Body rust

While my beast is in the shop getting the ball joint fixed, I am thinking of the spots of body rust that I have. There are 2 spots around the drivers door, and both front and back driver's side fenders have some rust. I know a can of bondo would be cheaper, but should I bondo or should I cut them out and put flares on them?

Croneybones said:

While my beast is in the shop getting the ball joint fixed, I am thinking of the spots of body rust that I have. There are 2 spots around the drivers door, and both front and back driver's side fenders have some rust. I know a can of bondo would be cheaper, but should I bondo or should I cut them out and put flares on them?

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bronco gravyard has a nice looking set of flares that im looking at. i like the look mostly but im pretty sure it will come of use to me.

by bondo you mean sheet metal and then filler on top? or just try to fill the holes with bondo? i wouldnt recommend doing that. If your going to take the time to do something about it you mine as well do it right. You can buy patch panels for all the parts your talking about. if both sides are the same as that pic id guess you would be in for $150-$200. Its alright if you dont have a welder. they have really good glue to put body patches together. you just need the glue, a set of flanging pliers and something to cut out your fenders with.

body filler is needed for just about any sheet metal work but you should limit the thickness. If its over an 1/8" thick your pushing. over 1/4" and your really pushing it.

If you put flares on they actually attach to the inner lip of your fender(unless you get cut out flares) in which case you will need some larger tires or it will just look silly. they also add about 2-3" of width to each side so think about that as well.

shift1313 said:

by bondo you mean sheet metal and then filler on top? or just try to fill the holes with bondo?

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I meant doing it right. I plan on getting bigger tires sometime in the near future.

It is just the driver's side.

I am not very skilled at metal working, not for a lack of trying though.

well if your wiling to try you can learn im sure. There are so many books out there which can work you through the correct procedures. the only thing the cutout fenders will do for you will be the wheel wells. you will still have to attack the other problem areas.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fd/full.asp?page=33

#25 is the entire wheel arch and its only $40. I know you can get smaller portions of it to for less money.