I noticed some surface rust forming on the bottom of my doors and at the back of the cab behind the supercab door. I would like to get this fixed, hopefully, and wonder what everyones opinion is on using a dealer bodyshop vs. private?

 

I can't think of any reason for having it done at a dealership instead of an independent body shop. There's a good chance the dealership would be more expensive as well.

 

This is my only concern with the dealership.

 

I wouldn't take to a dealer. My personal experience on Cargo Van I had, that my back door hinge has failed and would open all the way till hits body panel. Under warranty dealer replaced hinge, got it repainted along panel and door, but 4 month later (500 miles out of warranty) hinge paint started to chip (new one) then week later hinge failed again. Dealer agreed to do the same procedure, but this time he won't be providing rental for a week that he needs to make repairs.

Couple shops that I got to know personaly would warranty their work for at least 3-5 years and now started to provide rentals at WAY better rate than dealer, and also they don't have such big cash, I mean personal flow as dealers.

 

I believe the rust on the bottom of the door area would be more likely rust forming where water traps on the seam from the inside out. If so, the only sure fire repair is replacement of the doors.

 

It is all regional, some places the dealer is the best body shop, some others there is a private place that is the best. Some places the dealer doesn't even have a shop they just farm it out to a private place. You'll need to do some local research to know who is the best or who does the work good enough for you to handle.

 

I thought of this but hopefully that's not the case. It seems surface but I know it can rust through.

 

I use a bodyshop. In most cases that's what's going to do the work anyway. Just bypass the middle man.

 

I agree with the above post and think it is the best advice.

 

I agree but even bodyshops have bodymen that quality of work differs. Some smaller bodyshops go through bodymen and painters almost as fast as customers. Probably have to find some history on whichever ones you are considering and just make sure they have a good warranty. Rust repair is not going to be a serious repair as frame and structure would be. If a dealership has a bodyshop it will probably have a separate entrance or separate building otherwise

 

a small independent is the way to go they take more pride in there work here in iowa