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I cannot find patch panels for a short bed, so I got some for a long bed figuring I would trim them down. The ones for the rear are almost a perfect fit. It appears there will be about 1/2" gap as you can see in the photos.
My question is: Should I try to trim the difference from the patch panel? or Is there a way to "shrink" the patch panel? If anyone had done this before and can offer advice, thanks in advance.
Drivers side cancer. Treated.
Drivers side patch
Gap between old and new.
My plan is to keep the radius at the wheel well and trim some towards the rear.
After market panels always need some cutting some massaging into proper fitment , its never easy , and some may never line up perfect and then you have to get creative , I would cut out the old rust an area that your patching, and test fit again but if you cant make it fit as needed you may have to split patch panel in half as last resort and move pieces closer in an have an extra seam to deal with its always different with any patch panel I have used , getting more of the old metal cut out may help with fitment but you will have to trim on the new panel somewhere ,,hopefully there will be more replies with better ideas as I am no expert but have done many an its always a fight for proper fitment
Thanks. It will be at least a few months before we start on the patch panels. We are currently working on floor pans which we have had on hand for about a year.
I try to do as much research on here as I can before we start a phase. There have been a boat load of good tips.
remove the bed from the truck,buy good steel (Tabco) you will get a better job/ sorry i see your working on the floor panels ,tabco and flashback 100 make real good floor panels,and cab mounts,,,there is alot of tiawan steel replacement panels out there,,,,to go threw all that work you cant beat made in the USA panels,you can feel it in your hands
On a dent I believe the extra long box length is all before the axle. I think you're just dealing with poor panel fit.
I would also say poor panel fitment.
Originally Posted by lafermedavid
remove the bed from the truck,buy good steel (Tabco) you will get a better job/ sorry i see your working on the floor panels ,tabco and flashback 100 make real good floor panels,and cab mounts,,,there is alot of tiawan steel replacement panels out there,,,,to go threw all that work you cant beat made in the USA panels,you can feel it in your hands
On my 81 F100 I used Tabco patches and was really happy with the fitment.
I did floors, cab corners, rockers, inner rear door posts and U lip for the weather seal at the bottom between floor & rockers.
Almost forgot the left lower inside & outside of the door.
I would use Tabco again
Dave ----
I had good luck with Tabco replacement parts myself. It's been at least 4 years since I installed them but the fit and thickness of the panels was great. Your always going to have to massage them some, but that's body work 101.
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