[Shop-talk] Welding v. Rivets

[Jim Juhas]

I learned that the aluminum F150s rely on rivets rather than welds both in manufacture and repair. There is a specialized rivet gun they use that pierces the panels and doesn't go through the back panel. See henrob.com for details. I understand spot welding aluminum consumes vast amounts of amperage, more than most repair shops can handle.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 2, 2016, at 12:20 PM, rwil at sbcglobal.net wrote:
> 
> Makes sense to me. 
> -Roland
> 
> Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
>   Original Message  
> From: Jim Juhas
> Sent: Tuesday, August 2, 2016 7:45 AM
> To: rwil at sbcglobal.net
> Cc: shop-talk at autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Welding v. Rivets
> 
> My thought was that I can seal the area with a silicone adhesive or automotive bonding agents that will not be compromised by welding, and so superior to weld through coatings and the like. The bed is attached to the truck frame with eight 1/2 inch bolts so the rivets (or welds) do not add much structural integrity to the structure.
> 
> Sent via iPad
> Jim Juhas
> 
>> 
>