Hey all,

I am going to be restoring my new truck through the winter and spring, and every body panel is either perfect or new, except the box. The box is a southern box, and is mint condition all around with the exception of the wheel arches. The rest is beautifully shaped, no dents, no rust, and all rubberized.
Replacing the box is not in my price range, especially since it is a short box.

I have considered welding in patch panels, but its nearly impossible to make them disappear completely, especially since I am not a pro body worker. It will also be high gloss black when Im done, so it will show anything and everything thats not perfect.

My question is, would the bushwacker fender flares cover this rust? I would cut out all the bad metal, and I can weld in metal so that the flares would have something to attach to, but I dont know if they go high enough to cover the void. I attached a pic so you can hopefully see how high it goes. Sorry its not a direct shot, I can post another if its not good enough... couldnt get the cats to leave their spot for the pic...

I think the flares would look good with the 33's and it has a 4" lift, just want some opinions. I have new doors and fenders sitting in the shop, so thats not an issue...

Thanks!

 

lol. didn't notice the cats till you mentioned them.

i wouldn't get fender flares if i didn't have to. in my opinion they look pretty ugly. i think the best thing to do if repair it properly. it don't look like the rust in the box is too bad yet.

 

If you cover the rust up you are not restoring the truck. If you want to keep the truck for a long time the only solution is to replace the box or repair it. If you are trying to sell the truck and want to screw someone else in the process, go ahead and do the flares

 

If I were you, I'd repair it, and then if its ugly, put flares on it.

Actually, I was you at one point, and the repairs didn't turn out bad. Body work just takes a ton of patience.

 

Thanks for the tips... I think either way I will repair it, I do want to do it right... Ill see how it turns out. Im pretty good at body work, but this is just such an obvious location unfortunately.

 

I am toying with the same dilemma with my Chev. It's a 1974 and has been stuck on a ranch since it was sold new. As a result, the guy NEVER washed it once, not ONCE. So the rear lips on the fenders look exactly like yours. Since I do like the way bushwackers look on the old chevs and even some Dodges, I might do flares on this truck. I will never sell it since it is a 74 and as a result, I can put any motor in it I want since it never has to be smogged again. It is a 4x2 as well so flares on the back only with the super wide tyres that are on it will actually help it.

 

I would skip the fender flairs unless you really have to. I have seen quite a few jobs where the body work wasnt perfect, so the owner ran a 2nd tone using bed liner along the contours of the wheel arches, and along the lower body line in the doors. It can come out looking pretty good.
It looks like there is also a little rust on the lower front fenders. I am not aware of a patch panel for that piece, but fortunatly, there isnt much shape to that portion of the fender. I would take a piece of sheet metal, that is roughly the same gauge and shape it myself. Either that, or source a different fender. Might be easier to do that. Looks like she is a good 'ole truck though. Please keep us posted on your progress. I love to see these trucks brought back to life.

 

I know this isnt a great photoshop, but I was messing around with possible color schemes for my repaint. Anyway, the lower white is what I have seen some people do with bed liner, and it can come out looking pretty good if you can make nice sharp lines. It can also mask imperfections quite well.http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8584311a.png

 

Im for sure going to be welding in new wheel arches, I have the patch panels ready to go in. Every other body panel on the truck is being replaced with new ones... including fenders, so Im not worried about the rust that is there. I also ordered a gallon of black base (for painting). Im going with GM color "Phantom" which is a metallic black... its going to look awesome. I will keep you posted with progress!

 

I actually like the way the flares look on the 1st gen Dodge 4x4s. I can take or leave them on Chevys and Fords.