Welding PCK

[phatcheeks]

Hi. I'm looking to buy the eimkeith PCK. I'm a novice welder. How dangerous would it be if my booger harbor freight welds broke and my panhard bar became unattached? It seems like some straight forward welds. Nothing crazy.
I'll definitely do some practice welds welds before hand. (I haven't welded in over 4 years)

If this goes well maybe I can buy some weld on sliders

Thanks.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I would practice some butt welds in a similar position as it is on the truck (vertical). If you want to go a step further set up the practice so you are laying down on your back welding like you will be on the truck.

One of the hardest parts is seeing where you are going as you will be cramped under the truck, and the welds aren't a straight line.

 

[phatcheeks]

I would practice some butt welds in a similar position as it is on the truck (vertical). If you want to go a step further set up the practice so you are laying down on your back welding like you will be on the truck.

One of the hardest parts is seeing where you are going as you will be cramped under the truck, and the welds aren't a straight line.

Thanks. Once I tack it in, should I bolt the panhard in so it doesnt warp or you think it will be fine?

 

[randy88fj62]

Imagine driving 65 mph on the freeway and your pan hard gives up on you....

Take it off and have a shop do it for you. Save the cheap welder for non life critical welds like sliders and bumpers.

Now if you already have a badlands winch on your truck then you've already made your life choices.

 

[JuniorPigeon]

Thanks. Once I tack it in, should I bolt the panhard in so it doesnt warp or you think it will be fine?

I actually bolted it in to tack the bracket, so you know it will be in the correct spot. The remove the bar for full weld.

Pay attention to your heat and puddle and you should be good. Clean and chamfer everything up well. It's not a hard thing to weld but practice a little first and if you don't feel comfortable a shop can knock it out easy.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Thanks. Once I tack it in, should I bolt the panhard in so it doesnt warp or you think it will be fine?

The panhard bar won't really keep it from warping. Just be sure to tack it in multiple spots, and jump around a little when welding it.

If you have a weld shop nearby you might get a quote from them, like mentioned above the panhard serves a pretty critical roll in keeping the rear axle centered. The PCK has plenty of weld area though, as long as you've practiced and like what you see it shouldn't be too hard to make it strong enough.

 

[alia176]

I'd NOT learn to weld on a project like this. Have a local buddy help you or pay to have this done. See if there's a local 4x4 4runner or landcruiser club member who can help you. Go to the clubhouse portion of IH8MUD.com and introduce yourself to the local folks. My local landcruiser club is a great resource for doing fab jobs like these. We have tubing bender owners, MIG & TIG welders and such who help out folks as needed.

 

[phatcheeks]

Thanks all. I'll look around for quotes or someone who can help me. Being in the bay area im sure shops will charge a lot of this.
I will save the practicing for some sliders or something

 

[Toyrundrive]

I may be crazy but I consider sliders life saving devices...

Being in the bay you might be boned, take a trip south. I know shops in LA will have reasonable rates, I don't believe anything is reasonably priced within 50 miles of any bay area city.

Head to Oregon and find a fab shop in the country on your way and make an appointment a few days in advance. It's literally a 1 hour job in a driveway, likely quicker in an actual shop. You can handle a 4 inch lift without the correction for a very long time so don't worry too much about doing it immediately.