Just wondering if anyone has done anything different as far as the inner wheel arch when putting patch panels on? Just like the rest of the box around the left rear, the inner wheel arch is pretty much rusted gone..and no wonder these trucks rust, the way that connects to the wheel opening arch on the outer panel, salt and all kinds of crap that ever gets in there just sits in the seam between the inner arch and the outer panel...anyone ever construct anything else that works well?

 

I put in a patch panel on the one side and just left the inner the way it was. It's probably a 10" x 2" rusted hole but I found it was easier to get a hose in there to clean it all out, plus salt can't collect there anymore.

Another stupid design is right behind the tire at the back of the box it's the same deal, there's a support that collects all the salt flung up from the tire.

 

If you don't put the inner arch back in and welded to the outer skin, the bed side will flop around won't it? It add a lot of support it seems.

 

If its rusted off all the way around I'd get some small chunks of steel and weld it on in a few places. Mine was still connected on the bottoms.

 

That's what I was thinking of doing, some strips or small diameter rod or something that salt and crap can't get trapped behind. Just want sure if that would work....don't see any reason it wouldn't though.