Pick up Restoration (Part 2)

[davidmiles]

Ah, that makes sense, the plier shaped one fits on over the edge of the floor and the wider side of it opens up against the rear tub sides making the seal.[frame][/frame]

[aupickup]

yes thats right, it is a devil of a job to do, needs a gap between floor and rear sides
some just use mastic to fill the gap
as the profile of the new rubbers are no where near correct, and originallly was mitred around the wheel arch area

[les]

Actually, I think you will find it's for the pick-up sides to cab, cut to the height of the sides.( 4th from left)

[aupickup]

you mean from top of pick up side down to the bottom of the b post then

yes could be , a long time since i had a pick up

[les]

a long time since i had a pick up

That's nothing to smile about!!

[davidmiles]

Like this Les? that will help dampen any sound and vibration quite a lot in this area.

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[davidmiles]

With two part Araldite glue,its just a case of clamping them in place till the glue sets and hardens like resin.

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[davidmiles]

I may use mastic on the part of the rubber seal that contacts the body sides, plenty of time to plan for that still. Where the seals buckle up slightly on the curve, it could trap moisture, so when its had time to harden off I'll modify it with a stanley blade and clamp it down some more[frame][/frame]

[les]

No,I don't think that's it, if I'm viewing the picture right! It's difficult to explain. I'll try to take a photo of mine and post it.

[les]

This is where the seal goes.

[davidmiles]

Thanks for that useful photo Les, that nice thumb sized outer curve means the rubber would be fitted in like this then,from the outside of the panel, when its fitted up and just before tightening the bolts to the cab. The seal will then cover the unsightly wood spacers from view and prevent water creeping between the cab and rear side ends, Brilliant.

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[davidmiles]

Fitting the sides is one hell of a fiddle, the rear corners still need to be squeezed more tightly together so they meet the outer valance top, at the moment Ive got a half and inch gap either side when I trial fit the tailgate. Fun and games.[frame][/frame]

[les]

I'm wondering if the floor sides might be spaced a little too far apart, perhaps ideally the wooden floor panels should have been offered up first. If you need a width measurement for the timber I will post it. It might give you an idea if that is a factor. On the other hand it might be rubbers either side holding sides apart.
ps: Your pic of the side to cab seal is now as mine shows

[davidmiles]

Ive welded the metal floor panels in like this, the corner piece that supports the wooden floor provides a positive position for the floor width at the rear, the upper panel behind the cab provides the positive position there. So the floors can't in all practical terms be too far apart. Does this photo look right to you Les?[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

I think I may have to trim the floor rubbers off the rear curve, they might be, as you say, forcing the sides too far apart.

[les]

I can't see my floor joints with the boards in, but looks like you can't really go wrong if you've butted up to the stops, so to speak.
I would think the rear crosspiece is cut correctly, but as a check the gap where the boards drop in is 32 1/4''

[davidmiles]

Ive just measured the gap Les and it comes out the same as yours, so thats eliminated that as the source of the problem.
Ive removed the ruber seal from the floor edge on the right side and that brings that side in closer, though I will have to squeeze the panel closer by about 5mm when I weld it in, and the top will have to be held at 90 degres so its parralel with the tailgate.

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[davidmiles]

The left side still has the rubbers seal in on the floor edge, so once that comes off I should be able to bring that side in aswell.
I may bolt up the tailgate and use it to get everything lined up.

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[davidmiles]

Blast it! Just as I was making some decent headway the lower of these two nuts failed. It has come adrift inside the piller and now just rotates. I'm not using the wrong size bolts, the one above it was the same and that went in ok. I wonder if I can drill a hole and weld it in from the outside.[frame][/frame]

[aupickup]

the captive nut has come adrift from the cage