molding in 76 dually fenders

[Stonecarver]

Has anyone made the dually fenders on a 76 dually look like they are part of the bed? What would be a good way to do that?

[joe231]

I haven't done it or seen it done....but I would think fiberglass would be the way to do it....

[onelow1ton]

i have seen 2 or 3 molded in ill see if i can find the pix

[Driveway Dreams]

You have a few options for this, but they will all eventually crack because of the difference in expansion rates between the fender and the bed side materials. But you can use a fiberglass enhanced filler, followed by regular filler/glaze. Or there are some people who have done this sort of thing with a 2 part epoxy as well.

[tonyscustomrides]

the ideal way, unbolt the fenders, remove any coatings between and outwards 2", spray weld-through primer on both surfaces. Then bolt the fenders back to the correct position, and weld the entire distance around with a bunch of tack welds, spacing them 1-2 inches apart, till it forms a single bead. now, take your time when doing this, or the whole bed side will warp. I like to do one tack, and immediately cool it with compressed air, and then move to the other side. But you should never fell heat with your bare hand on the metal.

grind just the weld with a round carbide burr, then use a short strand kitty hair to water proof the seam, then body fill. any questions feel free to ask me

[dooce]

I think dually fenders are made from fiberglass, which is why the comment above about the difference in expansion rates.

Stepside fenders may not be though.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Driveway Dreams

...... Or there are some people who have done this sort of thing with a 2 part epoxy as well.

Originally Posted by dooce

I think dually fenders are made from fiberglass.

Correct, they are made from a composite.

Driveway Dreams probably has the best answer. Use panel epoxy to glue them then mold them from there. Not matter what they are going to crack eventually.

[Gemp]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Correct, they are made from a composite.

Driveway Dreams probably has the best answer. Use panel epoxy to glue them then mold them from there. Not matter what they are going to crack eventually.

You could go the long,spendy way use full glass bed sides and mold the dually flares to them. Not the cheap way,but it shouldn't crack.

[tonyscustomrides]

fiberglass thats rite, for some reason i thought they were metal fenders

[Driveway Dreams]

Originally Posted by Gemp

You could go the long,spendy way use full glass bed sides and mold the dually flares to them. Not the cheap way,but it shouldn't crack.

If you were set on making them out of the same material, you would be better off to build metal fenders. Then you could weld them on as said above.

--> As far as using the 2 part epoxy, use it to adhere the pieces together and also to smooth the seam out. This will be flexible enough to help prevent as much cracking. But yet firm enough to allow you to sand it smooth at the joint. Then you could use some body GLAZE (more flexible than filler) to really smooth it out. Make sense?