Welding Panels

[Jesse Walter]

I've seen pictures of guys here welding on cab corners and rocker panels, etc.  Some people over lap the new panel over the old and some butt them up to each other.  What is the better way to do it?

I figure that the rockers, floors, etc are easier to do if you overlap some and screw them on before welding.  But on something like that cab corner or another patch on the outside of the truck would it be better to butt them with the old sheet metal, tack weld slowly to fill the void so the metal will not warp.

Sorry for all the questions guys but I've never done body work before and am determind to do this myself.
I've built 9 sec race cars, rebuilt engines, painted cars and have done pratically everything except body work and welding. lol

[overthepond]

I recently did both on my truck and butt welded them purely to ease the bodywork later on,lapped would be a touch stronger but less pleasing on the eye and would need more prep work etc..well thats my opinion 

[PRattenbury]

There are tools available that let you joggle the metal and also punch holes in it so you can lap joint the panels and do spot welds to hold them together. Or you can butt weld.

[overthepond]

Got one of those but never use it...

[Irish_Alley]

butt the panels if its on the outside and visable "its easer to cover a weld than 1/8th" gap but if its hidden just spot weld them with the holes.