Who’s got two thumbs and rusty quarters???

[Ib8mud]

Being inherently trustworthy to a fault and making beginner mistakes; what I had thought what a rust free Texas truck turned out to be not so much.

After finding wet carpet I’ve gone on the hunt and found a rust hole in the driver’s floor (conveniently located right next to the drain plug) the size of a half dollar, both rear quarters behind the wheel wells, and the rocker in front of the rear driver’s side tire.

Since this LC is my daily driver, I’m frugal, and I don’t care what a hidden panel will look like I’d like to make these repairs myself. Although I quit drinking about 18 months ago, I still find myself to be overly confident in my abilities. One of which is welding.

I have no issue with a tools/prep list. The only thing I need to source are stamped replacement panels and I can’t find any on the interwebs. Any and all suggestions are accepted, some more than others.

Thank you all in advance.

 

[Ib8mud]

Got the bumper off. Pics from the outside.

 

[Ib8mud]

Seems to be the extent of the damage.

 

[Comet]

I’m right on your heels for those repairs. I have bubbles where they ought not be. My plan is planishing hammers and sheet metal formed to the relative shape of the hole. Don’t forget to check where the seatbelt bolts through the wheel well in the back wells.

 

[Ib8mud]

I’m right on your heels for those repairs. I have bubbles where they ought not be. My plan is planishing hammers and sheet metal formed to the relative shape of the hole. Don’t forget to check where the seatbelt bolts through the wheel well in the back wells.

View attachment 4132873

View attachment 4132874

Let me know how that goes. I’m going to post updates here I suppose.

 

[ppc]

Rust is like an iceberg, only 10% is visible. That is going to be a big repair. The one picture shows a small hole inside the wheel well That is where the seatbelt mounts, not something you put a little patch over.

The only place you are going to find replacement pieces is going to be at the junkyard.

 

[Ib8mud]

Rust is like an iceberg, only 10% is visible. That is going to be a big repair. The one picture shows a small hole inside the wheel well That is where the seatbelt mounts, not something you put a little patch over.

The only place you are going to find replacement pieces is going to be at the junkyard.

Guess I get to try on that fabrication hat lol. Doesn’t have to be pretty in my situation, just effectively functional.

 

[SNLC]

Rust is like an iceberg, only 10% is visible. That is going to be a big repair. The one picture shows a small hole inside the wheel well That is where the seatbelt mounts, not something you put a little patch over.

The only place you are going to find replacement pieces is going to be at the junkyard.

Not true.

Some body parts like rockers are still available from Toyota.

Cheers

 

[Rusty Cruiser]

if not clear, those are my two thumbs, haha

 

[Ib8mud]

if not clear, those are my two thumbs, haha

Welcome to the club.

 

[76lcmike]

texas? looks like it vacationed in salt city illinois.....

 

[Ib8mud]

texas? looks like it vacationed in salt city illinois.....

PO purchased out of Missouri. Found that out late.

 

[jfz80]

Great reminder to those that remove their running boards to run the fasteners back into their respective holes. After flooding the rocker with cavity wax/fluid film/etc.

Or if PO removed them it’s worth taking the time to plug those possible points of entry. Granted water drains into the rockers but not so much mud allowed by the inner rocker mounting points.

Passengers side junkyard cut I have available for same purpose

 

[Ib8mud]

Great reminder to those that remove their running boards to run the fasteners back into their respective holes. After flooding the rocker with cavity wax/fluid film/etc.

Or if PO removed them it’s worth taking the time to plug those possible points of entry. Granted water drains into the rockers but not so much mud allowed by the inner rocker mounting points.

Passengers side junkyard cut I have available for same purpose

View attachment 4135711

I’ve got one for the drivers side that came with the truck (another nice surprise). I’m tempted to cut out the rockers completely and weld in some square tubing as rock sliders.

 

[12bit]

I chopped off the rear quarters on mine just below the edge of the bumper tupperware and welded in some flat sheet metal. My welds aren't pretty, but they are behind the bumper and the cancer is gone from that area.

 

[Ib8mud]

I chopped off the rear quarters on mine just below the edge of the bumper tupperware and welded in some flat sheet metal. My welds aren't pretty, but they are behind the bumper and the cancer is gone from that area.

I think I’m going to go that route. Once I figure out what my near future has in store for me.

 

[Saito]

I’ve got one for the drivers side that came with the truck (another nice surprise). I’m tempted to cut out the rockers completely and weld in some square tubing as rock sliders.

 

[tedwardd]

Thread 'Rocker Panel Replacement'

May 11, 2026

Hey all, I'm starting to poke around and locate all the really bad rust on the body that needs to be addressed and making a mental priority list of what needs to be tackled and before what. There were a couple of rust spots on the body that I knew about going in to the project:

• Rear, under bumper cover is mostly gone from rot on the passenger side.
• Wheel well on passenger side has severe rot on the back, lower third.
• Both rocker panels have holes rotted in them. The driver's side is far worse off but both have at least one hole large enough to fit my hand in

As I've been...

• tedwardd
• Replies: 10
• Forum: 80-Series Tech

 

[Ib8mud]

I chopped off the rear quarters on mine just below the edge of the bumper tupperware and welded in some flat sheet metal. My welds aren't pretty, but they are behind the bumper and the cancer is gone from that area.

You got pictures? I’m curious as to how it came out.