Small triangular plate in front wheel well, identification?

[fordsucks!]

I have these 6" triangular plates in each front wheel well. One is starting to rust through but I cannot find it in LMC or Brothers catalogs. All help identifying it is appreciated, thank you in advance!

 

[fordsucks!]

Here is a closer picture (passenger side)

 

[cheavyk10]

Those things seem to rust on everyone's trucks. I made some replacements of thin gauge sheetmetal.

 

[fordsucks!]

Is there any reason for it? Looks like the replacement wheel wells don't come with it, is it some kind of brace or support?

 

[bigjimmy82]

I’m interested as well haha, access panel for something?

 

[PJ Walters]

I just tore these off about a month ago. If I remember correctly, it is a brace. If you crawl under the truck and look right behind the inner fender well, you'll see a dust panel between the fender and body. Pull it off (4 bolts) and you can see right up in there. Makes it easy to work on if you have to get your hand up there.

 

[sweetk30]

Helps brace fender / inner fender to cab bolt point .

 

[fordsucks!]

Thanks guys! Anybody ever sourced new ones?

 

[scouthead]

It’s just a giant washer with 3 bolt holes as far as I could tell last time I was playing down there

Pretty sure mine are starting to rust. Always a good idea to trap moisture in areas that the tire sprays with water!

 

[K85 Octane]

If I remember right mine aren’t triangles.
I mean, they might have started out triangle-ish but more like triangle adjacent now.
#40’slivesmatter

 

[Blue85]

IIRC, I've made one out of galvanized sheet metal, tin snips and a drill press. Use rubber mallet and bolts to form in place.

 

[dyeager535]

How are they held in? I did a quick internet search and I found where folks said they are welded in place.

Didn't find any sources in a quick search, many had just replaced the complete inner fenders. Which appears to be a lot more expensive now than when the posts suggesting that were made.

 

[PJ Walters]

It is well worth your time to simply purchase new inner fender wells. I think a pair runs less than $200.00. LMC has them fairly cheap.

 

[Bigb55]

Those are usually spot welded onto the inner wheel wells. They fall out due to the slot welds rusting. They provide support and rigidly to the bolted area.

If the inner wheel well is still in good condition. You can replace with some thin aluminum or sheet metal bent to fit. But they're cheap to replace $50 each side.