Blanco
New member
Driver's side rear quarter panel question - RUST!!
I have a serious rust problem with the lower part of the rear quarter panel under the driver's side bumper end piece. The whole area has completely rotted away and I can poke my finger right through it and pull bits of it off easily like a flaky pastry. I was pretty pissed to find this because really, this and underneath the driver's side wheel well trim is the ONLY area on the truck's body that has any rust, the rest is super minty!
I'm wondering what the rectangular plastic vent is that sits in there? Am I correct in thinking that its the air release for when you shut the tailgate?
This is the vent I'm referring to below. (Note: borrowed this photo from Yotatech, not my truck)
Pretty much the whole area painted black in the photo above has rotted away on my rig. I thought I'd take the end bumper piece off to get a better look but snapped the first bolt off (even with generous amounts of PB) so I will return to this later, anyway as you can see below, it's totally fallen out of the rusted panel at this point.
I'm assuming that the rubber hose hanging next to it is a sunroof drain outlet, yes?
I was thinking of cutting the whole rusted area out, cleaning what's left, rustproofing it, painting it then cover it with the bumper end piece. Anyway, if this repair looks like it's too much, I may have to bite the bullet and see what my neighborhood body shop can do for me here.
This area just gets whacked with salt every year and this truck is about to see it's 13th winter! Anyone else in the snow (rust) belt have this problem?
Your ideas and comments always greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
I have a serious rust problem with the lower part of the rear quarter panel under the driver's side bumper end piece. The whole area has completely rotted away and I can poke my finger right through it and pull bits of it off easily like a flaky pastry. I was pretty pissed to find this because really, this and underneath the driver's side wheel well trim is the ONLY area on the truck's body that has any rust, the rest is super minty!
I'm wondering what the rectangular plastic vent is that sits in there? Am I correct in thinking that its the air release for when you shut the tailgate?
This is the vent I'm referring to below. (Note: borrowed this photo from Yotatech, not my truck)
Pretty much the whole area painted black in the photo above has rotted away on my rig. I thought I'd take the end bumper piece off to get a better look but snapped the first bolt off (even with generous amounts of PB) so I will return to this later, anyway as you can see below, it's totally fallen out of the rusted panel at this point.
I'm assuming that the rubber hose hanging next to it is a sunroof drain outlet, yes?
I was thinking of cutting the whole rusted area out, cleaning what's left, rustproofing it, painting it then cover it with the bumper end piece. Anyway, if this repair looks like it's too much, I may have to bite the bullet and see what my neighborhood body shop can do for me here.
This area just gets whacked with salt every year and this truck is about to see it's 13th winter! Anyone else in the snow (rust) belt have this problem?
Your ideas and comments always greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
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