Bed Repair. Inside panels
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Bed Repair. Inside panels
I have a 1993 F150 Flareside, and the metal inner bedsides along the bottom are shot. And the passenger side one is shot along the area where the inner fender rubs on the back side. Could I just take a sheet of metal and cut out the old and weld in the new. Then i was thinking of doing the bed bottom (haven't gotten that stupid bedliner out yet...) in steel diamond plate and building my own cross braces. I haven't been able to find the inner bedsides and I have a feeling when I do there is gonna be sticker shock. TIA
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Your plan for making your own inner bed sides should work fine, especially if you're good at welding/metal fabricating. In looking at the inner bed sides on my 92 Flareside, I see that there is a weld seam about 3.25 inches from the top of the bed side. You'll probably want to break the factory weld there, and then weld in your new panels. The steel diamond-plate floor should work good too, and you should have no problem making your own cross braces, just use the original cross braces as a template.
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I found the following info on Eastwood companys automotive restoration web site:
Before you begin to cut out the damaged panel, be sure to make reference marks and take measurements. This will allow you to use these reference marks and measurements to fit up the replacement panel. Once you have your reference marks and measurements, cut out the damaged panel. Eastwood's pneumatic saber saw, pneumatic cut-off wheel, metal shears, air nibbler, or pneumatic shears work well for cutting out the panel. If you are replacing a full panel, use our spot weld drill bits to drill out the spot welds. Removing the old panel is time consuming and tedious, but to get the best results, you will want to take your time.
I've done some work at an auto body shop, and I'm familiar with the metal shears and air nibbler for removing body panels. Your best bet would probably be to drill out the spot welds, and then use a tool like the metal shears to finish removing the panel.
Before you begin to cut out the damaged panel, be sure to make reference marks and take measurements. This will allow you to use these reference marks and measurements to fit up the replacement panel. Once you have your reference marks and measurements, cut out the damaged panel. Eastwood's pneumatic saber saw, pneumatic cut-off wheel, metal shears, air nibbler, or pneumatic shears work well for cutting out the panel. If you are replacing a full panel, use our spot weld drill bits to drill out the spot welds. Removing the old panel is time consuming and tedious, but to get the best results, you will want to take your time.
I've done some work at an auto body shop, and I'm familiar with the metal shears and air nibbler for removing body panels. Your best bet would probably be to drill out the spot welds, and then use a tool like the metal shears to finish removing the panel.
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