Denis
New member
Hi, I need to do some body work on my rear quarter panels and was wondering what gauge of sheet metal should I use. Thank You
Body Work
- Thread starter Denis
- Start date
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I've used 16 or 18 gauge for body panel repairs.
Broncobill78
New member
Well, there's not much to add to a short concise answer like that 
/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> Only thing I can think of is that depending on *where* the rust/damage is you might want to consider just getting a patch panel. It'll be the same guage and will already have the correct contours. I don't know HOW many hours I've wasted trying to match a curve or some sort of body-line using sheetmetal. Most patch panels run $20-$30, $$$ well spent in my book.
/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> Only thing I can think of is that depending on *where* the rust/damage is you might want to consider just getting a patch panel. It'll be the same guage and will already have the correct contours. I don't know HOW many hours I've wasted trying to match a curve or some sort of body-line using sheetmetal. Most patch panels run $20-$30, $$$ well spent in my book.
The factory rear quarter panels are spotwelded to the tub/ body, but I would consider using one of the new adhesives like 3M's.
It's a PITA to drill out all the spot welds and cut the old panel out.
Broncobill78
New member
They're spot-welded in place during assembly and the *only* way to remove them is to either dril out each weld or take an air-chisel/body saw/cut-off wheel to it & trust me, drilling out the welds is the least destructive. Generally speaking they need to be welded back on, as JSM said the newer adhesives ARE an alternative but to be honest if you're not familiar with bodywork I'd give that route some thought. Quarter panels are the Bane of Bronco owners. Pickup guys can just look around for another bed or build a stake-body but you don't have that option with a Bronco. If the rust isn't *too* severe you can consider a patch panel, those are considerably less $$$ to install or can even be pop-riveted into place if cosmetics aren't an issue.
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The quarters arent rusted, my truck had that bullsh*t chrome trim on it. the trim got beat up off road (trees ) plus it holds mud and water in it to rust the fenders faster. Well i pulled them off there were all these holes in the truck and there too big for bondo and i dont have welder, so i was gonna replace the fenders and quarters.
) plus it holds mud and water in it to rust the fenders faster. Well i pulled them off there were all these holes in the truck and there too big for bondo and i dont have welder, so i was gonna replace the fenders and quarters.
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