Personally I own an 85 pickup and recently installed some fibreglass bed sides. I had another set of fibre bed sides I did not use advertised and I guy came and actually bought them but when I saw he planned to pop rivet them into his 4 runner I offered to fix it properly using the metal I removed from my bed.

here is some pictures of the process of welding in the chunks of metal bed side to reform his very rusted out rear quarter fender openings.

it can be done if you have the patience

The rough overlay on the drivers side to check the fit

Tucked under to mark the edge of the gaping hole

Tack welding the but welded seam

Almost finished welding

After a little grinding

Started the passenger side

More welding

It was a big patch on this side and I had to splice in a piece of front fender where the gas door was on the bed side

After a little shaping and a quick coat of primer

The finished passenger side

 

pretty good work. metal is not one of my skills.

 

Nice work!

 

Looks great!

 

I don't know what you charged the guy but you earned it. Looks great.

 

Im curious. Did you treat the back side of your welds against rust. Im not a body man but I am a welder.

 

That came out great!

 

Thats a lot of work but it looks fantastic

 

Sorry I have not been active on this forum recently but to answer the questions.

I often use weld though primer which I did use on parts that the back is not exposed after the repair is complete. Almost all of this repair was accessible by some means when it was done. Some from the inner cabin and most from underneath.

The truck went to the body shop after I was done and then the owner was planning to oil spray the inner panels with rust check (only do this AFTER you get it painted!!)

 

Jesus Christ I have been looking ALL OVER for someone in my area to help me with this. Bought the wolf parts rear wheelhouse panels back in June and all the body shops around here are like "nah we don't do that". Are you anywhere near VA/MD/DC?? I will pay!!!