What to do? Saddle tank doors.

[fisherman56]

I am thinking, that I will not be using my saddle tanks at all.(on my '67 lwb) It is preferable to remove the tank doors and patch over them to get a clean smooth bed side right? Or would I be wiser to just take the sides off and save them with the tanks and get good used or brand new sides? I realize with used or new sides the cost would be great, just wondering? I know 6 of one and half a dozen of another. And speaking of patches has there ever or is there a company that makes a patch for these doors? Seems as if most of these are a standard size. If not there is an idea for some one crafty! (although there aren't millions and millions of these to replace)

[Grumpy old man]

take them off and fill the holes , are the hooks staying ?

[fisherman56]

No, gonna take em off. I believe there was a camper on my C20 for many years, would explain the low miles and the very nice bed.

[Grumpy old man]

looks pretty solid !

[hugger6933]

If you have the ability to fill the holes the most dollar wise way to go. Try to use some weld through primer and also get some coating on the back side as you can still access that part no farther up the side than it is. One thing I have learned on these trucks even on the cleanest beds and doors when you crack one open you will be horrified to what is on the inside of the panels. That is why even on the 3 or 4 bedsides that I have in high build primer that I will be taking the inside and outside skins apart to do some rust prevention. That is really not a task that I would advise a person without a extensive repair background to tackle, it is a pretty big job.

[fisherman56]

It is Grumpy! It is California truck that was brought to Ohio here 8yrs ago and stored in a garage till I got it. Never titled or driven here at all. 52,000 miles.

[fisherman56]

Thanks hugger. Good info.