I am doing a frame off restoration of my father's 49 Mercury pickup. The front portion of both right and left rear fenders is badly rusted were the running boards bolt on to the fender. Does anyone know where I can obtain patches for this application? I have already tried Dennis Carpenter and Classic Haulers with negative results. Push comes to shove I can repair but a patch with new metal is preferrable.

GHammond- 49 Merc

 

Welcome to FTE.
For whatever reason patch panels are not readily available for the rear fenders even though it is a common rust area. Plan on doing these yourself. It will save you time and the frustration of searching. A local body shop could do it but the labor rate is more than the cost of a decent welder in many cases. Get some 16 gauge sheetmetal and try it.
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Welcome GHammond. Nice to have another Mercury owner on the site. I'm working on a 1949 M-47. Should be done in 2013 if all goes as planned.
Greg M-47

 

As Carolina 52 said, I did my own. Just trimmed out the cancer with a cutoff wheel in and angle grinder, made a paper template, and cut it out of some 16ga scrap. I used the deluxe bending method of forming it over my thigh until I had the shape I needed then welded it in.

I had never done any body work before this truck. They are very forgiving since the metal is much thicker than newer vehicles.

 

EMS carries them. I've never bought from them but I have heard no matter where you buy them from you will need to massage them to make them fit:



LOWER REAR FRONT FENDER SECTION

Northern Classic Trucks has some other sheet metal parts including complete front bottoms for the '48-50 truck:

Northern Classic Trucks - Reproduction parts for your antique Ford truck .

 

I don't buy patch panels, I make them. These fenders most would have considered junk but I had a lot of fun cutting out the rot and welding in new metal. On the patch you need make sure you make the inner piece for support.

 

You might want to call them and make sure they are still stocking those pieces. EMS has almost quit making patch panels for our trucks, and I worry that they'll completely quit selling them when their stock is depleted. This page shows some deleted pictures of previously offered patches for the front upper fenders. I called them once and talked to somebody pretty high up in fabrication. I asked if we gave them a big enough order, would they consider making more. He politely said no.

1948-52 Pickup

 

Northern Classic used to make complete flatbeds for all sizes but stopped making them about ten years ago. Just cost too much to make and not enough demand.

 

Here is a pretty good article on making your own repairs, from Custom Classic Trucks magazine:

Lower Fender Panel Repair - Custom Classic Trucks Magazine

 

I concur...It's only metal...make them

Here's some cab mounts I just made in about an hour or so.

 

Welcome, lets see some pictures! I have a 49 Merc M47 so I like to see others! For me finding patch panels for the front fenders around the park lamps would be a welcome find.

 

Do a little internet research on hammer forming and make your own perfect repair panels, you will be surprised how simple it is. John

 

Yeah 56f1hundred, that area around the front fender light on the mercs seems to trap a lot of dirt and rust. I found a spare front light one time on a rotten southern ontario truck. I looked in the gapping hole where the light would have been and found it hanging by the wire. Turned out to be a light in decent shape. Good spare. I'd buy a light patch panel 0r two if they were available for my spares stash.
Greg -47

 

LMC Truck has them.

 

Think that the LMC offerings are only for the 53-56 style. They do have cab corners for the 48-52.

DW