Both of my bed panels(once called rear quarter panels?) are rusting around the rear wheel wells. dealer says both panels need replaced @ $1700.00 EACH. truck only has 41,000 miles and is otherwise pristine. blue Book value is $8,500.00. Time to trade, time to fix, or something else ? Call to Ford yielded a polite but firm refusal to help. thanks for any advice and /or sympathy.

 

You got a pic?

 

I have sympathy for you because I live in the rust belt, we know all about rust here but what exactly did you expect Ford to do about it? Sure the truck has low miles but it is also 8 years old, your truck might have rested much of its life but rust never rests. Once it starts it does not stop until there is nothing left for it to corrode. If you like the truck look for a used complete box from a salvage lot and have it painted to match, it will likely be cheaper than having the dealer replace both quarters. May I also suggest shopping around to other body shops, 1700 a quarter sounds pretty high for a panel replacement, it is alot of work but that still seams high.

 

Thank you for the advice to shop around. I had been reluctant to leave the the Ford Dealership. I found a great independent body shop that is fixing everything for $1,100.00. The shop owner has a 1996 F-150. My panic and depression has vanished. I am left with the impression that the Ford Dealer wants to replace parts, but the independent body shop is willing to actually fix the problem. Again, thanks for the advice.

 

Ive got two pinhead sized rust bubbles on the right rear wheel arch on my truck. Barely noticeable and I didnt even know they were there until I waxed the truck 2 weeks ago.

Certainly not worth replacing panels yet.

 

My panals are rock solid but my cab corners are basically gone. I did a quick fix myself just to keep it from spreading but its rusting out again