Hi everyone, I'm Travis 26 years old and live in PA.. I currently own a 2002 Dakota Quad Cab 4.7L 127K miles. The truck itself other than minor issues such as ball joints, shocks, rear diff leak and wheel bearings (which I've fixed myself) is mechanically sound.. Due to living in PA the body has took a turn for the damn worst though! I hate it because I know theres a good truck under all that rust! Haha. I'll post a few pictures of the truck, I'd like to get some opinions on my best options for going about the body work. The front fenders seem like atleast one will need replaced due to previous owner damage.. The rust on the bed of the truck I plan on trying to cut out and use 3M body glue to use a piece of steel and patch it.. Then take some bondo over it to smooth it out. I guess honestly I'm trying to figure out if it's worth putting this much time, effort and money into this truck. What do you guys think? If this was your truck what would your plan of attack be?

Older picture.. Before new tires / other work


More bubbles i plan on sanding down


Bubbles etc i plan on sanding down, putting rust reformer on with dondo

Rust i plan to cut out and glue in metal behind.. Then use bondo to smooth itbout for paint

Damage from previous owner..

 

Welcome to DF! Moving this to second gen Dak section for ya.

 

While cosmetically insignificant, that rust patch at the bottom rear of the cab corner will be your biggest issue since that can allow water and critters into the cab.

With that said, what do the 4 body/cab mounts look like? They may be as good as gone.

Fenders and bed can easily be replaced by southern panels or even re-pop's. Although quad-cab beds are harder to find (as are their cab corners).

 

Personally, I'd just check everything was structurally/mechanically sound and drive as is. It probably has a lot of useful life left in it as exactly what it is... a rusty old truck. Enjoy using it as such with zero stress until it won't pass PA inspection anymore. Once it's more than a quick sheetmetal rivet job will take care of to get it back on the road, let it go. Just my 2 cents, but sinking $ into a a truck that rusty is like lighting $$ on fire. If you find after this one is used up you'd really like another in better shape, go buy one, they are not rare (although you may have to travel out of PA to find one rust free). You'll be $ ahead over fixing this one.

Also, this is the perfect truck to learn bodywork on or just mess around trying different techniques. If you're interested that kind of stuff, I'd not consider that $ wasted as long as you aren't under the impression you're "restoring it" for a future long life. It is what it is unless you have really deep pockets.

 

IMO it's too rusty to be worth trying to save. It might end up looking worse and kind of ghetto too. I've went down that road before and quickly turned back.
Unless you really enjoy doing body work, spray the rockers with bed liner and let it go.