[melsdad]

Need to work on a friends tailgate on his dump bed. It is an early 80's diesel truck with no computers or complicated electrical systems. My question is. Can I safely weld on this truck without doing any electrical damage to the truck?

[dunkster]

Disconnect ground from battery and hook ground up close as possible to where you're welding. Idea is to keep weld current out of any sensitive components. Just tig'd up some rust holes in the rain gutters on my truck...fuel injected, ecu, yadee yada. No issues at all. If needed, weld on a temporary tab for ground nearby and cut off when done.

.....and welcome to the forum.

[ex framie]

Disconnect or remove the battery first.
Keep the earth as close to the work as possible.
Cheers

[Bill Beauregard]

The Mrs. just gave me hell about the dump body project I've had outside the garage for about two months. She thinks it's unsightly. It takes 1/2 hour to set up to work on it, and a half hour to put it away. Unless I have two hours it ain't worth it.

I've welded on vehicles forever, since before they had batteries, let alone computers. Not once have I personally seen a problem. If concerned, disconnect battery terminals. Electrical current follows the easiest path. Connect your work lead to the piece you're working on. Make sure the cables are clean, the clamps are good, and grind a clean place to clamp. It'll be good.

[Poland308]

Pipe systems get welded on every day that are laced with pump motors on freq drives and lots of low voltage building controls but all you ever do is ground close to your work.

[melsdad]

Thanks for the responses guys. I didn't think I had much to worry about with this old truck. I will be able to get a good ground clamp less than 12" from where I need to do the work. To lean towards the safe side I may still disconnect the negative battery terminal.