rusted rear bed floor

[ecoleman1]

Is there a good way to fill rust holes in rear floor? Behind rear wheel wells is the worst place. smaller holes in other places in the bed. what's the procedure to remove and replace bed floor? thanks for any ideas!

 

[DriveByTrucker]

Years ago I pounded a piece of aluminum to the shape of the ridges and took it to the junk yard. Bought a Dodge tailgate for $30 with the same pattern, cut out the bad and welded in the new. Even had the slope down to nothing in the very back. Now the vendors, some of them, sell patches for the bed. Depending how bad it is, a cheap welder and a donor tailgate could be cheaper route. Bed liner is great for disguising bad welds.
Or, you could strip everything, buy a spot weld cutter and go to town. I just wanted to drive.

 

[deltarat]

As said, the venders sell patch panels. For the rather complex ones, I bought and for the simple with one bend or so, I just made them from 16ga sheet metal and welded in.

 

[sp71eb]

Also if it is the spots behind the wheel wells the areas are not ribbed like the rest of the floor and these parts are easily patched. Those parts are around 20 bucks each or you can just cut and bend your own for way less.

 

[ecoleman1]

Thanks guys, The tailgate is fine, and I can get the panels for behind the wheel wells, but afraid to tackle taking out the whole bed floor for just a few smaller holes. Delta Rat can you PM me at ecoleman1@cableone.net I live a few miles away in Cleveland. Thanks again

 

[NCW]

I took me an hour and a half to make this rectangular hole. About another hour to finish dressing up the attachment points for welding and the new floor will be ready to install - a pretty simple deal if your equipped. Fire Extinguisher (loaded) Grinder (air and electric) air chisel and labor. I did remove the tank just to eliminate any combustible experiences which I would advise regardless of the task. All it takes is a rotten filler hose emitting some vapors along with one spark and the next post from you will be your family signing you off.