AREAS OF CHEVY / GMC TRUCKS PRONE TO RUST

THE TOP EDGE OF THE FRONT FENDERS, AND THE INNER FENDERS (WHEEL WELLS)

THE ROCKER PANELS UNDER THE DOORS.
CHEVY'S WELL KNOWN FOR THIS ROT. THERE IS A REASON.
POOR DESIGN. :o(
LET ME EXPLAIN. FROM 73-87, CHEVY'S AND GMC'S HAD THE SAME DESIGN. A DESIGN WHICH USED AN INNER ROCKER PANEL. IN EFFECT, "SEALING" THE ROCKER, AND TRAPPING MOISTURE.
1984, AND MAYBE EARLIER MODELS HAD SHIELDS MADE OF PLASTIC. THEY EXTENDED FROM THE REAR LIP OF THE FRONT WHEEL WELLS, TO THE CAB FLOOR SUPPORT. THIS HELPED A LOT, BUT WATER STILL HAD MANY PLACES TO GET IN. I HAVE AN 80 GMC, AND THE ONLY REASON THE BODY IS STILL IN ONE RUST HOLED PIECE, IS BECAUSE IT HAD A RUST PROTECTION TREATMENT FROM DAY ONE. (�ZIEBART). THE ROCKERS NEED REPLACING. IT IS 18 YEARS LATER THOUGH. THEY ARE ORIGINAL. THE LEFT FRONT FENDER HAD A SECTION REPLACED. I REPLACED THE BED LAST YEAR, AFTER IT ROTTED IN HALF. THIS TRUCK SAW SEVERE DUTY IN A ROCK QUARRY IN IT'S FORMER LIFE. 130,000 MILES OF IT. THE BED WAS A COMPLETE WASHBOARD WHEN I BOUGHT IT. OVERLOADED OFTEN IT SEEMS.
AFTER REPLACING THE PASSENGER ROCKER ON MY 77 CHEVY, FOR THE SECOND TIME, I LEARNED. DON'T WELD THE BACKS ON THE ROCKERS .USE FLUID FILM WITH A WAND TO GET INSIDE THE CAB FLOOR SUPPORT, WHERE IT IS WELDED TO THE INNER ROCKER. USE THE SECTION OF INNER ROCKER, WHERE THE CAB MOUNT MEETS IT, SO YOU CAN WELD THEM TOGETHER. CHOP OFF THE ENDS. I USED 2 ONE INCH WIDE SECTIONS TO ADD A LITTLE SUPPORT NEAR THE ENDS.
AFTER DOING A LITTLE WORK UNDER A 93 SILVERADO, AND A 95 DODGE RAM, I SAW A COMMON DESIGN.
NO INNER ROCKERS. A GREY COATING ON THE BACK SIDE, ON BOTH BRANDS OF TRUCKS. BOTH SAW A LOT OF SEVERE DUTY. NO RUST. NO MUD CAKED ON THEM, YET THE FRAMES WERE CAKED ON BOTH TRUCKS. NONE ON THE BODY UNDERSIDES. BOTH TRUCKS VISIT THE CAR WASH OFTEN TOO. PLOW IN THE WINTER TOO. NOT A SPECK OF RUST ON THEIR BODIES ANYWHERE ..........YET.

Replacing Rusted Body Parts