Changing Bedside on 2003 2500HD shorty
 

My son managed to perform a turning-radius experiment in the high school parking lot with my 03 2500HD and a Honda Accord bumper corner.
The body shop guy scratches his head says they could change the quarter-bedside or fix that panel, but their work is slow and they could start on it today. Then he recommends fixing that panel *my interpretation= give his guys more hours. (they wanted $1750.00 to fix it)
I would rather change out the panel myself. I would use a factory GM skin.
Anyone drilled out the welds and changed one of these skins themselves?
I figure to remove the bed and put on sawhorses. Thanks!

Re: Changing Bedside on 2003 2500HD shorty
 

Have him price it out both ways. Don't kid yourself replacing a boxside is alot of work too. If the damage isn't that bad straighten it but if cost is close to do boxside have them do it that way.

Re: Changing Bedside on 2003 2500HD shorty
 

Depending on what you can find used, you might get a whole bed for that is going to cost to fix the old one. Then you would have to paint it, of course. Just a thought.

Re: Changing Bedside on 2003 2500HD shorty
 

they did it on the tv show "trucks" once recently. you may be able to look that up

Re: Changing Bedside on 2003 2500HD shorty
 

A year later and I still havent gotten to this project. Anyone here changed a bedside that can offer insight?

Re: Changing Bedside on 2003 2500HD shorty
 

Chuck it's hard to say whether you'd be better off repairing your panel or replacing it without seeing it. Myself I'd rather have a new straight panel, knowing full well even new panels quite often require some bodywork too.
As far as drilling the spotwelds out it is a very time consuming job. Drilling and spotwelding the new panel as well. Having the right tools for the job makes any job easier.