Fleetside panels and disassembly question (updated w/pics)
 

just picked up a SWB fleet bed, need to repair a few areas around the bottom inside lip/flange. Will try and post pics tommorrow.

what is the best way to accomplish this? looks like it rusted away whe mosture was between the wood and lip. Does anyone make patch panels for this area? if not what is the best method?

I have almost everything disassembled but it looks like the rear crossmember is tack welded to the bed sides (is this factory?) I have all the bolts removed but wont come apart yet? I just need to finsh remove this and the front bed panel then will take all to the soda blasters to get a good cleaning, and get ready to start the metal prep/repair work.

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

Yeah the back cross sill is tack welded. Just grind them off, and there is 2 bolts on each side that holds it on also.

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

Me and you are doing the same thing. Bought my fleetside about a month or so ago. It was hard finding a decent one. Mine is no where near solid. To bad we cant change our screen names!:lol:

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

Thanks! I will get this done tommorrow. Any ideas on repair/replacement of the lip/flange that runs across the front and down each side and is prone to cancer through the years

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

Yeah mine is trashed too, still trying to figure that one out. When I figure something decent I'll let you know.

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

thanks 62! We can't change or modify our names? Oh man that bites!

Yours is looking great, I just got back in this afternoon, it was a 1500 mile roundtrip to pick it up, what a roadtrip, from New Mexico to Houston/Galveston area. left at 2:30 AM yesterday, drove until 12:30AM this Morning, got a room and crashed, got up and finished the last 7 hours.

I'm calling the Boss in the AM and take the day off to recoup and finsh disassembly.

Yeah thanks, let me know if you come up with a solid fix, I am going to go see some body/metal fabricators and see if they have any sugestions. not all is bad just here and there 4"'s 6"'s etc.

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

I dont blame you, take off and get some rest. Maybe sneek in a few hours of work on the truck!!! Thanks for the complement. Maybe in paint by spring, Maybe!

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

Went to Mar-K website: http://www.mar-k.com and found something that may work.

They have replacement flanges to repair the bed wheel tubs for our year trucks, thought I would buy three or four and use the long pieces to fix what I need. The already have holes drilled, and have instructions for welding:
http://www.mar-k.com/wheelhouse_repair_flange.html

Will do some measuring today on the originals and see.

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

That just might work! Thanks for that info! The flange on my wheel tubs are toast too!

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

your welcome, I hope it helps. I dissassembled everything today, took pictures will post in the AM when I get to work. I am debating how I am going to have the panels stripped? sandblasting I hear will warp panels, so I guess it is media or soda blasting. anyone have a preference?

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

I had mine sandblasted, but like I said they were in bad shape to begin with. Media blasting would be a good choice I think.

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

I am going to go with soda blasting, there is one guy 250 miles away in Alburq. NM, noone in Lubbock TX or Amarillo TX. I called him today and he quoted me $600 for the whole thing, might be pricey but really my only choice and after a 1500 mile round trip and $400 for the bed I already have an investment involved, plus it is hard enough to find a SWB fleet bed in the first place.

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

Yes its true, hard to find one. Good luck with yours. Jeremy

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

Here are the pictures of the SWB Fleet bed I picked up this weekend, has surface rust and only a couple of places (interior flange) where it will need to be cut and repaired.

will be having it soda blasted first to see what we have and then maybe some light sand blasting if need be. will POR15 all the behind the panel areas I can, any other suggestions would be appreciated.

I will have to buy new crossmembers since 60-62 mounting points are wider than 63-66. this cam off a 63'.

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

The last two

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

Thats a nice way to bring it home too! lol, gonna be a nice lookin truck....

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

made it easy to haul, 3 2x6x82" four ratcheting straps (each corner) hauled it 750 miles, 70+ MPH no problem. Didn't have to mess with a trailer etc. Once I got it home soaked all the bolts with WD40 left it over night, next morning, came apart no problem. Thanks, I know it will look better once it is blasted, treated, and at least primed.

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

derek
you did not waste any time. kenneth

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

KENNETH!
hey man, good to hear from you! Ya, no moss grows under my feet, when I left your place we pushed through to Weatherford, TX and shut down at 12:30AM, sleep for 6 1/2 hours got up and pushed on for the last 7 hrs to the house.

watched the superbowl, crashed, called in to work and took Monday off, disassembled the bed, made some calls to soda blasters and sheetmetal/body guys, now just figuring out what is best. not sure if POR 15, Eastwoods or some other treatment is better, hoping someone will speak up and give me some advice.

Thanks again for everything, keep in touch on your truck.

Derek

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

The bed looks looks its in real good shape. I think por-15 would be good to put behind.

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

I researched that stuff for a long time before finally deciding on a product called ZERORUST www.zerorust.com, I sprayed my frame with it ( with only a little wire wheeling first) and so far after it sitting outside for two winters it still looks good.

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

thanks 62shortstep! was yours like this when you got it? Yours looks great now, do you have any pics of when you first got yours and progress pics? You can email them to me at dfranz.ppl@yucca.net (business Email)

did you have any problems with sandblasting warping panels?

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

Thanks for the tip Magooster! Looks like I have more reading to do tonight.

Just trying to make the best decision based on sound information. it gets too expensive having to reinvent the wheel so to speak.

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

derek
i found the same rust on the 67 i just got. have to change the L strips.kenneth.

Re: Fleetside patch panels and disassembly question
 

Yeah mine looked like yours, until I got it blasted.:whine: Then I really could see what I was getting in to. I have used a lot of filler, but I am not building a $30,000 show truck. Just a good running play toy. I'll send you some pics of it. The blasting I think did a little warping but it wasn't that bad. If you have a place that can media blast, that would probably be better. Jeremy.