Dovetail Questions please

[Big Blue]

Hey crew,

Planning my next mod...Dovetail and rear baja/raceline type rear bumper.

Dovetailing "seems" pretty straight forward. I have already gotten under the truck and see it's just a matter of sheet metal removal.

However, What is the best tool(s) to use for cutting, Plasma Cutter, Sawzall, Cut-Off Wheel, light saber???

I have seen pics where guys tape off the area first. What are you doing to protect the exposed area from rust after the cut? Looks like some guys are running some form of plastic edge over the new cut. Where did you get that material? Does a forum vendor sell a kit?

Any other words of wisdom and/or advise would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[HAYNES OFFROAD]

I've done it with a very fine tooth Sawzall blade and cuts pretty clean. But I've moved to a THIN cut off wheel. Alot easier and smooth as Butta.

Tapping off that whole areas a must, helps keep from scratching the rest of the panel your keeping. also makes it easier to trace a line where you want to cut.

I know the SVC rear bumper just comes with a weatherstripping to finish that off. But being in the salt belt, I would get some touch up paint and seal off the cut edge first, and then put the weatherstripping on. Every little bit helps.

---------- Post added at 01:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:53 PM ----------

Plasma cutter is a no no. Too much heat. Will bubble the Paint. Same goes for the light saber

---------- Post added at 02:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:54 PM ----------

Special discounts for locals if you go with the SVC baja bumper! I can also help save you on shipping if your willing to pick up.

 

[Labraptor]

Watch joking about discounts for locals somebody might take you up on that, lol. I need a new rear bumper and am close to local too.

Good luck with the dovetail Mike.

 

[HAYNES OFFROAD]

Watch joking about discounts for locals somebody might take you up on that, lol. I need a new rear bumper and am close to local too.

Good luck with the dovetail Mike.

Hey I'm not joking about the discount!

I've got a semi loading dock available that will cut shipping cost down a bit. That lift gate truck service freaking expensive.

Shoot me a Pm or email when your ready to pull the trigger, I'll take care of you.

 

[BigJ]

Hey crew,

Planning my next mod...Dovetail and rear baja/raceline type rear bumper.

Dovetailing "seems" pretty straight forward. I have already gotten under the truck and see it's just a matter of sheet metal removal.

However, What is the best tool(s) to use for cutting, Plasma Cutter, Sawzall, Cut-Off Wheel, light saber???

I have seen pics where guys tape off the area first. What are you doing to protect the exposed area from rust after the cut? Looks like some guys are running some form of plastic edge over the new cut. Where did you get that material? Does a forum vendor sell a kit?

Any other words of wisdom and/or advise would be appreciated.

Thanks.

When I had mine done a few years back (on my 2010 SCab), the complicated part of the job wasn't hacking off the sheet metal, but what to do with the hitch. I ended up having the hitch torched off (its welded to the frame) shortened (material cut out horizontally then reinforced and welded back together) then rewelded to the frame a full 8" higher. One ramification of all this is I lost the spare tire mount underneath. Maybe there's a better way to do it these days?

As for the plastic over the cut edge, I used the u channel trim stuff you can get at any auto parts store, and ran a bead of silicone inside it (in white to match my paint) before squishing it on. A few years later, its still holding good as new and there's no sign of rust anywhere.

Hope that helps.

 

[Big Blue]

When I had mine done a few years back (on my 2010 SCab), the complicated part of the job wasn't hacking off the sheet metal, but what to do with the hitch. I ended up having the hitch torched off (its welded to the frame) shortened (material cut out horizontally then reinforced and welded back together) then rewelded to the frame a full 8" higher. One ramification of all this is I lost the spare tire mount underneath. Maybe there's a better way to do it these days?

As for the plastic over the cut edge, I used the u channel trim stuff you can get at any auto parts store, and ran a bead of silicone inside it (in white to match my paint) before squishing it on. A few years later, its still holding good as new and there's no sign of rust anywhere.

Hope that helps.

Thanks J,

I have already removed everything this afternoon and Jimmy @ WSI is gonna do the cutting at Havoc. The Baja/Raceline style bumper I plan on running will not have a trailer hitch and I stow my spare on my bed rack. Thanks for the idea of a bead of silicone on the trim piece, I will do that.

 

[BigJ]

Good deal BB. Throw up some shots when done!