M38 fender hat channel wood?

SledDog · Post by **SledDog** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 4:02 pm

Piece by piece I'm getting there! Currently working on the fenders. One side has wood still in the hat channel support the other side has apparently rotted and disappeared. The wood is in somewhat good shape but I'm contemplating removing it. Suggestions?

Post by **wesk** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:24 pm

The wood used in the hat channels both under the fenders and under/in the tub hat channels was there to increase strength. The moisture it entrapped is what caused so many corroded hat channels. If you do not plan to use your jeep as a rock crawler, or do not plane to ship your jeep with another setting on top of the fenders, then you don't really need the wood filler. Where bolts are used right thru the hat channel you should weld in a bushing so the bolt won't crush the channel.

SledDog · Post by **SledDog** » Sat Mar 02, 2013 9:18 am

Thanks. It will be gone later this morning!