I need some openions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chucks1967 · 08-21-2009, 08:57 AM

I have a good bed shell, but the inner panels where the bed floor mounts to is all rusted out and gone, as are the wheel well lip at the bottom.. What are my options. I know about mar-k and there replacement panels and wheel well lips, but I am short of cash as every one is these days. What would you do. I have plenty of sheet metal... should I make my own lip? or should I just bite the bullet and get the replacement panels prefabbed up. the rust doesn't extend very far up the panel. Basically it just rusted out at the 90 deg bend. Opinions would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Bears63 · 08-21-2009, 09:06 AM

If it was me I would try my hand at fabbing something up myself first. If you have plenty of sheet metal, then you have a little room for trial and error. If it doesn't work out then you can rethink your options. Basically, what will it cost you to try and fab up your own pieces? If the cost of time and material is lower than buying panels, then go for it. Besides, it's an opportunity to do something else yourself, to be able to point it out and say "Hey, I fixed that!"

Just my $0.02

jason65 · 08-21-2009, 09:44 AM

If you made your own how would you make square holes for the carage bolts? Just drill out the holes and bolt the carage bolts up to make the holes square?

MacAttack · 08-21-2009, 09:45 AM

^^x2 Gotta' go with Mike on this one - what have you got to lose?

Mac.

padresag · 08-21-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason65

If you made your own how would you make square holes for the carage bolts? Just drill out the holes and bolt the carage bolts up to make the holes square?

just drill the round holes and a jig saw with a metal blade to square it up for one way
ron

chucks1967 · 08-24-2009, 10:40 AM

The hole issue was one that was holding me up.. I was thinking about just drilling the hole a tad bit smaller than the edge on the square carriage bolt, then when I tighten it up it would draw the bold down. I wonder if anyone else has tried this? and how well it would work.. or would it just bend up the lip..

padresag · 08-24-2009, 01:02 PM

there are places that let you demonstrate putting square things in round holes. there is more than likely a sheet metal place around somewhere that can punch them out for you.
how much more work is it really to cut them out?
ron

chucks1967 · 08-24-2009, 10:49 PM

Thanks for all the opinions. I have been looking for a square punch but no luck. There are not many sheet metal shops around here, and the one that are don't do much with anything over 22 gauge. But the jigsaw idea may work.

08-21-2009, 08:57 AM	#1
chucks1967 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: athens alabama Posts: 93	I need some openions I have a good bed shell, but the inner panels where the bed floor mounts to is all rusted out and gone, as are the wheel well lip at the bottom.. What are my options. I know about mar-k and there replacement panels and wheel well lips, but I am short of cash as every one is these days. What would you do. I have plenty of sheet metal... should I make my own lip? or should I just bite the bullet and get the replacement panels prefabbed up. the rust doesn't extend very far up the panel. Basically it just rusted out at the 90 deg bend. Opinions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

08-21-2009, 09:06 AM	#2
Bears63 ...just another truck junkie.. Join Date: May 2009 Location: Watertown, SD Posts: 698	Re: I need some openions If it was me I would try my hand at fabbing something up myself first. If you have plenty of sheet metal, then you have a little room for trial and error. If it doesn't work out then you can rethink your options. Basically, what will it cost you to try and fab up your own pieces? If the cost of time and material is lower than buying panels, then go for it. Besides, it's an opportunity to do something else yourself, to be able to point it out and say "Hey, I fixed that!" Just my $0.02 __________________ Mike "Bear" Shea

08-21-2009, 09:44 AM	#3
jason65 Registerd User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,118	Re: I need some openions If you made your own how would you make square holes for the carage bolts? Just drill out the holes and bolt the carage bolts up to make the holes square?

08-21-2009, 09:45 AM	#4
MacAttack 283 Drama Queen Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Surf City, CA Posts: 2,435	Re: I need some openions ^^x2 Gotta' go with Mike on this one - what have you got to lose? Mac. __________________ For about 12 years of my adult life I had a severe speech impediment. My ex-wife never let me get a word in edgewise.

08-24-2009, 10:40 AM	#6
chucks1967 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: athens alabama Posts: 93	Re: I need some openions The hole issue was one that was holding me up.. I was thinking about just drilling the hole a tad bit smaller than the edge on the square carriage bolt, then when I tighten it up it would draw the bold down. I wonder if anyone else has tried this? and how well it would work.. or would it just bend up the lip..

08-24-2009, 01:02 PM	#7
padresag Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sidney,b.c. Posts: 4,425	Re: I need some openions there are places that let you demonstrate putting square things in round holes. there is more than likely a sheet metal place around somewhere that can punch them out for you. how much more work is it really to cut them out? ron

08-24-2009, 10:49 PM	#8
chucks1967 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: athens alabama Posts: 93	Re: I need some openions Thanks for all the opinions. I have been looking for a square punch but no luck. There are not many sheet metal shops around here, and the one that are don't do much with anything over 22 gauge. But the jigsaw idea may work.



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