Need Advice About Welding on an LR4

[Avslash]

Hey Guys,

I would appreciate some opinions on heliarc welding on an LR4 frame.

I don't weld, so I would be having a local shop do this. I'm looking to get the front wheel well frame horns cut out, shaved down, and then welded back in place over the holes.

The shop I have spoken with said they would be heliarc welding the shaved horns back in place.

Is this a categorically stupid idea, given the highly electronic nature of the LR4, or would disconnecting the battery take care of any potential electronics issues.

I value all opinions, as I have, literally, zero experience with welding on vehicles.

Thanks.

 

[perkj]

I've welded on my LR3 for my rear tire carrier and only disconnected the battery and had no issues

 

[zelatore]

I've done this on both my LR3 and a friend's LR4. I used my little 110v MIG with no problems. Just disconnected the battery and went at it. I do have another friend who had his LR4 done by a 'pro' who promptly set the inner wheel well liner on fire though, so do be careful.

 

[Dmarchand]

Same here on my LR4, cut down and reboxed the frame horns. Disconnect the battery.

 

[DiscoDavis]

I've done this on both my LR3 and a friend's LR4. I used my little 110v MIG with no problems. Just disconnected the battery and went at it. I do have another friend who had his LR4 done by a 'pro' who promptly set the inner wheel well liner on fire though, so do be careful.

That went from 0-100 really quick. Full spectrum of best-case/worst-case.

 

[Avslash]

Thanks guys.

I guess I might don a helmet and stand over the fellows shoulder with fire extinguisher close at hand.

 

[crash!!!]

Professional schooled welder here. My opinion is just disconnect battery and weld. I personally pull the battery completely out. No logic, just weird I guess. But it is a land rover and we all know they can do weird things from time to time. And always when welding have the appropriate fire extinguisher and good insurance.

 

[Dmarchand]

The liner is a thin plastic, so no surprise on the burn. They are cheap to replace if that happens. I had to swap out my rear liners after the tires chewed through them on a full bag deflate at highway speeds.

 

[LR Max]

Check the owners manual as sometimes they have suggestions.

I recommend disconnecting the battery and all of the computers. A bit overkill, but when them computers cost $1k a piece, I'll take the extra 30 minutes since frying an ECU is a bad time.

On other computer controlled engines (in the industrial market), this is pretty much always recommended.