fed up with body work, dunno what else to do...

the odd thing is that since ive done this the only spot that is surface rusting is the area im havin trouble with...also i dont get why it is thinner is this area than it is all the way around the patch.....

around here a bed is $100 and that would cost less then bondo and primer i say get a new bed and possibly a beat up door to use as a filler to repair the pillar by using the bodyline and splicing it in

honestly If I were you I'd get a new bed, If you're not that experienced. Rust has a way of poppin back up, and if you dont treat it right ...it will.

Originally posted by lowgmc



as far as your bed goes think about the amount of labor you have in it..also the material that will be used to get the bed sides strait. it may be easier in the long run to cut your loses. if the lights are already shaved cut them out on the bedside part and grind them downto fit a new bed. as far as your post goes it looks like it needs some pulling. dont know what kind of tools you have, but a clamp, flat stock and a come along would get that out with the quickness!!! if you need any more help or suggestions hit me up.

if the post is in(thats what it looks like in the pic)take a piece of flat stock and weld it to the out side of the post closest to the jamb. grab a clamp from a local tool truck. the clamp will be double sided with teeth and closes shut with bolts. find a steel post(something strong and in the ground) and use the come along around the post clamped to your pillar...depending on how bad it is. like james said could just use a slide hammer but if its buckled in side the jamb th epost will need pulling

well it just gets worse now.....i got a set of 18" and 20" budniks over the weekend that were on a hardbody and im not sure what they did on the rear but they wont tuck on mine....so im thinkin of chopin up a set 4x4 fenders and patch them in for the clearence.....if i do that then the whole problem area will be cut out....i just need to find another set...

how wide are the 20's they may have narrowed the rear end

hey reference your panels in the bed, i dont know if your welding a new panel straight to the bed or if you are putting a backing plate behind it, if you attempt to weld two flush panels together you will with no doubt burn through in certain areas,metal on older trucks will over time get thinner, but if you cut out a piece to go behind the old panel and drill hole into the bed side, you can tack weld that panel in, then when you put your new filler panel in you will have a stronger weld and more material to weld with. reference your door piller, it would be best to use a come-along or weld a pulling tab to the outside edge and pull with a slide hammer. i wish you the best.

well i have been tryin to hammer and dolly it out a little but, just behind where i welded there is a bulge out and im not sure on which side to place the dolly ill try to get a pic up from above so the profile of the bedside is visible to see the bulge im talkin about, but the hammer and dolly seems to be helping aroun that lower arear that was blowin through but, im not sure if or how im gonna get the edge/corner of the wheel opening straightened out and obviously i cant put fill there to shape it cuz in short time it will just break off....

well if and when you get the picture i will be here to help with what i can. i have been in the automotive industry for over nine years and am certified in autmotive repair and structual welding.

ive been swamped hadnt had time for nuthin the past few days....