tub repair. :-)

A couple long-reach Vise-grips,� pulling the newly welded toe gusset,� to be flush with side panel . .  prior to attaching to the floor.

[JeepFever]

Toe gusset patch weld in . .  inside view.

[JeepFever]

Anybody know where I could find photo showing what oem tub looks like (from bottom) in these 2 areas?

This build is FAR from a "restoration",� but I would like to keep as close to looking original as possible.


I did some searching,  but could not find any "close up" photos

[JeepFever]

I did some more searching at lunchtime.   I found several photos of tubs from bottom,  but nothing that was "close-up" enough to see detail.   (zoomed-in was blurry)

[JeepFever]

My wife is out of town,  so I could spend the whole afternoon/evening after work,   tinkering with the Jeep. 

Most progress was on floor.   Other than a few touch-ups, it is almost welded up.   (just noticed the argon tank on welder is almost empty) . .   some of that was used on a Bantam trailer project,   but most of it was used on Hoover. . .    lots of welding for sure.

[JeepFever]

The new sheetmetal is getting a little rusty.   Results of setting all winter under a slightly leaky tarp.   . .  hopefully though,  this natural "etching" will give the paint something to hang on to. 

[garage gnome]

I can take some close ups. Everything else looks great!

[JeepFever]

Thanks Nate!

No progress this weekend, other priorities.�

I fooled around a little with toolbox though.� � Mine is rusted badly around the lid area.� � I have been wondering easiest way to repair that.

An idea came today to use 3/4" square tubing,� (the measurement seems right)�. .   plan is to cut out one of the 4 sides.� � I think that might work.� � Below is photo of a section temporarily welded in.� (not a great photo,� but hopefully shows how the concept.