Bedside repair- wheel well

[kkgp81]

On my K30 project one of the bed panels has an odd dent at the wheel well. Let’s say I’m an entry level gamer as far as skills. Do you think I can cut this section out of a similar year bedside and get a good finished product after welding and glass? Other option is new AMD bedside.

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[Ricko1966]

I'd start by trying to fix what I had. A common mistake a lot of people make is not examining how the dent got there and working backwards. Meaning the very last part dented/bent is where you start and work your way back to where the dent was first started. If you can get a nail set/small punch and small hammer on the backside I'd take small bites that way Meaning don't get too aggressive,you'll stretch the metal. Slow and steady last bent working towards first bent.

 

[77Dmax]

That looks like an hour fix from here. That can be fixed easy, get the spot welder/slide hammer kit from harbor freight and have at it

Cutting and welding there will be a huge misyake.

 

[mxer147]

That one will be hard to get at from the back side but if you can use some long rods with angles behind it you might be able to push it out to where you are okay with a little filler. I accessed several dents using long rods through the tail lights. Maybe you can get behind it from the middle stake hole or cut an access hole from the wheel well area. Just take your time and work at it, a slide hammer with some welded wire could work as well.

 

[fast 99]

yes huge mistake to cut and weld. You will chase that dent from one end of the panel to the other. those trucks flex a lot in that area, need to metal finish it as much as possible. Any excessive bondo use will crack out. Not sure thats an hour job possibly 3-4. White will be your friend.

 

[kkgp81]

My neighbor showed up this AM to get a gander at it. He’s frugal and would hate to see me spend $600 on another bedside so we’re going to take it off and see if he can fix it. Worst case- he can’t and I still end up buying another bedside.

 

[bucket]

My neighbor showed up this AM to get a gander at it. He’s frugal and would hate to see me spend $600 on another bedside so we’re going to take it off and see if he can fix it. Worst case- he can’t and I still end up buying another bedside.

For far less than 600, you can buy a stud gun and spend an 1hr with it to get it ready for a skim coat of mud. Then you have a new tool as well. There's no reason at all for that bedside to come off.

 

[Ricko1966]

Wow!!! I got my Uni-Spotter over 20 years ago I believe only 1 company was making them it was over 500.00 then same kit now is only 500 and a cheap one that looks decent is under 200.

 

[ali_c20]

Ask around if there is a good body repair guy in your area that can push it out.

 

[kkgp81]

For far less than 600, you can buy a stud gun and spend an 1hr with it to get it ready for a skim coat of mud. Then you have a new tool as well. There's no reason at all for that bedside to come off.

Just need to go into my tool room and get one off the shelf. Just not sure getting it pulled correctly is in my wheelhouse.

Ask around if there is a good body repair guy in your area that can push it out.

My neighbor does legit body work as he is retired and just goofs around working on random stuff at his house. Going to pull it and drop it with him.

 

[peats]

How about trying a painless dent removal company?

 

[75BEASTK20]

Personally, I'd just take it to a body shop and have them pull the dent(s) and then you finish it off. They have all the right tools to pull a dent easily. Just my 2 cents. Still cheaper than a new bedside.

 

[kkgp81]

Personally, I'd just take it to a body shop and have them pull the dent(s) and then you finish it off. They have all the right tools to pull a dent easily. Just my 2 cents. Still cheaper than a new bedside.

I promise you. Having the body shop deal with this while it’s there for paint is not the cheaper option.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

I got a quote for one dent pull out from the pdr guys and they quoted me $1500... maybe 4x4 I do live in a small town, that's about the only reasoning I've got. But that's a hell no from me lol

 

[Old77]

I got a quote for one dent pull out from the pdr guys and they quoted me $1500... maybe 4x4 I do live in a small town, that's about the only reasoning I've got. But that's a hell no from me lol

That’s a LOT higher than I expected to read lol