Behind the grille

[Conner]

After I pulled the radiator in my truck (a 64) I found that part of the unibody behind the grille had been cut away. The vertical cross-member behind the grille and in front of the radiator was attached at the top but just hung free at the bottom. Looks like a strip of the body was cut out between the frame members. Here are a couple of pics.




Here's another picture after I pulled the grille out this afternoon.


Anybody have any idea why someone would do this?

Can anyone post or take and post a picture of what their truck looks like in this area so I can see what it should look like?

I presume the strip should just run across shaped like it is on either side of the cut out.

I'm planning to bend some steel in an L-shape similar to the original profile and weld it in and then reattach that vertical crosspiece. I'm thinking 18 gauge. Any thoughts?

[Li'l Truckie]

Conner,

Only reason I can think some previous owner cut the out is to put in a larger radiator. Though a radiator from a Datsun 510, 521, and 620 are all about the same size, so cutting this section out is/was unnecessary. Do you not have the OE Nihon radiator?

pic from my parts '62 - let me know if you need more detailed pics.



Andy

[Conner]

Thanks for your response and the picture. It's helpful. Should be pretty straightforward to patch. I can't tell from your pic if the vertical crossmember in the middle is spot welded or bolted down to the unibody. Let me know if you get a chance. Thanks.

[Gemmer]

Mine is spot welded.

[Li'l Truckie]

yip, spot welded.

[Conner]

That's great, thanks.

I need to decide whether to buy the $60 30" metal brake from Harbor Freight or build some kind of a homemade brake using angle iron, wood, and some hinges.

[difrangia]

Conner,
Why not trace a profile of the panel where it's cut and take to a local sheetmetal shop and get them to bend you up a section a little long that you can trim-to-fit and splice in? They will have the proper equipment and probably a stock of raw sheet to do the job.

If you would have a use for a brake for later projects, acquiring one would be good. The Brake/Roll/Shear machine that Harbor Freight and other discount and non-discount suppliers market is a pretty good machine for home use. My brother has one in his auto-accesory business and it looks pretty good and he's happy with it.

Steve

[Conner]

Thanks, Steve. It's a good thought. I sourced some 18-gauge steel sheet and cut it to size. If I can't get the bends the way I like them I will probably do as you say and seek out professional help.
I would like to own a brake, but my current garage space is pretty well maxed out. Isn't that always the case?