Considering purchasing a pair of new steel front fenders cut/shape them and weld those in as a patch panel in order to fix the rust around both of the rear wheel well arches. They seem like they would fit if used as a patch panel arch wise. I can't find any information on the measurements / dimensions of the rear quarter panel fender and the front fenders so if anyone knows it would be much appreciated. The guy at one of the shops I went to suggested this as he came out for an estimate.

I attached some pictures to get an idea.

Front Fenders


Front Fender Wheel Well

Front Fender Wheel Well

REAR QUARTER PANEL FENDER


Rear Fender

Rear Fender

SIDE VIEW


Side View

Side View

 

Interesting idea. I wonder if it's possible.

 

Seems as it can work. Here are some more angles....

FRONT






REAR

 

Take a rubbing or some measurements and overlay... Would be nice if this worked

 

what more would I be able to do myself to bring the cost down? sanding / striping the rust & paint away in those areas?

 

Cutting it out and repair with Bondo b

 

In terms of having the patch panel put in. I ordered a pair of steel front fenders brand new for $200

 

I mean, you could pull your rear bumper and cut out all the rust with a grinder

 

QP skins are usually only about $150 apiece, call around to some of your local body shops and get a price on the metal if it's something you feel like tackling yourself. If you can weld, grind, and sand then it's definitely something you can do yourself. Once it's super smooth just take it in for paint.

 

Also check any local pick-n-pull. Usually you need permission to oxy-acetylene body panels off but I've gotten stuff like that for under $100 before. They're mostly just concerned about you starting a fire and will require you to have an extinguisher and sign a liability paper.

 

I just got the pair of front fenders in, I was searching everywhere, I couldn't find a fabricated rear fender patch panel as they do with some vehicles, and most shops wanted me to get if not both quarter panels, atleast the driver side one. I don't have experience with welding, but I've cut metal and used a grinder. How much you think this job will cost if a shop cut, welded, grind, and used the front fenders as the patch panel?

 

Front fender will likely have a different contour but anything can be done for the right price. I would imagine 10 hours per side to have it in a condition that's ready for paint, that's why folks typically sell the chassis and buy another one unless they're doing the work themselves. 10 hr labor x $100/hr = $1000 per side not including paint.

 

Here is how the replacement front fenders look like against the rear.

ALBUM LINK
Album Link (Click Here)

 

Dang that's not far off at all.

 

Just got an estimate $800 each side cutting welding sanding painting