How to go about repairing sheet metal?

[chicklin]

So, I finally got an M1009 and, of course, there's a bunch of rust. The front inner fender skirts are pretty bad, but they appear to just be a bolt-in deal. The floorboards near the edges are pretty chewed up, as well as near the gun-mounts. The rockers themselves actually look pretty good.

My question is what is the best way to go about repairing this? I'm planning on covering the floor in bedliner when it's done, so it doesn't need to look perfect. Should I buy the replacement patch panels or the cover-up panels (I live right by Classic Parts, LMC and Jim Carter's, which is nice)? Should I just have the body shop guys just bend something up that works since it's going to get covered. What's a reasonable price to have the floors fixed on both sides if I provide them with the patch panels? Thanks!!

Pictures coming tomorrow.....

 

[54reo]

Will you be welding it yourself?

Any weld-in panels that will be installed should be butt welded so as not to have a place for water to gather. The lamination of the panels will invariably gather water, and rust out.

 

[chicklin]

Re: RE: How to go about repairing sheet metal?

Will you be welding it yourself?

Any weld-in panels that will be installed should be butt welded so as not to have a place for water to gather. The lamination of the panels will invariably gather water, and rust out.

No, I'm going to have a body shop in town do it. That makes sense, though. I'll go the replacement route.