I see more and more early 3rd gen trucks in the northern states showing bad rust on the bed, about 1" or so above the wheel well.

Just thought I would post this as information. I have to guess crap is collecting up there and rusting from the back. You may want to take some time, check it out and toss some undercoating or paint in there.

 

You aren't the first person I've heard this from, I was at the parts store here in town last summer and a guy came in with a year later than mine(2005, 3/4t) and spoke of it, walked outside and sure enough, reminds me of the old toyota days when the inner wheel wells weren't spot welded enough. I had mine undercoated before I picked it up new, and hearing and seeing this, I'm glad I did. I drive 42 miles to work each day, and in the winter over heavily salted roads, northern Indiana to Kzoo, MI.

Guys at the dealership thought I was nuts for doing it, but I insisted it get done, now I'm glad I did Hmmmmm---think I'll have that touched up, has been addressed in a while

Thanks for posting!!

 

I also see a lot of the early 3rd gens with it rusting like crazy around the rear wheels. Luckily mine which is an 04 has no rust around the rear wheels, just at the very bottom-back of my doors. I will be pissed when that rust shows up at the rear wheels.

 

i got bubbles forming over my rear wheels, gonna get it fix this summer
I read that they rust because there is foam that collects moister and it rusts from the back out by the time you see it the warranty has ended (5 year rust warranty)

 

I had my box sides replaced under warranty for this issue. Best to pull the tail lights out then you can see ontop of the wheel wells. I could not get a photo but it was full of rust.

This is what's under the bubbles.

 

Not just a northern thing, my 04 which i've had since new is bubbling over the wells. Dealer was willing to fix it becuase i was just out of the rust warranty by 2-3 months and Chrysler said sorry about your luck.

 

I think this seems to be an issue with many pickups not only dodge. Most pickups I see don't have any wheel wells in the rear leaving what I see in most trucks to be just primered metal open to the spray from the wheels.

Both 3rd gens we have had wheel well liners put in directly after purchase and I used good rust stopping paint and sprayed quite a bit of the underside. I was leery of undercoat when I bought it because I have seen vehicles where stuff that gets under the clearcoat causes rust from underneath it down the road.

 

my 04 has driver side cab corner and wheel wells in the back and alittle on driver rocker. box wheel well they don't foam high enough inside of panel, and the moisture sits on top, hence the rust. cab corner was caused by leaking body seam on top, that little gasket black gasket that meets the door on top. Dealer wouldn't touch it till perforation. so a little pick and a few months fixed that problem. got it fixed just before the 7 year warranty was up.