Panels for Dummies!

[bmouthboyo]

This may sound like a daft question as I am fairly sure I understand the process but thought probably best to ask.

From what I can gather panels on the T25 are spot welded in. I assume to do this the interior of the van is removed so access to the rear of the panels is possible.

What I dont understand is if it is possible to remove a panel intact fix a problem such as rust / welding and then refit it using the spot weld method again. From what I can see of the rear of my panels having removed the interior it would not be possible to get a drill or grinder to the spot welds so cannot see how it is possible. But I know I have seen people selling whole panels from chopped vans??

Also what do the panels spot weld onto exactly? Is it part of the structural frame? For instance my rear windows have been leaking due to rust and the area above the arch where the water has got to is rusted. Is this a replacement part itself or is it part of the main frame you can see when all the interior is stripped?

Sorry if this is all a bit obvious.

[Plasticman]

start here
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=84062" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
then look at the kevthe revs im doing , study it and you will see exactly how to do it.
mm

[boatbuilder]

Generally its not possible to take a panel out, fix it and put it back in again.
Usually its a matter of cutting out most of it with a grinder, which then allows you access from outside the van to get in to drill out the spot welds. Then you remove the remnants of the panel, fix any underlying rust and replace with a new reproduction panel.

When cutting panels from a donor, a lot of people cut it bigger than the panel and then take it home and remove the unwanted bits.

[bmouthboyo]

Ah that's perfect thank you guys