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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: DanMcG on July 13, 2014, 08:19:58 am

Title: Fleetside inner rear wheel house
Post by: DanMcG on July 13, 2014, 08:19:58 am

I was thinking of replacing one on my truck and was wondering if it can be removed/installed without major surgery? I can cut the welds and unbolt it but will it come out?

Title: Re: Fleetside inner rear wheel house
Post by: HAULIN IT on July 13, 2014, 01:28:15 pm

Are you talking this part? If so, there are no welds...just a bunch of 5/16" bolts & cut the seam sealer & you will be able to push it down right out the bottom.
(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t285/HAULINIT/RearWheelhouseLH.jpg) (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/HAULINIT/media/RearWheelhouseLH.jpg.html)
If you are referring to this part:  http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/graphics/00000001/0850-315.jpg (http://www.rustrepair.com/PICS/73-CHEVY-PICKUP-REAR-WHEELHOUSE-507380R.jpg)  between the outer bedside & the inner bedside that is welded in, yes it will come out & it is welded to both the inner & outer bedside. You'll need to take the wheel "tub" out of the way first & once drilled out...the bottom can be tilted inward & then rolled forward some & it will come out.
Hope This Helps, Lorne

Title: Re: Fleetside inner rear wheel house
Post by: DanMcG on July 13, 2014, 03:45:16 pm

Thanks Lorne, I'm talking about the second pic.
 I only need the last 6"-8" at the rear of the wheelwell, so might be a lot easier to find a donor and piece it in.

Title: Re: Fleetside inner rear wheel house
Post by: HAULIN IT on July 13, 2014, 11:23:59 pm

Dan, Those replacement ones are only around $40. They may not be imposable to find in your area, but they are one of the first areas to go so my thinking is...either someone is going to have at least somewhat rusty ones or a real nice bed that they shouldn't be cut out of.
They are actually Two pieces welded together if you look closely (assuming there is much left of them) you should see a seam in the basic area you are describing...maybe you could separate the Two there? Lorne 

Title: Re: Fleetside inner rear wheel house
Post by: jaredts on July 14, 2014, 03:35:32 pm

Those same parts were rusted out on my truck, well the bottom half anyway.  On one side I cut and bent pieces to patch it, but that was a lot of work.  When I got to the other side I ordered the replacement part that Lorne linked.  Once I got to it, I really didn't feel like taking anything extra apart so I spliced (butt welded) the bottom half in.

Title: Re: Fleetside inner rear wheel house
Post by: DustyRusty on July 16, 2014, 06:53:16 pm

I have the same problem as Dan.  I think this is a very common rust-prone area.

Quote from: jaredts on July 14, 2014, 03:35:32 pm

When I got to the other side I ordered the replacement part that Lorne linked.  Once I got to it, I really didn't feel like taking anything extra apart so I spliced (butt welded) the bottom half in.

 

Jared:  By any chance, did you take any photos of how you repaired the second side?

Thanks.

Rusty