How to permanently fill stake holes/pockets??

[fixizin]

I've got a flush-fit (Gemtop GT Classic) decklid, and it came with color-matched stake hole covers, so that the bed would be weather-tight. Now, 9 years later, I'm seeing signs of RUST on these pop-in puppies... hopefully the "cancer" hasn't spread to the bed itself... need to examine.

Anyway, I'm 110% sure I'm never going to put wooden stakes in those holes, and run chicken wire between them, and then haul around shrubbery and illegal immigrants, lol.

So how would you fill these in PERMANENTLY? I've seen mention of WELDING...? If I wanted to use Bondo, would I use some kind of wood or wire "bed" to pile the Bondo on top of?

Thanks in advance...

 

[Mark_88]

Fiberglass as a base then smooth it off with bondo is probably your cheapest bet...but depending on where the rust is you may want to remove the channel box and do a bit of prep work where it is...can't remember ever seeing a Ranger rust out in that area...mostly the fenders and behind the rear wheels panel...so it might be an easy fix

 

[scoob8000]

Is the rust coming from water/salt getting in around those plugs? If thats the case, maybe just keep them in there but seal them up with some type of epoxy of fiberglass resin?

 

[James Denton]

The best way to fix it is cut some squares of metal put it in the ones and weld it in.Gind it off smooth,it you do a good job you want need any bondo,that the way I fix mine.