Here is a picture of my truck, I am currently restoring it. Now see on the bed how there are many dents? Those are from a split rim blowing up on us in the snow wayyyyyy long ago, my grandfather did that. Now I was wondering if they are fixable or not? Or would it be possible to get a new fender/side of bed? The gas tank on that side is out also since the split rim busted it. But there are two more so I am not worrying about that.

P.S. Is it possible to buy another hood latch? Mine bent and now it is impossible to fix.

 

Erik,
It is possible to fix this. It is going to be alot of work.
You will need a slide hammer and alot of time.
That can be pulled out and then filled.
If you have a five pound sledge you may be able to pop some of it out form the inside. If you can't swing a hammer, use a board to reach the dent and then hammer on the board. Don't be afraid to dent the hell out of it just to get it back out. Your ultimate goal is to get it as close as possible and then fill it. That means leaving it low. I like duraglass instead of bondo. If you actually repair it you will have learned alot about body repair in the process.
Secondly, all the steel is available. Check the online store. You'll have to cut and weld in the new piece. MIG welder would work best for that. I would recommend that from the picture I saw.
Good Luck,
KingFisher

 

if you gata replace the gas tank, I would take the bed off, pound out the dent with a heavy hammer and dent puller (slide hammer) get it back to normal as much as possible and then fill it with your favorite body filler. I am doing my first body work on my truck (removeing the chrome) and its easy. But if you have a welder and air tools (body saw) handy I would just replace the entire pannel, if you want to do it the hard but right way(no bondo). good luck with that.

 

Thanks alot guys, I appreciate the info. I already did the slide hammer thing. But the bottom is so flimsy that it doesn't really work well. I think there is supposed to be a support member there but who knows. I might try the new panel. I will post some more recent pics so you can tell me what you think.

 

What part would that be? Are there multiple parts?

 

You can get another hood latch at any junkyard.

 

One thing to remember when pulling dents is
"Last in, first out".
Don't just go for the biggest dent first. Sometimes if you think it through some of the big ones will naturally straighten after you get some of the smaller ones.
Just my 2¢
Greg

 

All,
Last post is true. Always work from the edge of a dent towards the deep area. The deep area will be mostly pulled out by the time you get there.
Secondly, I've found that a SAWSALL is an invaluable body tool. They aren't cheap but they are good for all sorts of jobs. I've even done some tree trimming with it. I did my floor pans in record time.
Consider it,
KingFisher

 

Greg is absolutely right, if you bang out the biggest dents first, you will usually stretch the metal and create an even bigger problem than you have now. With big 'cave ins' I have had good luck with the suction type dent pullers. Then take the smallest hammer you can effectively work with and begin on the outside and work toward the center of the dents.

If I had to fix it, I would take the bed off and flip it. It will be a little extra work to begin with, but for an amateur like me, it would make getting to everything a lot easier.

Good Luck