Question about reproduction Passenger Bed side I received

[wesmigletz]

received my repro passenger side bedside today. It has a gap opened on the bottom. The driver side does not have this opening, it appears closed or pushed shut.

(1) Is this opening supposed to be here?

(2) Should I open the driver side up to match or tap this closed? If closed, should I weld it?

[litebulblsc]

Looks like you received a defected part. I would call the supplier before anything...

[wesmigletz]

Originally Posted by litebulblsc

Looks like you received a defected part. I would call the supplier before anything...

Thank you. I spoke with the supplier this afternoon and am waiting to hear back from him. I emailed pics.

[Sand Wrench]

You might butt the outer rocker up against it and see how it fits. Post pictures when you start putting the body together, good luck!

[litebulblsc]

Can you take the same 2 pictures of the other side (drivers)?

[jjzepplin]

Aww yeah! I am interested in the fit manufacturer and the fit of these. Please post lots of pics!

[hemi43]

I don't know what it's supposed to look like, but it's definitely not defective. Those are stamped parts, so the die isn't going to make a mistake and the parts seem to fit together as designed. It may be for drainage because the rocker covers this area and it wont be seen. I would be interested what the other side looks like. (Tool Maker 35+ years)

[lks dcvn]

I believe my bedsides have these 'relief' cuts as well on both sides. I would have to check. As noted - they appear to be tooling in the stamp and not a defect. They would certainly help with drainage in this area as the OEM stuff rotted away in this exact spot where water/dirt/etc. could not escape.

Additionally - it would also help for flex in this area to prevent cracking metal and then initiate rust from the elements over time.

[wesmigletz]

The blazer is at another guy's house getting metal work done, including the front floor and A Pillars. I will be painting the inside of the bedsides and bed floor before taking those parts to him for fitment. So, I will have to follow-up on fitment. Both bedsides are woodall brand, from different suppliers, both of which I regularly buy from. Looking at the driver side below, if it is correct, the passenger side should be a relatively easy fix.

[jjzepplin]

What are those setting a person back now? If you don't mind me asking?

[wesmigletz]

Varies by supplier, but the cheapest I found was $700 per side. Both of mine happened to be Woodall brand from two different suppliers. Goodmark are about $200 each higher, but may be made by the same people.

I hope to be fitting the bedsides to floor in 2-3 weeks and will post back. Repro doors are fitting OK with what's left of my tub, but will know for sure once the repro bedsides and repro bed floor are in.I am not sure.

Truck bedsides are a little cheaper and in my one time use, they fit good on my 67 SWB.

[jjzepplin]

How much was the shipping?

[wesmigletz]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

How much was the shipping?

$225 for +/- 900 miles for one bedside and a tailgate. When I ordered the bed floor and other bedside and two doors, it was almost $400

I wasn't charged sales tax, which offsets the cost. Not cheap by any means.

[jjzepplin]

Thank you! I am looking for a bedside but it sure is a mutha. I am eventually going to have to break down and go this route I fear.

[wesmigletz]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

Thank you! I am looking for a bedside but it sure is a mutha. I am eventually going to have to break down and go this route I fear.

For my Blazer, I didn't see an alternative. I would have been money ahead to sell it while drivable, and find something nicer

[smbrouss70]

It's not a fantastic shot of it, and I only took the driver's side rocker off due to rust, but that gap appears to be there from the factory. FWIW

[wesmigletz]

Thank you SMBROUSS70, that's a big help and relief to see.