Opinion on replacing beside lower front Corners or the entire sides

[J_T]

Hello all, I have some rust at the front bottom near the door jam of the bedsides (both sides). I know there are patch panels for that area... But they also have full bed side? I was thinking spending money on the complete besides if it will save money in the prep department may be more beneficial? I'm not looking for show truck, numbers matching but rust free driver that I'm proud of the way it looks. Once the kids grow up I may look into a nicer restore.

Is the quality of bed sides decent? Is it overkill for just a few rusted areas? I'm on my phone so if I need missed anything I apologize but can fill in details if needed.

[A1971Blazer]

They all tend to rust there...
also the lower section of the B pillar and the brace are likely rusted as well....
good news is...all of those pieces can be sourced, as well as the lower section of the bed side...
there are full sides available....from what I have seen or read...they need a considerable amount of work in order to fit/look right

[68panelman]

I would just cut out whats bad. New steel just doesn't have the same quality as OE

[hemi43]

The time spent repairing the old sides makes it unpractical. If new panels are available, use them. As far as metal quality being inferior, that's not true anymore. Aftermarket panels (depending source) are as good as old panels.

[J_T]

I was looking at Brothers, Auto Metal Direct, Raybuck, Classic heartbeat, and LMC which all appear to use the same pictures so I would guess same supplier and best option is which ever gets it to my door cheapest.

The reason I ask is I can structurally weld so I figured I can weld in seams and do spot welds and perform much of the replacement myself as my welds can be smoothed and many hidden. If I was welding in patch panels that are in the smooth part of the bed sides then they would need some finesse to make them look good before a good coat of paint is applied? Any thoughts? I appreciate the help.

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by J_T

I was looking at Brothers, Auto Metal Direct, Raybuck, Classic heartbeat, and LMC which all appear to use the same pictures so I would guess same supplier and best option is which ever gets it to my door cheapest.

The reason I ask is I can structurally weld so I figured I can weld in seams and do spot welds and perform much of the replacement myself as my welds can be smoothed and many hidden. If I was welding in patch panels that are in the smooth part of the bed sides then they would need some finesse to make them look good before a good coat of paint is applied? Any thoughts? I appreciate the help.

A repaired panel is exactly that, a repair.It will still need filler to smooth it out. If a new side panel cost $2000 then it would be worth your while.

[lks dcvn]

I would imagine there is more rusted away behind that one bedside spot when you dig into it...these things rusted from the inside out in that spot where several pieces of metal came together and held the water, etc.

[68panelman]

^^^that's a guarantee.
All depends on how far the OP wants to go with metal work. Will easily become a can of worms, and major dollars.

[7D2N]

Originally Posted by 68panelman

^^^that's a guarantee.
All depends on how far the OP wants to go with metal work. Will easily become a can of worms, and major dollars.

I will agree with others but you also said you were not looking for a show truck but a solid driver. IMO if you can do the patch clean and to your satisfaction you will save $$$

[J_T]

Thank you all, Great info. It all comes down to budget I guess. i wasn't sure if there was sacrifice on quality by going with Repo parts so better to keep repo to a minimum or having a truck without original metal so the goal to minimize replacement metal?