Repair or replace front bed panel and wheelhouses?

[jayoldschool]

My 65 Fleetside is getting new bedwood, and I need to do something about the front bed panel. The panel is decent, but the lip where the wood sits is partially rotted out. Should I just patch it with a piece of bent sheetmetal, or replace the panel?

Same for the wheel tubs. They are solid, except the flanges that sit flat on the wood. Mar-K has repair flanges. Repair, or just swap the whole thing out?

I know there's no "right" answer on these, just looking for opinions, especially from those who've been there, done that.

I've tried to search for threads where someone has repaired one, but haven't had any success using the google search (and our forum search isn't working).

[Rich 5150 69]

Find youself a good sheetmetal fab person, they can cut the old out and weld in new patches, they will look better that just bending up shet metal and screwing in, it would be easy for them sinse you have it apart and not as costly..

[1963c-10]

can buy a new forward bed panel for $90. i say replace it. sand & paint....easier and cheaper than fixing it.
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[jayoldschool]

I should mention that I have access to a sheet metal brake at my school shop (I'm a teacher), and I have a MIG in my home shop.

Where are front panels 90 bucks?

Thoughts on the wheel tubs? Patch flanges, or change complete units?

[Rich 5150 69]

You can fix it quicker than they can ship it...!

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

I should mention that I have access to a sheet metal brake at my school shop (I'm a teacher), and I have a MIG in my home shop.

Where are front panels 90 bucks?

Thoughts on the wheel tubs? Patch flanges, or change complete units?

I see them on ebay all the time ( saw one listed yestreday on there). Classic parts also has them for I think $105 right now. Took 3-4 days to get it once I ordered mine. If you dont' fix it yourself (seems that you have the tools), just do a little price checking. There's almost always somebody running a sale or catch the holiday sales. Including shipping, it was $115 a year ago to order mine to the door. Fit and finish were no issue. Simple bolt in project.