Andrew's EK ute- V6, chassis kit etc- Canberra

[Andrew R]

Okay, so I finally got her home and cleaned out, her time in ‘open air storage’ hasn’t really done much to her, although I'm finding that some of the repairs done prior to her 'temporary' blue paintjob were quick and bodge- majority by the previous owner... At one point in time the top lip of the right side tray has had something quite heavy fall on it, putting a severe dent in it about 3/4 of an inch deep, this was bogged up (huge amounts used- about as wide as my palm), this had cracked and lifted, and was leaking rusty water out a bit- prised it off and said some choice words.. I’m thinking about how best to tackle it- might have to become mates with a panel beater… it’s a fairly nasty divot, with some of the metal having creased/folded a bit. Im thinking it would need some heating and pulling for starters.

Also found bubbling along the rear topmost edge of the right front guard- quick hit with the mouse sander brought up a line of holes. I then got a scalpel and started gently poking the metal in the surrounding area- paper thin, the scalpel poked right through in a lot of spots. However, this whole guard is warped, dented and crappy in general, so I’m happy to replace it with a nicer guard, and maybe use it as a test piece for learning to panel beat? Not throwing it away of course.

There is a very minor spot in front of the right rear guard, which appears to have only pitted the metal and not eaten right through- I can sort that. The only other spot I’ve found a hole is around the lip where the fuel tank sits- looks like this area has been welded up previously (bodgey) and it was never repainted or sealed up?? Will pull the tank out and have a real good look.

I also rubbed back the bottoms of the door pillars, as my previous EK ute had bad rusting in there- nothing to see, thankfully.

I’m very new to all this, can anyone suggest what are the best tools for exposing rusted areas? I’ve read that a sanding disc on an angle grinder is good for structural areas, as well as a wire wheel for panels and to get all the finer corrosion out. I’m happy to weld in new metal for unseen spots, but panel repairs are a mystery to me. Keen to have a go though. Pics will be up tonight to show y'all what I mean.

[Andrew R]

Rust and ding pics, as per the post above. The ding in the top of the tray actually isnt as deep as i thought- maybe half an inch at most. Its just that its put that nasty wrinkle in the top of it as well. Hopefully we can heat and pull it out a bit, or maybe it's best addressed by a professional banel beater... what would you guys do??

Tray, above right wheel arch.


Driver's side guard.


In other news- the CRS V6 extractors, power steering idler pulley, custom sump and engine mounts/rubbers will be going up for sale soon. All as-new-never done any actual work aside from being bolted up in the car! so I'm hoping to get some money back for them. Will get some photos up of those as well, and i'll throw them up in the parts section.

[BILLY BLACKARROW]

That's a pretty common area for rust you can get that section from rare spares to weld in,checkout the bottom of the guard as well another common spot
Glad I am not working for a boss
BILLY