ford e 350 van- left side panel replacement
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hey every one. yeah so i have this big ass van, handi cap , like a hundred a day rental on the thing… so I started drillin the welds friday after noon. I have never done a panel replacement on a van before. It is HUGE!! the repalcment panel is about $2000 i am questionin where too section it in. If any one has gone thru this i would appreciate your thoughts.
I was thinkin of section it in aloong the rear pillar and across the two windows.(like a qrtr panel job) IT is so large it is already goin to be difficult too work with. so I am worried of the instability that will be created by cuttting it there. _ Half way up the windows-
I was also considering slicing it right under the roof, the drip edge there, and just laying a long ass weld the length of the panel and then just seam sealing it which would keep the strength and for go any glass and plastic work. But htat is alot of welding when there is already alot.
also i have never peeled one of these vans apart before so i dont know what has to be done to tie it it up at the roof and keeping the factory welds.
so share your thoughtrs cuz monday mornin is comin soonI’ve sectioned the lower portion on one of this. Sectioned it along the lower body line with a used piece. It was a long ass weld but really didn’t take too long and came out nice.
How many windows are in the side? Factory windows?
I have too replace the whole thing.. It has two windows. I removed them last friday.
If the damage is that high, you could do the whole side.
At the top seam (along the roof) you could leave about1/2″ of the old panel all the way. Then trim the new one to lap over it. It is non structural, so it could be glued or welded the whole way, then seam seal it. If done carefully it would look like factory when complete and be just as strong, and save the hassle if the roof.
Can you post a pic of the damaged side?
that is what i was thinking basically. thought of laying the bead right under the lip from the roof. actually almost layin the weld upside down. the damage doesnt go that high though( there is a slight bucle but not enough too warrant havinin too cut that high. i can cut through the windows snd the c pillar. guess that is my question what do feel is the better option. i didnt take any pics. i will tomorrow
yeah i just i just somhow destoyed my phones m,emory updating it online…. um no pics right now….im curious of what body lline u used though . can you send me a pic
larkin401@yahoo.comI don’t know if I have any pics… That was probably 4 years ago…
I sectioned about 10″ or so up from the bottom where there is the only body line through the panel in that area.
You could do as mentions earlier (along the roof) or else splice through the window area. I would think splicing through the window area may be more work by the time you fit it, weld it, the fill and block the multiple splices…
Usually on those vans we just repair them, even if the damage is pretty nasty…
yeah well i think i am pass the point of repairing the old one! just wiped my phones memory and somehow and installed a new OS so here is a pic of what i am lookin at. I am still waitin for the new panel so i just ruff cut and cleaned it up and straightened the inner structure and floor in the back
Section it through the windows. 3 easy splices and you are done. it would be a waste of time to try and seam it above the glass.
You dont happen to work at a shop in Worcester, do you?
i did an exact job 3 months ago but the van was a high top. i did it like ding suggested and sectioned halfway at the windows. panel bonded most and welded the ends, sections, and pinchweld on the bottom. did it in a day and was really easy. hardest part is cutting the cardboard box up that it comes in :wak
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