powerful welder needed!!

[devilbikerdude]

hey guys, yesterday I completed the install of new leaf packs, shocks and u-bolt flip kit on my 02 tacoma.
Only problem is that the lower shock mounts need to be welded to my axle, the welder i borrowed was not performing the way it should, my friend who welds told me not to use it because we would have to heat up the axle to much to set a nice bead. I did not want to half ass the job. But i really wanted it all completed by today (my 26th birthday)
If anybody who knows how to weld and owns a portable heavy duty welder is willing to help me out that would be amazing!!!
I was recently laid off my full time job so cash flow is slow. but I can give you some gas money and a box of ammo if your interested. Iv got all sorts of calipers
I can not drive my truck so you would have to come to me. Iv got a clean work space, but I do not have 220 power
I live in Sandy off 114s

please let me know asap

-Evan eight 0 one - 7 nine two- seven 8 seven zero

 

[Box Rocket]

What welder were you using? Anything with 220v should be fine. I redid the lower shock mounts on my Tacoma and didn't preheat the axle tube. I'm using a Hobart Handler 187. Definitely not a "BIG" welder but runs 220v.

Why can't you drive the truck? If you don't have to go too far you can easily drive it without shocks just to get it somewhere where you can use 220v. Or is there some other reason it isn't driveable?

 

[devilbikerdude]

well I dont have 220 outlet and the welder I was using wasnt spooling out properly. The shocks are connected up top and i wasnt really looking forward to taking them back off, it was pain getting them on. If I have to I will drive but I would prefer to make it simple since its all set up, just needs two brackets welded to the axle.

 

[Box Rocket]

I'm just saying that if you don't have 220 at your house, you're kinda outta luck unless someone has a mobile welding truck with a generator. Aren't the upper shock mounts just two bolts to remove the shocks? If it really is that big of a pain to remove the shocks, just tie them up out of the way and drive your truck to someone with a good welder.

 

[sLcREX]

I can weld them for you, but you would need to bring the truck to my house because my welder is a 220v. I've driven without shocks before and had zero issues. You should be able to just tie them out of the way in order to drive it without having to remove them. If you have a dryer in your house that should operate on 220v but you might have a different type of plug than what the welder needs.

I'm in Magna if you decide you want to come out. But it would have to be in the late afternoon. Unless you can wait until tomorrow.

 

[skippy]

a 110 welder is more than enough to weld to a toyota housing how thick are they like 3/16

 

[mesha]

Are both welding surfaces clean and down to the bare metal? If so a properly running decent 110 welder should do it.

Also, it sounds like there are people willing to help but it might require some for you to get to their house instead of some work for them to get to your house. Just sayin'

 

[sixstringsteve]

I wonder if the polarity is backwards on your friend's welder. That can often cause it to weld crappy.

 

[devilbikerdude]

I wonder if the polarity is backwards on your friend's welder. That can often cause it to weld crappy.

I'll have to check this out, he doesnt take very good care of his tools so this could be a possibility. I will see if I can clean up the surfaces more then I have already, Im sure ill end up having to drive it somewhere, It would just be nice for my first drive on it to have it complete. I also installed new inner and outer tie rod ends, new wheels and tires and few little odds and ends.
Iv called a few mobile welding services and they are all around $65-80hr with a 2hr minimum.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Most people on here will do it for a pizza or a 12 pack if you can get it to their place. Driving a few miles without rear shocks isn't really that bad, just stay off the freeway.

I agree with Mesha, a 110v welder with flux core should be just fine. Make sure he has a really good ground (aka no paint, pure bare metal) and make sure there's no paint on the housing in the area you're welding to. By no paint, I don't mean scratch it with a screwdriver, I mean take a wire wheel to it 'till it's shiny silver metal about 1/2-1" wide.

 

[devilbikerdude]

yea im gonna get back under there right now and get at it with my wire wheel. He had it grounded to my new u-bolts which are not painted, but they are tightened down to a painted axle... not sure if that would cause resistance or not.

 

[mesha]

Is your friends welder using gas or flux core?

what are the amps of his welder?

 

[UNSTUCK]

No offense, but with the information provided it sounds like a weldor issue to me. You wont get a good paint job with out taking the time to mask and prep everything. Welding is the same way. I'm trying to get things set up here soon to have a beginners welding class. You should join us when we have it.

 

[frieed]

I'm available Friday if you don't find someone to do it sooner. You will have to bring it to my house in Draper since my welder is not portable.

-Frieed

 

[frieed]

yea im gonna get back under there right now and get at it with my wire wheel. He had it grounded to my new u-bolts which are not painted, but they are tightened down to a painted axle... not sure if that would cause resistance or not.

Put the work lead directly on the new mount that has been ground down to clean, shiny metal. This keeps the resistance lower and the arc voltage up for a hotter weld.

 

[sixstringsteve]

He had it grounded to my new u-bolts which are not painted, but they are tightened down to a painted axle... not sure if that would cause resistance or not.

That's definitely at least one of your problems. Just trying to be helpful here, but I'm not sure I'd trust that guy to weld your stuff. If he doesn't know to ground it straight to the axle, he probably doesn't know how to weld to the quality you want.

You could also wire wheel a spot on the axle, and hook a good c-clamp or some vice-grips to it (assuming they're not painted either), then attatch your ground to that.


Make sure it's not a harbor freight 110 welder, they're not beefy enough to do the work you need. You'll rip a shock mount off faster than you can shift into 4-low.

 

[1993yj]

Sounds like a ground issue to me. You need to ground to something that will be directly connected (no painted surfaces in between) to where you will be welding. If that is done correctly a 110v will be fine for that job.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Agreed, assuming your 110v can handle 1/8" steel at least. Some 110v welders (like the harbor freight ones) can only handle light sheet metal.

 

[devilbikerdude]

I acquired a better welder that should do the job just fine, I have taken a wire wheel to the proper areas on the axle, and I will make sure it is grounded properly. Thank you for all your advice! Should be done turkey day. ill post pics!