K5 rear quarter panel

[MetalMulishaMarcus]

How hard is it to replace the whole thing? I'm not sure how much rust is in the rear quarter panels. I feel like it would just be easier to replace the whole thing. Has anyone else done it?
I'm not looking for show quality or anything, just want something I can stand down, paint and look somewhat decent.

 

[wasted wages]

Probably just as easy as replacing any other welded on panel, rocker, door skin etc...just a lot more work.
grab a few spot weld cutters, lots of vise grips to hold everything in place and work slowly to spot weld everything back in.

with a panel this big, if you keep moving from point to point, I doubt you would overheat and warp it as long as you don't stay concentrated in one area.. I'd cut out a large section first and then drill out the spot welds on the remaining pieces, just so you don't have to deal with removing one huge part all at once.

 

[Chief Brody]

What year? Is that a 1973 -75?

 

[MetalMulishaMarcus]

What year? Is that a 1973 -75?

Actually yeah, my truck is a 74 and I believe those would be the correct quarter panels.

 

[Chief Brody]

Actually yeah, my truck is a 74 and I believe those would be the correct quarter panels.

Start looking in this thread before and after here:

https://ck5.com/forums/threads/ryok...and-bodywork-101.283048/page-135#post-3110685

 

[MetalMulishaMarcus]

Probably just as easy as replacing any other welded on panel, rocker, door skin etc...just a lot more work.
grab a few spot weld cutters, lots of vise grips to hold everything in place and work slowly to spot weld everything back in.

with a panel this big, if you keep moving from point to point, I doubt you would overheat and warp it as long as you don't stay concentrated in one area.. I'd cut out a large section first and then drill out the spot welds on the remaining pieces, just so you don't have to deal with removing one huge part all at once.

I've never replaced any other panels. I think at some point I may need a passenger floor as well.

So you suggest breaking the rear quarter into like 3 sections to make things a little easier?

 

[Chief Brody]

Fitment is the hardest part of replacing a quarter panel on one of these. Getting the old one off isn't super bad, but making the after market ones fit and then getting the B-Pillar and door jamb fitment is a nightmare.

 

[MetalMulishaMarcus]

Start looking in this thread before and after here:

https://ck5.com/forums/threads/ryok...and-bodywork-101.283048/page-135#post-3110685

Just kinda skimmed through for now (most definitely will sit down and read later). This is exactly what I'm talking about doing to mine.
I love this site more and more everyday! Thanks for posting this.

 

[MetalMulishaMarcus]

Fitment is the hardest part of replacing a quarter panel on one of these. Getting the old one off isn't super bad, but making the after market ones fit and then getting the B-Pillar and door jamb fitment is a nightmare.

Where did you get you're quarter panels? What kind of quality were they?

 

[Chief Brody]

Where did you get you're quarter panels? What kind of quality were they?

I got them from LMC, but recently they have been unavailable or out of stock. The metal isn't anywhere close to the thickness of the original OEM panels.

 

[MetalMulishaMarcus]

I got them from LMC, but recently they have been unavailable or out of stock. The metal isn't anywhere close to the thickness of the original OEM panels.

I wonder who has them in stock.
Does anyone even make panels the same thickness as the OEM metal?

 

[Chief Brody]

I wonder who has them in stock.

Nobody as of the last time I looked a few weeks ago

Does anyone even make panels the same thickness as the OEM metal?

NO

 

[Chief Brody]

Post some photos of your quarter panels inside and out

 

[MetalMulishaMarcus]

Post some photos of your quarter panels inside and out

I will get some this weekend and post them up.
There is rust in the usual places like above the rear wheel wells.

 

[wasted wages]

So you suggest breaking the rear quarter into like 3 sections to make things a little easier?

the old one.....not the new one..

 

[MetalMulishaMarcus]

the old one.....not the new one..

Lol I understood that. I wouldnt want to cut up new panels unless I had to.

 

[Cntymnty77]

If it’s just around the wheel wells, replace that section. It’s a lot cheaper and less time consuming. That’s what I’m doing now.

Check out the last few posts to see what you’re in for. It’s not bad.
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/83k5_blazer-more-rust-repair-bedsides.329116/page-13

 

[MetalMulishaMarcus]

If it’s just around the wheel wells, replace that section. It’s a lot cheaper and less time consuming. That’s what I’m doing now.

Check out the last few posts to see what your in for. It’s not bad.
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/83k5_blazer-more-rust-repair-bedsides.329116/page-13

I have a feeling it's more then just the wheel wells. I'm gonna get pictures next time I'm at my truck (my truck is at my parents cause I live in apartments).