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Wheel Well/Bed Rust???

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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 11:48 AM
  #1  
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Wheel Well/Bed Rust???

I have a 2003 F-350 7.3 Power Stroke and the rear passenger side wheel well is all rusted/rotted out. The driver side is just starting to bubble.

When I was looking for 2001-2003s recently I noticed that most of them up here in the Northeast are like that.

Is there any recall from Ford?

Anyone have this repaired before at a body shop and give me an idea how much?

Trying to decide if I want to try and fix it myself or not.


Thanks
 
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 11:52 AM
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a thought maybe you could cut it out put another wheel well or....cut it out and put some nice size fender flares on and then put some big tires on
 
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 01:44 PM
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That was one of my ideas..re Fender Flares, but I think I would rather have it fixed and stock looking.
 
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 01:55 PM
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only reason id say fender flares is bc your gonna have to paint the bedside and wherever else you have to paint plus blend the paint
 
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 02:04 PM
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I have it on my 05 and in the spring am having a local body shop cut that section out, weld in a new one and be good to go for $597.
 
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 02:46 PM
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I have it on my '02, also.

I'm deciding what to do about it. I noticed that the aftermarket body panel distributors (such as LMC) recently started to carry these wheel arch repair panels .... must be a problem area.
 
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 02:57 PM
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Well I would sand it down where I can for now and put on some rustoleum over a few days. Putting on about 10 coats should work fairly well just because it isn't really made for wear like a car would put on it.
 
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 03:04 PM
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just a thought use some rust kill after sanding it then see how bad it is if you can just patch it you may save some dough...i just like fender flares thats why i recommended it first...you could also get some rust bullet or whatever it is I think they are a sponsor
 
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 04:07 PM
  #9  
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Thanks for the info guys....I have done some quick repairs/rust prevention already.....

I guess I will check with Ford Dealer down the street and see how much they will charge me and then I can go from there...

I was hoping there was some sort of recall or something...no such luck I guess.
 
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by ironmine
I have it on my '02, also.

I'm deciding what to do about it. I noticed that the aftermarket body panel distributors (such as LMC) recently started to carry these wheel arch repair panels .... must be a problem area.
Thanks for the tip...I found this in their Cat


LMC Truck Parts - Page 99

Looks like $100 a side...I should be able to repair my driver side, but the pass side is too far gone and I will need one of these panels...
 
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 05:33 PM
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another thought you could rhino line it after you get it fixed so you dont have to paint and blend
 
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 06:03 PM
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I have the same issue, almost identical to you. Does anyone have pictures of a truck with rhinoliner?
 
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 06:09 PM
  #13  
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someone does here im sure they will chime in pretty soon
 
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 08:30 PM
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Has anyone fixed this rust spot with Rhino Liner or the like?
 
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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 10:13 PM
  #15  
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My 01 did the exact same thing. Started with a few bubbles, 20k later the arches were completely rotted out. Took it to body shops, somewhere in the neighborhood of 1000...red paint is expensive. Ended up completely replacing the bed for 1200, lucked out with colors. Word of advice if youre going to fix it, the cavity between the outside of the bed and the inside of the wheel well is filled with fiberglass...which naturally attracts moisture, so make sure you address the issue before fixing it so you dont end up going down this road later on. Also take a look at bottoms of doors, chances are theyre starting to go underneath the weatherseal. I called Ford but they wouldnt do anything about the rust, maybe if enough of us complain they will
 
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