Cab fender patch?

[The Grim Taho]

Hey so this is my first time on the forum, have a bit of a problem stopping my 1984 restoration and couldn't find any help, so I'm hoping I can get some here.

So the thing is, my fenders are rusted and falling apart just near the bumper, on the passenger and drivers side and I want to find a patch I could just cut out and weld in to make it solid. However I've looked all over, LMC Truck, National Parts Depot, even eBay . I just need a small piece of metal, enough so I can get rid of the rust. LMC has a patch like I'm looking for, but it's not for my year truck and I don't want to take a gamble with it. The part number is 38-7650 for reference.

Does anyone know where I could get a patch like this, or is a full fender my only option? If a full fender is the only solution, then would fiberglass bodyfill fix my problem? Thanks in advance!

 

[Camar068]

I don't think fiberglass is going to cut it in that location. You'll be doing it again in a few years again.

Please correct me if I'm wrong guys. Just going on past experience with my dads 67 camaro and the scoop he had glassed to the stock hood, fender flares and rear spoiler.

 

[Georgeb]

That LMC part may be close enough to allow you to cut out a piece that will work. I have found that metal is rather thin tho. Another option I would try myself would be to hammer out a patch piece but that requires a bit of skill. Fiber hair filler could do the job for you provided the truck won't see much salt exposure. weather you patch ot fill it will still be important to get some rust preventer in on the back side of the repair when you are done. You should be able to find a replacement fendr rather easily too. I would look for a good original before I went with aftermarket. I will say I did have a pair of LMC outer fenders on a truck here in wisconsin and exposed to salt for several years and they held up ok. Just pant them inside and out with some good paint.

 

[CSFJ]

Filler will just rust through again. What's the reluctance with replacing the entire fender? By the time you get done with the cutting, welding, and finishing, you're probably going to be into it for more than a whole replacement will cost. Been there, done that.

 

[Georgeb]

Filler will just rust through again. What's the reluctance with replacing the entire fender? By the time you get done with the cutting, welding, and finishing, you're probably going to be into it for more than a whole replacement will cost. Been there, done that.

A very good point! $75-$100 bucks and done!

 

[The Grim Taho]

Filler will just rust through again. What's the reluctance with replacing the entire fender? By the time you get done with the cutting, welding, and finishing, you're probably going to be into it for more than a whole replacement will cost. Been there, done that.

Yeah, I do understand that if I replace the whole fender it will be a lot better overall, but I just don't have the money. I'm a dual enrolled high school senior and don't have work, so I'm really trying to cut my costs, as this will be my daily driver before winter rolls around. Doesn't have to be beautiful, just trying to get rid of most of the rust.

I was thinking though, could I just cut out the rust, roughly shape a patch on the inside of the fender then bondo over the space between the patch and the rest of the fender?

Also really appreciate the quick responses guys.

 

[Geektrucker]

Personally, I'd wire wheel the hell out it, rust stop on the inside, tiger hair the hole and sand it smooth. A little body filler to finish smoothing then sand that. Rattle can over the top of it all and the inside. It won't be perfect, but it'll buy you a year or more until you can buy a whole fender.

Yeah, I'm from Maine and a little redneck..but I've gotten good at "hiding" rust for a little while

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[Camar068]

Yeah, I'm from Maine and a little redneck..

gotta be south maine to be a redneck....south side of sumtn anyway lol

 

[Georgeb]

gotta be south maine to be a redneck....south side of sumtn anyway lol

Seems the south side of almost any state. Like sourhern Wisconsin..... But then again in northern Wisconsin their all redneck so nobody notices like they notice us in the southern half.

 

[CSFJ]

I guess it's up to you which way is right for the time. If it's a case of just getting through a year or so, then the most cost effective way would be to grind it down and glass or bondo it. I went through kinda the same thing when I redid a jeep some years back. Thought I could save money by making my own patch panels. It turned out ok, but by the time I was done I'd spent far more than I would have if I'd just replaced the tub.