The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop rear fender l shaped piece

Just wondering what the "L" shaped piece of metal is for- on the inside of rear fenders. Approx. in front of wheels? About 6x6 inches in size. Near the inside edge. I'm guessing just support for the sheet metal. My parts book doesn't show any brace up there. Or could it have something to do with the running board? Anybody? Also, mine are not in that great of shape so should I grind em off and replace with some like shaped pcs. of steel?

What year truck? There's nothing like that in my '59 stepside except for the step supports.
Darren

If it's the leading edge(front)of the rear fender on an AD,it's a sheet metal support where the running board bolts through the fender.
AKA rust trap!

It's one of the few areas that was a bit crusty on my rear fenders.
There was some perforation through to the actual outer metal too.
I repaired the outer metal and remade mine and had them spot welded on.

Thats it John, a rust trap. But seriously that's just a stiffener for that area and should be spot welded to the fender not loose. When you sandwich two pieces of metal together it really makes a stiff structure and with that maintains the curve at that point and also keeps the panel from bending when it is bolted up.
DG

OK thanks. Yeah, it's on my '52 3100. The rest of the rear fenders are in very good shape, it's just these "fender stiffeners" are beginning to rust. I'll grind em off and replace with some new metal. I'll just shape em the same-nobody will ever know the difference. Guess buying that Lincoln 180C was a good move after all. The only thing wrong with the rest of the bed is a couple of the weld spots that hold the angle strips in the inside corners of the bed have rusted through. The angle strips are fine, it's just the weld spots. The heat from welding probably made the surrounding metal a little thin or weak. Heck, I'm overjoyed with the condition of this entire body. That's why I jumped on the $5500 asking price for the truck. It's making the body work a breeze- well all most!!!!