Advice On Fender Rust

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Jun 13, 2014 | 08:12 AM

#16

The other Joe

Tuned

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 344

Likes: 8

From: Kennedy, NY 14747

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel_Brad

Long bed sides are still available thru ford but short beds are not(have to go aftermarket)

Brad, do you have a price on the Ford factory bed sides?

The aftermarket around around 350 I think.

I just used aftermarket patch panels to repair my 94 f150 shortbed. They were about 50 bucks. The wheel well was a decent fit.

Joe W

Jun 13, 2014 | 08:20 AM

#17

The other Joe

Tuned

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 344

Likes: 8

From: Kennedy, NY 14747

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger T. Pipe

Recently my '96 250 has started to show some bubbling of rust on the driver's side fender-directly behind the front wheel. From what I've seen around here (CT-we use TONS of salt here) this is fairly typical. Would you suggest pulling the fender and cutting out/patching the rusty area or to buy a new repro fender. I'm NOT a fan of repro anything, and I'd really prefer to fix the Ford factory part. Is this feasable? Would the rust be prone to come back? Thanks for any advice!
Roger

Hi,

I have the same thing on 1 of my trucks. I am going to repair mine.

The key is to remove all the old metal. It has to be completely cut out. The rust will extend long past what you can see on the out side.

The problem with fixing it correctly is the cost. I enjoy cutting and welding and have the equipment and experience.

If you are paying me to do it. Then you might be better off buying a factory fender. I'm not sure what the cost is. I could fix those for 150 -200 primed and sealed.

Aftermarket fenders can be had for about 100. But the fit can be questionable.

Good luck

Joe W

Jun 13, 2014 | 09:09 AM

#18

Phil Woolfson

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 223

Likes: 3

From: Baltimore MD

I put a repro front left on and it took quite an effort to fit it. In the end it came out fine, but I could not characterize the process as slapping it on.

Jun 13, 2014 | 09:17 AM

#19

Diesel_Brad

Fleet Owner

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 21,437

Likes: 76

From: Gilbert, PA

NEW Ford fenders LIST for $350(driver) and $324(passenger).

But no one pays LIST. I get 25% off list.

Aftermarkets can be had for $85 each

Now for bedsides..
FORD ones
Drivers 8' with dual tanks LISTS for $1000
Passengers LISTS for $1361

AFTERMARKET
Driver dual tank $487
passenger I don't see a listing for but I am sure they are available

There is not a chance in hell I would go "fixing" a rusty fender when NEW FORD ones can be had for under $300

Jun 13, 2014 | 01:14 PM

#20

cbakker

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 811

Likes: 1

From: West Central Southern MN

I have rusty fenders and wheel wells also. I haven't arrived at the financial destination to start my body work yet, but I bought a clean box out of texas for $800, and I was planning on buying some repro's for the front, and media blasting, and coating the crap out of them.

This is a link I saved from a year or so ago, when I started looking into replacements:

1997 Ford F-250 Body Parts - Fenders & Components

I'd probably rather go with ford though, knowing now that the repro's may not fit well.

Jun 13, 2014 | 03:34 PM

#21

The other Joe

Tuned

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 344

Likes: 8

From: Kennedy, NY 14747

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel_Brad

Thanks for the prices.

As far as fixing a rusty fender. IMO, depends on the rust.

But in the case of minor rust like in the photo. I fix mine. It costs me next to nothing. Other than labor.
I trust my work. And I usually end up redesigning and fixing the problem that cause the rust in the first place.

Ford designers did everything they could to catch water and dirt and made sure it would never dry out.

The 3 worse places on our obs trucks are.

Over the rear wheels.

The rockers, where the floor drops of has a one inch Channel that catches and hold everything. Especially in 4x4's that play in the mud.

Lower front fenders. The bracket at the bottom inside holds everything.

There are also brackets in the rear lower quarters that trap everything.
All bad designs.

Joe W

Jun 13, 2014 | 06:52 PM

#22

Diesel_Brad

Fleet Owner

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 21,437

Likes: 76

From: Gilbert, PA

Unless you get water or mud in the cab, there is no way for that channel to rust out.

And you forgot the radiator support, that is the FIRST thing to go. even on a 2wd truck that see no harsh weather

Jun 13, 2014 | 07:36 PM

#23

The other Joe

Tuned

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 344

Likes: 8

From: Kennedy, NY 14747

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel_Brad

You can also fill those channels when the floor mat or carpet has a hole in it.

I just fixed my 94 from down south. The driver side channel was packed. And the pass side was about 1/3 full. Not sure how much time it was off road. I did a major chassis cleaning and applied Fluid Film on everything. And didn't find mud packed into all the nooks and crannies like on my off road trucks.

I did forget the radiator support. Thanks.

Joe W.