Fixing rust on a 3rd gen

[promisedland]

Good day everybody, my 04.5 is starting to Bubble behind the doors in The Rocker area and the cab corner. I know this can be fixed but it's not easy. Any thoughts on sourcing a clean body from the south? My bed is junk and I will replace it with an aluminum flatbed someday

 

[Mschuman88]

Hi,

I've never done a 3rd gen, but I replaced all the doors and the truck bed on a 2nd gen. Then I had a friend cut out the rocker rust and weld in new replacement panels. I also did replacement front fenders.

I was lucky enough to find a person originally from Wisconsin who lived in Alabama. He would bring up loads of rust free parts and sell them for very reasonable prices. That's the only thing that made it somewhat economical. Replacing the doors and fenders was a challenging project for me. Don't know if that helps?

Looking online at salvage part prices for doors and panels is sometimes scary!

 

[Wayne M.]

This is a reality that has to be dealt with. A southern cab can be done, but preservation can’t be looked over. I think I’m happy with what I’m seeing with fluid film.

 

[promisedland]

Thanks, hidden rust was likely started when I bought my truck. I will fix it but do not want to deal w/it again.
Fluid film, ect, will be used.
Guess I could build a stainless steel cab...

 

[jgillott]

Check out this company.

http://www.southern-truck.com/dodge.html

 

[Wayne M.]

I’m going to wind up skinning my bed and patching my cab, then killer 10 year urethane paint. I always wanted the silver lower.

 

[jhenderson]

New Hampshire Oil Undercoating has become popular around here. A friend bought a pail and applies it with an airless sprayer. Much less fog and waste when compared to a traditional high pressure system. It seems wick into seams very well. I’m going to do mine this spring.

 

[BillBaker]

I know a guy here in the south (southern Georgia) who sells lots of body parts to guys up north (even Canada). He's got a FB page I think. His name is Jamie Gault I believe. I got a 2nd gen bed, tailgate, and both front fenders (rust free) for $500 from him. Maybe search him out...

 

[BillBaker]

Here's his page...