A little advice please? About radiator support...

[bilzy7]

My radiator support is rusted to crap and broke off of body mounts both sides.
Does anyone know if I go to a JY and take apart side fender support and radiator support keeping the 3 pieces attached together, would avoid welding in general? OR are the fender supports[in case im saying it wrong(What the fenders attach to)] welded to cab by doors?
I am just trying to figure out if it would be wiser to just go buy a mig welder which ive found by Eastwood for $339.00, and buy protective equipment, instead of having a shop give me a $1,500.00 bill to put in a new radiator support?
I have read up on what involved in the replacement process, there was a good write up, or should i say thread on it. Im just hoping someone will chime in and say the fenders are bolted and not welded so i can grab all 3 pieces and keep them together and attach them to my truck as is...
Thank you in advance for any advice. Im thick skinned if any dont know that so no hurting my feelings... just my pocket... lol.

 

[Psychopete]

you could use nuts and bolts where you drilled out the spot welds

 

[Dweano]

I am doing a front end swap so I am dealing with all this stuff. Everything is welded. Inner fenders (I believe they are called) are welded by the doors and also welded to the core support. Mine is rusty as well and where it connects to the body mounts is prett shady, but I don't worry about it haha

 

[bilzy7]

ya i mean it isnt going to break off anytime soon but, i know in ma they check for rust spots to reject you. so id like to take care of it and its annoying. my radiator bounces independantly from the rest of my truck... and the metal ticking noise when i hit bumps is annoying..

i guess i could drill holes and do nuts and bolts but... idk, i guess thatd work. i just align it right, vice grip it down and drill through both sides at once and put a nut n bolt in, or two.
Its just causing my drivers side fender to not align with headlight support infront of it. i think it was rusted and when i hit lady at 5 mph that was all it took to break it loose from rust. my bumper isnt a fan of it either...
ugh neighbors are home. they keep their 2 and 3 yr old up till midnight daily stomping on our ceiling. i feel like taking my bumper off with my impact wrench at 11 just to keep them up... dirty sob's.

 

[zukirider21]

My radiator support is rusted to crap and broke off of body mounts both sides.
Does anyone know if I go to a JY and take apart side fender support and radiator support keeping the 3 pieces attached together, would avoid welding in general? OR are the fender supports[in case im saying it wrong(What the fenders attach to)] welded to cab by doors?
I am just trying to figure out if it would be wiser to just go buy a mig welder which ive found by Eastwood for $339.00, and buy protective equipment, instead of having a shop give me a $1,500.00 bill to put in a new radiator support?
I have read up on what involved in the replacement process, there was a good write up, or should i say thread on it. Im just hoping someone will chime in and say the fenders are bolted and not welded so i can grab all 3 pieces and keep them together and attach them to my truck as is...
Thank you in advance for any advice. Im thick skinned if any dont know that so no hurting my feelings... just my pocket... lol.

yeah the side supports are welded to the body... i wouldnt mess with them. plus, it would be a HUGE job stripping all of the crap off or at least getting it out of your way to get the pieces you need off... you would never wanna spend that kinda time at a junkyard haha.

just drill out the spotwelds on the core support itself. then weld or bolt it together. i found that you cant really drill them too well, there's alot of mutilation involved. i would suggest welding. grab a flux core lincoln electric weldpak hd job at home cheapo for like 250 bills and you'll be good to go

 

[bilzy7]

Ya I hear alot of good things everywhere I search about Lincoln welders. I'll have to checkout models. I'd prefer wire feed, then me put down the wire to melt it.

 

[bilzy7]

Well I just check out the new home depot app. Found that exact welder for 269.99. The Lincoln HD Weldpak. 120.00 for a new radiator core support so... About 400 total to do it myself. Better then the $1,000.00-1,500.00 I read it has cost people at a shop.

 

[v-8power]

Do you have a tool rental place around you? You might be able
to rent a welder pretty cheap. Just a suggestion to maybe save some
cash.