Inner bed tub install

[jdougla9]

So I might have gotten in a little over my head but I am redoing the rear suspension in my truck, the stock leaves were not enough to handle the current engine. I am swapping the leaves to the tci kit and plan on running caltracs in the rear. In order to set the rear ride height low enough I have to cut the inner bed out and install tubs. I found the 67-72 Chevy truck bed tubs to look awesome but I wanted some ideas on how to attach them. Thank you guys I love this forum and all the cool trucks on it!

[mongocanfly]

what yr truck?...fleet or step side?....

[MiraclePieCo]

I used trailer fenders, so my experience may differ. I welded them all around the perimeter, then used seam sealer to finish them off smoothly. I see lots of guys just bolt theirs in however, maybe a gasket or line of silicone to prevent leak-through?

[jdougla9]

It’s a 1952 stepside, I am doing a mono leaf rear suspension setup with caltracs bars and wanted to install the inner fenders to allow me to set the rear of the truck down

[svr]

I used trailer fenders and bolted them in on the underside, seal them with bed liner on the bottom side when i spray the inner fenders, I don't have pics on this machine.

[mongocanfly]

I'm going to use mid 60s fleetside inners.....gonna be welded...

[Speedbumpauto]

I'd be pretty reluctant to weld on that large of a flat panel. Mine's a 55 but used the same inner tubs. They bolt in very nicely. Used a small amount of seam sealer on the flanges. The bolts are hidden by the outer fender. I sectioned (narrowed) mine 3 inches so they weren't so wide and didn't extend inside the frame rail.

[jdougla9]

That looks great! I agree and was hesitant to weld on such a large thin area of sheetmetal... Plus I like the idea of being able to remove them if need arises.

[mr48chev]

I'm thinking that they bolt in on the trucks they came on for the most part. At least they do on the trucks with wood beds. You might slip over to the 67/72 section and look at the build threads to see if some have had the bed all apart and how they put it back together.

Should have read down though Speedbumpauto's post first. He showed exactly to the letter what I was thinking.

A lot of guys do get a single trailer fender and split it down the middle and add a filler panel on the inside and weld it to the side but as mentioned that is a big chance for warpage.

[_Ogre]

i cut the bedside out with a jigsaw and welded the cutout back with a 10ga strip spacer
it works and it's cheap.

ogre like cheap

[svr]

A couple pics of mine

[svr]

Another