Due to an unfortunate run in with a trailer by the previous owner of my 1998 K1500 suburban (read 'jackknife'), I have a pretty heavily mashed in rear passenger quarter panel.
Estimates to fix the damage exceed the value of the rig and its not in 'mint' condition anyway so I am not inclined to dump a ton of money into it and don't really much care if I end up leaving it as is...but...looking at tool/gear storage solutions the other day I had an epiphany. What if I cut out the damage and dropped in a custom fabbed pork chop style tool box? It could be great place to store grimey recovery gear or tools that I don't want inside. It'd have a drain and a locking and sealed door that I imagine would hinge along the top.
Not my truck, but a scribble to demonstrate the idea.
Having fabricated a variety of different Aluminum boxes, skidplates, and other do-dads I am confident I can weld up the box. I'd expect to add enough structure to it to allow it to provide at least some support for the remaining panel, riveting/bolting and sealing it in place.
Poking around inside pulling back the interior wheel well paneling it looks like there is a decent sized vacant space under the body skin.
If have enough down time (and beers) I may just go at this thing with a grinder and commit myself to this project.
Does anyone have any experience with the space behind that panel? Any ideas what I may run into?
Pulling the tail light is probably my next step in getting an eyeball back there.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Estimates to fix the damage exceed the value of the rig and its not in 'mint' condition anyway so I am not inclined to dump a ton of money into it and don't really much care if I end up leaving it as is...but...looking at tool/gear storage solutions the other day I had an epiphany. What if I cut out the damage and dropped in a custom fabbed pork chop style tool box? It could be great place to store grimey recovery gear or tools that I don't want inside. It'd have a drain and a locking and sealed door that I imagine would hinge along the top.
Not my truck, but a scribble to demonstrate the idea.
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Having fabricated a variety of different Aluminum boxes, skidplates, and other do-dads I am confident I can weld up the box. I'd expect to add enough structure to it to allow it to provide at least some support for the remaining panel, riveting/bolting and sealing it in place.
Poking around inside pulling back the interior wheel well paneling it looks like there is a decent sized vacant space under the body skin.
If have enough down time (and beers) I may just go at this thing with a grinder and commit myself to this project.
Does anyone have any experience with the space behind that panel? Any ideas what I may run into?
Pulling the tail light is probably my next step in getting an eyeball back there.
Any feedback is appreciated.
