Cut and fold.....without the fold?

[Dredwolf]

So I started installing some of the goodies that are starting to arrive on the XJ tonight, and though I would start bolting some of it on. I also decided to pull loose the edge trim installed on the trimmed rear fenders, and see what I had to work with......:confused:

http://www.xjtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=429&pictureid=3284

http://www.xjtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=429&pictureid=3282

:confused: There's no fold...just a cut. I have read how that you have to retain the spot welds to keep the body together. I have plans to install flares to contain the terra firma tossed by the tires, should I be worried?

Do I need to TIG in some reinforcement?

[cantab27]

looks ok ...doesn't seemed to be trimmed that much..pic of mine..


http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr52/cantab27/Image0089.jpg

[cantab27]

yours has just been trimmed a little.......just hasn't done the cut and fold..be sweet as me thinks

[bigjim350]

Your fine. mine is trimmed the same way. That is trimmed below the spot welds

[Dredwolf]

Thanks for the assurances, so I am good to install flares. Guessing that if I wash the wheelwells, I can see the spot welds for reference?

[LizardRunner]

Yeppers or you can use your fingers to feel them. If you wanted to do the cut and fold you would just need to mark them and connect the dots to know how far you could cut with out any problems.

[Dredwolf]

Yeppers or you can use your fingers to feel them. If you wanted to do the cut and fold you would just need to mark them and connect the dots to know how far you could cut with out any problems.

I have got some flares on the way to help the fitment, and the recent wheeling trip helped me see where the issues are at full compression and full lock. Expect to trim a little more.

[Dredwolf]

okay, pulled the edge trim and washed, found some decent pics of the spot welds online.....and failed to find ANY on mine. I'll post pics once the battery on the camera charges, but it looks like previous owner just trimmed and stopped when any of the sheet metal started separating.:bang:

I am going to run to the parts store for some seam sealer to have on hand before I dig in any further, and make sure I still have a roll of solid MIG wire handy.

[Dredwolf]

Managed to snap some edge detail pics tonight. Obviously I don't want to start installing the flares if I need to weld the outer body panel and inner fender well together to restore the structural integrity.:smiley-scared002:

The separation seen in this image, should I be concerned?:pray:
http://i.minus.com/ipH2uRulmNSnH.JPG


http://i.minus.com/i31CFWKmSdEMa.JPG

Believe it or not, I could not see that hint of a spot weld (below) in the daylight.
http://i.minus.com/ibnMwY72WoOqNi.JPG

:rolleyes: This is a risk you take when you purchase a modified XJ, that the previous owner might have made mistakes.

Those of you who have trimmed many XJ fenders, whats the consensus?

[cantab27]

still dont think there is a problem there mate..well i cant see in pics

[4.3LXJ]

I don't see one in those pics either

[Dredwolf]

Thanks.....I will admit I get a little OCD about details :rolleyes:, but I like to do things right the first time.

Alright, on with the flares!

[4.3LXJ]

If you are worried about a little moisture creeping up there, you can seal it up with some butyl caulk or similar stuff for bath tubs.

[Dredwolf]

So how critical is it that the rear outer body panel and inner fender are welded together? Was prepping for a flare install and pulled the edge trim to see the trimming done by the previous owner.

Passenger side was not bad, driver side looked like somebody tried to trim the fender with a dull jigsaw while drunk during an earthquake.:mad:

I had no choice but to get out a flap wheel and slowly dress that edge to some version of a curve that did not look like the blade of a limbing saw.

But the inner fender liner is not tacked to the outer fender skin in a couple of spots.
http://i.minus.com/ibbzL2H3HVBxxh.jpg

How critical?:confused:

[cantab27]

still hard to see..is that hole there for factory flare....if so bugger all has been trimmed

[Dredwolf]

No, that hole is for some aftermarket flares I am working on installing, after getting the trimming done by the PO smoothed out enough to even try and mount the flare.

I can get closer shots, but I was trying to point out that I can easily get a flat-blade screwdriver between the sheet metal at those points with the arrows.

[Dredwolf]

Tried to zoom in on this one, you can really see the separation at the top.

I think there is enough metal to tack back together, but all I have is flux core right now.:o

http://i.minus.com/iblcyIcWBt6wXm.jpg

[Dredwolf]

Got up this AM after the time change, a man on a mission. Took off the plastic sides in the cargo area, and could see daylight from the fender seams :bang:.

Got a friend to help TIG and MIG the seams back solid, and TIG'ed the holes in the rear lower fenders from the body molding (burned a few specks in the carpet), all is well once more. :D