Welding while attached to my truck - quick help!

Skrap · Jun 6, 2015

Going to fab some brackets today for my LED light bar. Some of the fab will go easier if I can tack weld parts of the bracket while temporarily bolted to the truck near the tow hook area. Is there a problem doing this or will welding anything touching the truck be harmful to the electrical systems of my 2500? This may be a dumb question but electrical work and I don't play well together. Thanks

charonblk07 · Jun 6, 2015

Ground as closely to the welding spot as possible, but it's honestly not a big issue since body and exhaust shops weld on these vehicles all day long. You can disconnect the negative cable as well if you want.

Burla · Jun 6, 2015

Your trucks electrical system is ground, so your good.

14hemiexpress · Jun 6, 2015

I do exhaust work and some fab work time to time and I always disconnect the battery and clamp as close a possible never had a issue.

Also I recomend thick blankets or the welding paper to protect your bumper and anything you don't want little burn marks on... Unless your useing a tig in witch case anything like a old shirt or rag (that's not covered in flammable stuff) incase a small spark jumps.

stoney · Jun 6, 2015

Skrap said:
Going to fab some brackets today for my LED light bar. Some of the fab will go easier if I can tack weld parts of the bracket while temporarily bolted to the truck near the tow hook area. Is there a problem doing this or will welding anything touching the truck be harmful to the electrical systems of my 2500? This may be a dumb question but electrical work and I don't play well together. Thanks

Good clean ground, most important thing when welding on a vehicle.

Galion · Jun 7, 2015

General rule when welding on vehicles or equipment is disconnect the battery(s) and go to town. Although I have welded on a couple friends' trucks without doing it and never had issues, 99% of the time nothing would happen anyways, but for the 30 seconds it takes, disconnect it to be 100%.

Skrap · Jun 7, 2015

Thanks guys. My original plan/need to weld on the truck ended up not being necessary as my original measurements were off so my plans for fabrication changed.

Got it 80% complete. Just have to fine tune some things and rattle can the paint tomorrow.

14hemiexpress · Jun 7, 2015

Skrap said:
Thanks guys. My original plan/need to weld on the truck ended up not being necessary as my original measurements were off so my plans for fabrication changed.

Got it 80% complete. Just have to fine tune some things and rattle can the paint tomorrow.

Looking forward to some pics!

Skrap · Jun 8, 2015

Got the fabbed parts primed and one coat of paint. Will install the light this week and the wire harness Saturday. Should have it all buttoned up and thread posted Sunday. Not a great fab guy but just enough skill to be dangerous.

NorthTexasHemi · Jun 11, 2015

Skrap said:
Thanks guys. My original plan/need to weld on the truck ended up not being necessary as my original measurements were off so my plans for fabrication changed.

Got it 80% complete. Just have to fine tune some things and rattle can the paint tomorrow.

Measure twice, cut once :superhack:

Skrap · Jun 11, 2015

NorthTexasHemi said:
Measure twice, cut once

Truth spoken!

I got everything done except just need to let the last coat of paint dry and then install the light. Wiring is all hooked up and ready to go. Should look real nice.

Welding while attached to my truck - quick help!

Skrap

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charonblk07

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Burla

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14hemiexpress

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stoney

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Galion

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Skrap

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14hemiexpress

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Skrap

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NorthTexasHemi

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Skrap

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