Cutting spot welds isn't that much work with the proper spot weld tool. And you can plug weld the new angle piece to the bedside from the outside and finish the welds to be invisible. Again, that's what I'd recommend.

If you decide not to remove the angle strips and replace with new, have your sandblaster concentrate on the gap between bedside and strip both top and bottom. There IS rust under there, and you'll need to get as much as possible out. You might consider using some rust encapsulator produce worked into the gap.


Kevin
1951 Chevy 3100 work truck
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1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car)
Busting rust since the mid-60's
If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.