Fleetside bed patch panels

[apache200]

Does anyone know where i could get some patch panels for my fleetside bed? I need them for in front of the wheel wells. Are there any other beds the may have the same body lines that I could use?

[Maximus]

no patches made for the fleets. Those panels are gonna have to be hand crafted... sorry.

[OrrieG]

I do know that 60+ rear lower corners will fit, that is what I used to patch mine where it was cut out for the lift gate. The rest will need to be made. Hardest part would be the bottom profile. I do not know if 60+ had the same profile at the bottom. It would seem that if there was enough demand someone with a bead roller might have some dies made to at least run flat stock with one edge rolled (hint hint for those that already have the equipment). Behind the wheel well it just is a flat rolled profile.

[traenknerperformance]

a good restoration shop should beable to fix that up no problem

[Rude Dude]

I'd cut off in a straight line and straighten it then re-weld

[apache200]

OrrieG i was thinking the same thing but I wasnt sure. I have been looking at pics of both to try to compare the body lines. To me it looks like the bottom half of the taillight panel will work to. I hope to make a trip to the junkyard this weekend to do a little shopping. lol

[fabguy]

They stopped making fleetside bed patch panels over 25 yrs ago. There was a company that used to make them, I played heck trying to find one and after I fixed the bed I found one by accident. Those panels are harder to find than chicken lips..lol
good luck
Posted via Mobile Device

[meter swinger]

This comes up so often that I would think there is enough demand for bedsides or at least patch panels that it would profitable. With the rest of the bed repoped iwould think the bed sides would take off. If a vendor could sell the sides and deluxe trim to go with it. Ive been offered $$$ for my bed at the gas station.
a 55-59 burb/panel has really close curvature, problem is there even harder to find, and usually more rusted.

[messy jesse]

i need to find a fleetside

[C.shows]

Hey guys, I was lucky enough to find a fleetside! And trying to find patch panels
Also. So just that I'm reading correctly. The rear lower for the 60-66 will work?
My buddy is building a 63 an looking at his the front should work to. Just cut the length down.
Any thoughts?
Posted via Mobile Device

[apache200]

Yes the rear lower part of a 60-66 Chevy fleetside will work. I have been looking around and you can get patch panels really cheap for the 60-66 fleetside bed. I found another 59 fleetside bed that's in a lot better shape. I will post pics when I pick it up.

[sqrlnts]

I am looking to do the same thing on my 58 fleetside. Found affordable patch panels here for the 60-66, I have been told the lower bed parts are the same, just the spear and the upper bed were different.

[apache200]

Those panels do look to be the same as the front of the 58 59 fleetside sides. I have since bought a short fleetside box that is in alot better shape then that bed I posted in the first post. I still need to repair the lower parts on both sides of my new bed. Let us know how the patch panels work out for you... BTW your truck looks great.

[sqrlnts]

Originally Posted by apache200

Those panels do look to be the same as the front of the 58 59 fleetside sides. I have since bought a short fleetside box that is in alot better shape then that bed I posted in the first post. I still need to repair the lower parts on both sides of my new bed. Let us know how the patch panels work out for you... BTW your truck looks great.

Thanks Apache200, I am also looking into using fender patch panels for the front bottom fenders, might be cheaper and fit the body line also. We will see.

[buggy5872]

Those front panels are not really that had to make if you have access to a metal brake. I made the lower 10" of the rear doors on Big Bertha by bending the bottom profile in my brake and then bending the curve over my thigh until it was the correct curve. The Low cab forward trucks have the rocker connected to the bottom of the door so it is exactly the same as the front bed panel. I used 18 ga metal which is the closest thickness to the metal of the TF trucks.

[sqrlnts]

Originally Posted by buggy5872

Those front panels are not really that had to make if you have access to a metal brake. I made the lower 10" of the rear doors on Big Bertha by bending the bottom profile in my brake and then bending the curve over my thigh until it was the correct curve. The Low cab forward trucks have the rocker connected to the bottom of the door so it is exactly the same as the front bed panel. I used 18 ga metal which is the closest thickness to the metal of the TF trucks.

Nice work! I unfortunantely do not have access to a brake and even if I did I would be lost in its use! I cut a template from the front fender to match up to the bed, the curve on the front fender is sharper and as you mentioned would not mate up well. Probably back to buying the 60-66 lower patch panel, but its not going to happen for some time.

[buggy5872]

Originally Posted by sqrlnts

Nice work! I unfortunantely do not have access to a brake and even if I did I would be lost in its use! I cut a template from the front fender to match up to the bed, the curve on the front fender is sharper and as you mentioned would not mate up well. Probably back to buying the 60-66 lower patch panel, but its not going to happen for some time.

From your pic it does not look like yours is too bad. Looks like the front edge of the wheel well is buggered up....

[Task Force Era]

Dug this one up from the archives for sure!!

So has anyone ordered the patch panels from Tuckers and put em on a 58-59 Fleetside bed yet??

I got my bedsides blasted and epoxy'd and the rear sections were ate up pretty bad with the rot. So those panels would actually be perfect!!



For future reference

[Task Force Era]

**Ordered the 60-66 rear patch panels and put them on a 58-59 that is**

[sqrlnts]

Still curious myself.

[All59]

Here is a sneak peak of what I been working on got one side done ,now I working on the mold for the other side.

[dubie]

is this metal or is it a resin bed side?

[_Ogre]

i don't see any rot there; a little sheet stock and those would be good as new.
i actually consider that minor rust.

[All59]

Dubie,I only use iso resin and the finish is high end gel.pm me is you need more info.

[Ratpin]

Can anyone confirm that the 60-66 front fleetside bed panels are a match for the 58-59 beds?
I am going to need to do something on my drivers side as seen below.