Can this be repaired.....Question for Bodymen?

[1986Silverado]

My question is can my bedside be repaired without a patch panel or new/used bed side? Can it be done by pulling? I cannot seem to find a bed side panel in good condition. Thanks

[screwballl]

of course it can be fixed... to get the large one out reach into the wheel well and pop the large one out. might need the rivet style or popweld to get closer to the body line out. that should be an easy fix

[Eyegore]

I have the same type of dent in mine at the exact same location, bought it that way. I believe you can also remove the tailight assembly and pop it out there also, or a rivet puller like screwvall suggested. But what's going on just above the fender trim - rust?
My son replaced the whole side panel on his, aftermarket panel, pretty flimsy, he wished he had replaced the bed. The after market panel cost $300 I believe and the dealer wanted $1200 for original.

[jermasaurus]

Check this out, that is, if you ever considered going with fiberglass.
http://www.advantagefiberglass.net/

[1986Silverado]

Originally Posted by Eyegore

I have the same type of dent in mine at the exact same location, bought it that way. I believe you can also remove the tailight assembly and pop it out there also, or a rivet puller like screwvall suggested. But what's going on just above the fender trim - rust?
My son replaced the whole side panel on his, aftermarket panel, pretty flimsy, he wished he had replaced the bed. The after market panel cost $300 I believe and the dealer wanted $1200 for original.

Yeah it's rust but just surface rust. How can I access the back thru the wheel well? I will try the pulling the light out this weekend to see if I can get it that way.

[1986Silverado]

Originally Posted by jermasaurus

Check this out, that is, if you ever considered going with fiberglass.
http://www.advantagefiberglass.net/

Good price, but I wonder if that is a bolt on bed side or just an outer skin? Also wonder how it would hold up!

[Eyegore]

If all else fails you can get a typical dent puller - sliding type, drill a few holes and pull it out while gently hammering down just above the body seem. The lower part of the dent should come out with just a little effort. Then you would only have to fill with bondo the holes or have them welded shut.

[1986Silverado]

Think I am going to buy one of those spot welders dent pullers to do it, that way I do not have to drill holes. What do you guys think of this kit on ebay?http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...544450018&rd=1
Also what do you guys think of the above fiberglass bed side?

[Eyegore]

Personally I'm not a fan of fiberglass, not saying there's anything wrong w/ it but just my preference. And what if you want to use your truck later on to carry something, not saying that it wouldn't work, but I'm a metal kinda guy. On the spot welder puller you can check out harbor freight, I know, I know before everyone starts bagging on me, but if your just going to use it for that one spot you don't need to drop a lot of $$$$. You also may want to check an equipment rental, sometimes they have body working tools. Just a few ideas. But when you decide to pull it out take pictures of what your doing so we can watch.

[Bill W]

I would bet a suction-cup type dent puller will pull out the large area to where it could not be detected. They are usually about $2.50 at any autoparts stores. Get it wet to help with suction then stick it on pull with a sudden motion. It will come out. That won't fix the top of the dent where the metal is creased but your idea of the stud welder to pull out the remainder will work great.

Bill

[ureckme]

I'm a body man the first thing I would try is my suction cup. I have one that you an A/C vacume pump up to it. Than use a come a long from cup to a pole and pull with a little pressure. than with a pry tool carefully pry on the back side thru the tail light opening. As it comes out tap down on the pressure ridge above the body line. Be carefull not to couse more damage than is all ready there. And dont pry it out to far. Matt

[7T7]

That's a fairly easy area to get to from the bottom.
Just from your picture I see (as Matt just stated) the crease on the bodyline is causing most of the dent below.
Once you release the stress on that bodyline crease, the area below should be easy to bring back to shape.
If you have a Harbor Frieght in your town, pick up one of their stud guns. Last time I was at my local Harbor Frieght they were running about $100
They work just fine for an average hobbyist.
Also their hammer and Dolly sets are very good for the beginner. (Very complete kits)
But if you have a buddy that can hold a dolly up on that crease from the back side, you can just bump (hammer) that little crease right out.
Remember lots of little bumps work much better than a few good whacks.
I think that's a damn good learning dent there. Be brave! YOU CAN DO IT!
What's the worst that could happen?

[Russell]

Mine had a very similar dent. I just got under the truck reached up and pushed. The dent popped right out. Where the paint had broken off (went past the plastic point of the sheet metal) I had to do some slight hammering to get it straight. Then used a very thin layer of bondo to smooth things out and it looked good as new!

[1986Silverado]

Originally Posted by Bill W

I would bet a suction-cup type dent puller will pull out the large area to where it could not be detected. They are usually about $2.50 at any autoparts stores. Get it wet to help with suction then stick it on pull with a sudden motion. It will come out. That won't fix the top of the dent where the metal is creased but your idea of the stud welder to pull out the remainder will work great.

Bill

Have one....didn't work. Ureckme, wish I had your suction cup puller! Some one tell me how to access this from below there is a panel I thought. A picture of an access hole would be nice, if not I am going to pull the light tomorrow if time permits. Or should I work the crease out first? Thanks guys, very good info!

[piecesparts]

Lay under the truck and reach up from the bottom, I will bet you can rub your hand over the spot that the dent is in. If you can reach it you can push it out. The next thought would be to make a small hole on the inside bed panel and then push it out from there. The idea of taking the teallight out may work, but the room is limited there. You may have to make some tools to push the metal out with. That is what the "Paintless" dent removal body guys use The sharp dent ot the break line on the bedside will be your worst enemy. That will take some work. I would take it to a body shop to have them spotweld pins on and then pull it out with a dent puller. Drilling the holes in the body for screws will allow for tearing of the metal and there is no need for that. The least amount of cutting and drilling that you do is better for the longivity of the work. You will not need fibreglass, if you take your time and work the dent out slowly. Fibreglass is a way to HIDE mistakes or make a big hole disappear. After you get the dent out to a small dent or close then look for a small amount of body filler (putty) to smooth the roughness out. I learned by doing this type of repai myself, long ago. Take your time and it will reward you with a good looking job and not a rough patch that you wish you had never started in the first place. GO to a junk yard and look at an old bedside and see what you have to deal with before you bang on your own.

[1986Silverado]

Took the light out yesterday and the room is limited there. And the big part would not just push out. Also got under the truck and there is no way to access the outer panel from below. There is an inner panel and the bed floor is all the way to it. So the access some of you guys have had to the outside panel must have been on an older truck.

[the baron]

the best way to push out that dent is to dismantle the right rear light fixture , and you get full access to it...