Stepside Fenders

[wayno]

So I have sent my bed pieces off to get media blasted... when I took the the fenders off the stepside - I noticed gaskets between the fender and the bed side. So this brings up a couple of questions - 1). where do I find a set of these - don't see them on LMC 2). For you guys with Stepsides - did you paint the bed apart - put this gasket in place and then assemble - can't image trying to mask this gasket and trying to tigthen phillip screws after they have been painted doesn't seem like a good idea either... what have other guy done here?

[1enick72]

I am interested in this as well. I know the older trucks used a welt but I was thinking that the newer, 55 2nd series and up, just used something like 3M Strip -Calk. From what I remember it comes in black and white. I would think that painting and then installing would be the way to go but if the phillips head bolts where painted than it would be tough to install without paint chipping off.

[WhippinSaw]

The gasket is sold as "fender welt", I bought mine at classic parts. What I did was after everything was painted I used 3m weather strip adhesive to secure the welt to the fenders, use enough adhesive so the welt stays where you want and then I bolted the fender to the bed. To make the curves you have to cut triangle pieces of material out so the fender welt lays flat. The welt comes in different colors.
http://www.classicparts.com/1941-72-.../#.UYhxtlet8uM

[glos55]

WhippinSaw is correct, my fenders were painted off the truck then attached with the welt.

[wayno]

Thanks guys - how did you manage not to chip or mess up the the heads of the bolts during installation? Thanks also for the lead on where to find these bad boys.

[glos55]

Originally Posted by wayno

Thanks guys - how did you manage not to chip or mess up the the heads of the bolts during installation? Thanks also for the lead on where to find these bad boys.

Not sure what you mean, We used new stainless bolts and had three guys to help hang the fenders.

[wayno]

all of my bolts where painted over - stainless and not painting them - guess I wasn't thinking of that route - then I wouldn't have to worry about chipping the paint off the newly painted bolt heads... thanks gloss

[Rich 5150 69]

Originally Posted by wayno

all of my bolts where painted over - stainless and not painting them - guess I wasn't thinking of that route - then I wouldn't have to worry about chipping the paint off the newly painted bolt heads... thanks gloss

Sold by Eastwood tools.

[1enick72]

Is the fender weld factory though on these trucks? I don't remember seeing the black weld sticking out on original trucks. When I took my truck apart there was nothing there other than some hardened caulking type stuff and I'm quite sure I was the first one there since new.

[hardhead]

We used strip caulk and installed with stainless button head bolts after paint. Our truck is yellow and we didn't think the fender welt sticking out would look good.