72 Bedside Repair & General Rust Advice

[ItWillBeSlow]

Hello everyone,

72 long bed in average southeast condition, truck has been in the family since new. I have owned for several years and am contemplating really digging into the truck and doing an average-joe restoration. The overall goal would be to have a decent cruiser and also save a family heirloom. Truck has been repainted once and has another topcoat of primer. I know it needs cab corners, rockers, and some floorpan/kick panel repair based on what I can already see, I haven't sanded everything down to fully assess the condition.

Starting with the passenger bed side, we clearly need a big wheel arch patch on one side. Also have a decent patch of pinholes in the side behind the rear wheel. Two large dents have a large float of bondo on the back near the lights. Best guess is other side is equivalent at the moment. The bed floor has some general rust along the floor supports an I would replace the floor with new if starting this project.

Is this a repairable bedside? I prefer not to buy everything as replacement. I have not done auto body /metal work before but have access and funds for a welder and tools to do the job, and generally have the aptitude to learn these things myself.

Looking for general advice, starting with the bed, about whether this type of metal rot is a major or minor concern. I've already done some poor mans resto work, including POR15 the frame, cleaning up the engine, new inner fenders, etc.