Are there any double-wall panels?

[SUX2BU99]

Are any of the body panels double-walled on these trucks? I have an 85 Silvey shorty and the paint has bubbled in the past few months behind the 1 rear tire. The backside seems fine so I'm suprised it did this. Paint is 6 years old. I would worry about moisture getting in between the panels if there were any double-walled ones. Thanks.

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Yes, the bedsides are double walled.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[SUX2BU99]

Bugger. Is that why I see some bubbles on the front side but not the back? So if I buy some replacement lower rear 1/4's how does that work? Are the bedsides double-walled down there to?

Oh, how about at the top of the wheelwell? Any ideas on rust prevention for up there?

Thanks  

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Yes, that is why.  These trucks are notorious for getting stuff trapped under that lip.  I typically spray water up when I was the truck to keep dirt/debris out.  If it is a 4x4 or saw mud use, it was probably full of mud.

The bedsides are pretty much double walled to about the lower section.  If you look under there you can see it.

Top of the rear wheelwell? As in the bed where it meets the side of the inner bed?

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[SUX2BU99]

So it's water that gets splashed up and such into the cavity that causes rust? Not really water coming down? Any benefit to trying to seal the two panels together?

I mean at the top of wheelwell on the outside of the bedside. I've seen some trucks rotted out right there, right where the opening flares out a little.

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Not so much the water as much as mud/dirt getting up there and sitting erroding the paint.  It is mainly caused by not cleaning the area out.  Same goes for under the cowl.  The natural drain holds leaf particals really well and will eat the metal over time.  You don't want to try and seal the panels, you will never get them sealed and it will create more problems than solved.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[SUX2BU99]

Fair enough. The cowl area concerns me too. It's solid for now but what's the best way to get up there to clean/check?

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I always pull the cowl covering off and blow air down in both sides to push what I can out of there and then I turn the hose on high and spray the cowl down.  This typically washes it out and removes debris.  If there is crud in there, I wash it out paying particular attention to the seal at the front that is prone to rusting.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[SUX2BU99]

Thanks. I just made a new post asking about the cowl area since I went in there yesterday to have a look.

For the rear lower ¼’s, if I buy some replacement sections like the ones you offer for sale, how do those get put on in respect to the double-wall of the bedside? Isn’t the whole lower ¼ section cut off and then this one welded on? If so, the inner bedside wall would then be missing, no? Or is the body guy supposed to cut only the outside wall away? That would seem pretty difficult since the two walls are so close together.  I’m just trying to picture what would happen when it gets put on. I plan to POR15 the new sections (and cab corners) when I get them replaced.  

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The whole bedside isn't double walled.  There is an inner and outer portion only from the bed floor up.  Patches made to the bottom of the bed will just get cut out and welded back in.  The area above the fender lip will be the same.  The inner wall isn't directly behind it, there is some space there.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[SUX2BU99]

Ohhh okay, so just from the bed floor up is double-wall. Alright.  Well now I'm a bit puzzled why my paint is bubbling down at the bottom of the rear 1/4, just behind the wheel opening. It feels solid from behind yet the paint is bubbling from in front.

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Can you show me a pic of what you are talking about?  you can send it to webmaster at 73-87chevytrucks.com

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[SUX2BU99]

Sent.

I figured out what I was looking at. The inner wheelwell and the bedside create a pocket that is perfect for crap to get up into and start corrosion on the bedside near the bottom of the wheel opening. Anyway, I took pics and sent them to you.

Thanks!

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Got the pics and send a reply but i thought I would respond here also.

Here is the main pic of the rust:


The pocket is from the brace support on the rear fender.  There is no replacement for that, but the outer part would be cut/seperated and a new piece welded in.  Based on what I saw, I would probably grind it down and see how bad the rust was.  If it is just pinhole it could be welded back up and sanded smooth.  What does it look like behind the brace?

Have you had your bodyman look at this?

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[SUX2BU99]

If the brace is welded on and not removable, I'm not sure how I would see what's behind there    Nope, haven't had a body guy look at it yet. I just figured I'd get it cut out and replaced.