Box sides

[jon440x]

Ok i have a 1994 Mazda B3000 4x4, it had those fender flairs on the box sides. The water collected behind them and rotted out the box side.

It’s been in need of repair for a long time but NOW i have to fix it.
Bought some sheet metal and got out the old grinder.

I made a template of the arc of the opening with a sheet of packing paper

When I put the cut out on the tin I made it 1 ½ inches more than the arc., I was going to fold the extra under and make a lip. I made v cuts out of the tin and used a hammer to fold them at a 90 now there is a bulge in the tin and some small cracks where I cut the v’s out.

After looking at it I am thinking that where I made the v cuts I made a week spot and the vibrations of the truck will make the cracks run …..

My question is am I safe with no support ( no tin folded under)

How have other people repaired fenders ?

I want a good rust paint ( I live in Newfoundland, Canada ) if its not raining its snowing. Rust is a killer any suggestions ?

 

[hitech_hick]

You would be time and money ahead to get a new box, although considering your location, that might be easier said than done. I did something similar with my box (about 4 years ago) and it seemed to work out well. Rather than cutting "V"'s into the excess, I cut lines, and after I bent them over, I welded a 1/2 inch wide strip along the tabs. It turned out quite well, and had a factory look to it. I would definitely use some good primer, at minimum use self etching, and seal it up nice with paint. I never got around to finishing mine out (I covered it anyway with bushwacker fender flares), but if I had spent a little more time with the welding and a little body filler, it would have looked like a brand new box, I was definitely able to stop the rust (pay no mind to the surface rust).

hick

 

[jon440x]

Thanks for the reply .........

 

[crbnunit]

I don't have any support on mine and they have given me no problems. It actually helps when I have to "rub" a tree or rock. No lip or support allows the fender to flex and return to it's origional shape insted of retaining a dent.

 

[hitech_hick]

I don't have any support on mine and they have given me no problems. It actually helps when I have to "rub" a tree or rock. No lip or support allows the fender to flex and return to it's origional shape insted of retaining a dent.

Yeah, unfortunately the rest of the box doesn't quite "pop" back like that...



hick