Hey guys,
Every one seems to be saying that aftermarket bedsides are weak and rust out easy. I want to know what you guys think of this. 1) Is it possible to bolt on the aftermarket bedsides? 2) I was thinking that i could put fiberglass on the back of the bedsides prior to installing them. I thought that this might give them extra strength and also prevent them from rusting. I only use my truck as a daily driver and for mawing yards about twice a week so its not like its going to have to take a beating. What do yall think?
Thanks Guys
David

 

Here's what I would do.
Take off the old bed side. You will have to grind the spot welds off, to get the old one off. The inner wheel arch will need to be removed. This is where the bed side and the wheel well are welded together. That area holds a lot of crap and dirt. Thats why our trucks rust there. Get rid of the inner steel wheel well.
If you look at the bottom of your bed, you will see steel rods bolted to the bed side and to the inner bed. Fabricate a couple of rods, to use in your wheel opening. This will make the wheel arch stiff and give it strength. Then fabricate some plastic wheel arch liners and fasten them to the rods. No more crud getting stuck up in there.
Install new bed side. I would use panel adhesive and screws.
Do a search on this forum for panel adhesive. It was discussed in length about a month ago.
Apply panel adhesive where you would normally weld. Then clamp the new bed side on to the truck. While the adhesive is still wet, screw off the bed side where there would be welds. You can use s-12 screws. These are metal stud screws used to make walls in commercial applications. Available at home depot.
If the panel adhesive is not to your liking. You could use windshield urethane. Available at your local auto paint supply.
It comes in a standard size caulk tube. All you need is a caulk gun.
Before applying bed side. I would undercoat the heck out of it.
Don't under coat where you will be applying adhesive.
zanny