The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Patch panel question

Does anybody know if or where a patch panel can be found for the pocket holes on the bed sides? Mine were welded shut by the PO in an attempt at smoothing the bed sides. I want the pockets open and was thinking that given all the beat up pocket holes I've seen, there might be an easier way. :confused:

Any suggestions? I tried cutting the back ones out with mixed results. I don't want to spend a ton on new bed sides unless that's the only remaining option.

Thanks!

What year is your truck? There are several suppliers that provide the bed pocket as a patch panel. American Classic Truck Parts has one listed for 54 and up bed sides for around $50. To remove these you will need to drill out the spot welds holding the pockets to the bed sides. If the pockets are not too bad of shape you can always just patch up the rotted area instead of replacing the whole shebang.

Oops, I was tired last night. The truck is a 53. I'm looking to repair the top (angled surface) of the bed sides around the hole for the pocket. My pockets themselves are ok, just the top surface where the post goes in. I looked at a number of vendors, nothing found.

I've seen a laot of trucks that have had rips in the topside around the pocket, so I thought there might be a commercial fix. I guess not...

Thanks for the reply.

I have seen the whole bedside available but if it is just the area around the pocket that needs to be replaced it is not too difficult to splice in some fresh metal and grind smooth. Good luck.

Check out www.mar-k.com . I think they have bed pockets.

Oops, I didn't read your second post. I am not aware of any patch panels for the bed rail. mar-k does do bedsides but they are not cheap. You may try contacting them as I believe they do their own fabrication.