Question about JB Weld - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pj67coll · #1 12-17-2008, 10:02 AM

I have a small GMC Sonoma pickup. I want to put one of those bed extenders on the back that fits across the opening when you have the tailgate down to increase your load space. Can't find one for the small trucks only the fullsize. So I have been tinking about making one myself. I guess I could use some appropriately sized aluminum or steel tubing bent into the right shapes but how to stick them together? I have no welding equipment, nor experience so I was wondering about using JBWeld in lieu thereof. It worked great fixing my air cleaner mounting on my 240D. Any ideas if it would be suitable for my intended application? Anybody ever done something similar?

- Peter.

Chad300tdt · #2 12-17-2008, 10:05 AM

IMO, it would be tedious since you have to make sure the surfaces have a tooth for the JB-Weld to bond to properly ... especially in this application. Plus you'd have to make a jig to keep it stationary as it cures. Then theres the expense, it will take a lot of JB Weld.

You might be better off cutting/bending everything and drawing a diagram for someone with a welder to weld it for you.

MS Fowler · #3 12-17-2008, 10:05 AM

JB weld should do what you need.

KarTek · #4 12-17-2008, 10:27 AM

If it was me doing this, I'd find the closest size load extender to what you need, cut a section out of the middle of the tubes equal to the size you need to shrink the thing down to fit. Then, find some tubing that just fits inside the tubes you just cut. Cut a few 6" pieces, slide them into the cut off ends and then, drill and run some bolts through both pieces to create splices.

You may be able to use JB Weld to splice the pieces without using bolts but if something slid against it and broke the bond, you'd have your load coming right out the back onto the road.

This one appears to be fully adjustable and I think it's even pictured on a Sonoma/S-10.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=TLM%2DBX4004%2D02&N=700+4294846010+115&autoview=sku

kerry · #5 12-17-2008, 10:46 AM

There are products available to weld aluminum using a propane torch. I've fabricated two hanging canoe saddles using it and have been very happy. Propane torches are cheap and the welds seem very strong. I bought the stuff I used on Ebay, it is called Dura Fix aluminum welding rod.
While I really like epoxies, welding aluminum gives a much stronger bond.

tankdriver · #6 12-17-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

If it was me doing this, I'd find the closest size load extender to what you need, cut a section out of the middle of the tubes equal to the size you need to shrink the thing down to fit. Then, find some tubing that just fits inside the tubes you just cut. Cut a few 6" pieces, slide them into the cut off ends and then, drill and run some bolts through both pieces to create splices.

If the Summit Racing product doesn't work, I'd go with this. Except replace bolts with self tapping screws.

75Sv1 · #7 12-17-2008, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

If it was me doing this, I'd find the closest size load extender to what you need, cut a section out of the middle of the tubes equal to the size you need to shrink the thing down to fit. Then, find some tubing that just fits inside the tubes you just cut. Cut a few 6" pieces, slide them into the cut off ends and then, drill and run some bolts through both pieces to create splices.

You may be able to use JB Weld to splice the pieces without using bolts but if something slid against it and broke the bond, you'd have your load coming right out the back onto the road.

This one appears to be fully adjustable and I think it's even pictured on a Sonoma/S-10.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=TLM%2DBX4004%2D02&N=700+4294846010+115&autoview=sku

I like KarTek's suggestion. The tubes inside will give extra strength. I might also use pop rivets along with epoxy to hold the stuff together. JB Weld might not be the best in this application. I might look at other epoxies. I would scuff or sand the ID and OD of the matting parts, for the epoxy to adhere to.
Tom

pj67coll · #8 12-17-2008, 12:01 PM

Thank's for the replies folks. Some interesting suggestions there. And now I have found some actual bed extenders that are supposed to fit the Sonoma. Why didn't they show up before! Anyway. Not sure what my course of action will be yet but I'll post it here whatever I decide.

- Peter.

JollyRoger · #9 12-17-2008, 03:47 PM

The only ones I've seen the legendary JB Weld work for is used car salesmen, who are to be commended for their inventiveness in using it to temporarily repair engine blocks, head gasket and exhaust header leaks, that will last long enough for your check to clear.

There usually are mobile welder outfits in the local yellow pages, I have used them and they are for the most part, fairly inexpensive. I would call one of them, doing as much as the prep work for them as possible prior to their arrival.

tankdriver · #10 12-17-2008, 05:58 PM

If you can find me a job in nice, warm Phoenix, I'll weld it for ya for free.

pj67coll · #11 12-17-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tankdriver

If you can find me a job in nice, warm Phoenix, I'll weld it for ya for free.

A job in Phoenix? Surely you jest! This is probably one of the worst job markets in the entire country outside of some of the rustbelt towns that are dependent on Detroit. There's nothing here to sustain the level of economic growth we've seen over the last decade. That was driven exclusively by the housing bubble.

- Peter.

mgburg · #12 12-17-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

If it was me doing this, I'd find the closest size load extender to what you need, cut a section out of the middle of the tubes equal to the size you need to shrink the thing down to fit. Then, find some tubing that just fits inside the tubes you just cut. Cut a few 6" pieces, slide them into the cut off ends and then, drill and run some bolts through both pieces to create splices.

You may be able to use JB Weld to splice the pieces without using bolts but if something slid against it and broke the bond, you'd have your load coming right out the back onto the road.

This one appears to be fully adjustable and I think it's even pictured on a Sonoma/S-10.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=TLM%2DBX4004%2D02&N=700+4294846010+115&autoview=sku

Great job! That's exactly what I would have done!

KarTek · #13 12-17-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgburg

Great job! That's exactly what I would have done!

Shoot, it's not all that... I just figured it was the logical thing to do...

123c · #14 12-17-2008, 08:54 PM

I somewhat fixed my A/C Servo in my old 300CD with JB Weld. It stayed together for about a day, but the forces were to great for it...

cmac2012 · #15 12-17-2008, 09:32 PM

JB Weld saved me a ton of agony one time. I was heading across the North Cascades Pass in my '67 Dodge van, this is '88, en route to the Oregon Country Fair with another guy and a cute lady. We had been working with a bunch of hippies picking babies breath, the little flowers that florists crave. It's an invasive pest around Tonasket, WA and a good wage can be made picking it.

Anyway, first town beyond the crest, it starts to overheat, won't hold water -- I see a big steam leak on the block.

At a hole in the wall garage in some very small roadside town, a mechanic found the culprit -- one of the plugs coming out of the block with a hose fitting on it was stripped out and barely hanging on. He cleaned out the loose debris, liberally applied JB Weld, and off we went. I had virtually no tools with me -- older and maybe a tad wiser now.

It works much better in a case like that -- where the structure of the piece does most of the work at holding it in place.

I don't think it would endure long for the application in the OP.