New to forum + a few issues...

We all love pics. Dirtier , rustier , shinier the betterer

Haha okay I will make sure to take them as I go along then, just be open minded with my welding i will be going for a rustic, function before form approach

That approach has worked for me.

Mind you I have a P38 so no welder.
but if you saw the state on my old defender you would agree that’s for the best

Haha good to hear and yeah right I see

Give a veteran welder down pub pint to set your welder up for you and use bit of thin steel practice on first is best.
Do a stab then turn it over quickly and see the mark it makes on other side - you got to get it to penetrate through then you know your right. It will all clean up fine with a flap disc and you can go over it again, argon etc will help keep a cleaner weld but not a must.

Little bit, let it cool, little bit more, let it cool... etc etc.

if you can , include a thicker piece behind the joint, say 1.6mm to take the heat away and allow you to use more current