2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Welding on truck

[StevenJ]

Are there any precautions necessary for welding on the truck? I have an aftermarket bumper on the truck and want to make some modifications to it. I would be using a standard arc or mig welder.

 

[NHouse]

I would make sure you won't ignite any fuel or oil, and make sure you protect plastic and painted surfaces from splatter and sparks. It should be no problem.



Nick

 

[manygears]

I would make sure you won't ignite any fuel or oil, and make sure you protect plastic and painted surfaces from splatter and sparks. It should be no problem.



Nick

If you dion't have a leather drop cloth, thats what I call it, use some old towel or wool blankets. Make sure you soak them in water to help prevent a fire :--) . Also I would disconnect your trucks batteries.

 

[ronco]

One more idea, use your ground clamp and close and possible to your weld site!

 

[robertyoke]

take the extra minute to remove the ground cables from your batteries, I heard of guys letting the "magic smoke" out of their ecu and other computers.

-robert

 

[DTangstrom]

Never weld to a truck without disconneting the batteries. I have seen fuse blocks melt and an ECU for an Allison go bad.

 

[scotmartin]

The service manual says that you should unplug the ECM.

 

[Black-Smoker]

Just disconect the battery that is what I was always told and have done. I have welded on my truck many times and never had a problem.

 

[RWhites]

put the welding clamp (ground) on the bumper (or part which you intend to weld on) and vise grip a short jumper of wire to the part you intend to attach. Where guys go wrong is when the arc gets directed from the grounded part with the nice weld puddle to the adjecent part to get it also melted. The current from the welder finds a path the long way around (read the grounding system, Remember all those little braided Straps?) voltages is dropped all along the way. And the computer is bonded in lots of places so current flows thru the computer's ground bus and poof! #@$%! , Same thing can happen to any device bonded in more than one place. TIG machines generally use radio frequency to strike the arc and pose different problems which can really screw things up. MIG and stick are not to bad. Gas is always ok, presents thermal problems.....

Rich

 

[ALehman]

Definitly disconnect the batteries, i have heard of explosions