Fibrestar

I have a `93 LE I've owned since `98. The winters in Pa are taking it's toll ever since the salt brine has been used. I've got holes in the bottom fender, one rocker panel, door is showing some pop, front part of roof and now my tailgate hinge pins are gone.
Is there a replacement for the hinge on these or a fix? The part I'm talking about is the tube like pin that comes out of the bed box and goes into the gate. I'm getting a little frustrated and trying to keep this truck going is getting to be a PIA. I love this truck and want to do a complete repair and paint to the body and mechanicals (which aren't to bad). Is it worth it?? I feel like I'm wasting time and money sometimes but the new trucks just don't turn me on!!

rebal

once rust sets in you have to cut it out like cancer or it spreads the piece you looking for could be made from a piece of pipe and welded in dought you will find it anywhere

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1990 W250 bought new in Nov. 89 performance built 727 and torque converter , high miler 700 k heavly bombed kelderman air ride

2001 2500 HO 6spd 4x4, Engine brake , smarty mach1.6s fass,SBC 4" turbo back exhaust BHAF fluid damper,ARP head studs, DSS, Fast cools.snow w/m, wife says trucks fast enough:( 335 hp/800 tq)

How many of your rights are you willing to give up before you feel totally safe ?Wake Up People vote EVERYONE OF THE BUMS OUT OF OFFICE!

Trebor

I feel for you because i went down the same road before with many vehicles. The only way to keep a vehicle here in PA is to remove it from use during the salt and snow season which is generally from mid October through mid March.
There a few sources for patch panels but they are generally not much more than a mid term longevity or temporary fix. Roof rust fixing requires replacing the roof as patching only fixes the point of the rust and not the part you can't see between the roof panels. The best thing to do now would be trying to source a nice 3/4 Ton gasser Dodge truck of the same vintage and do a transplant of your parts onto it. Watch out for the body filler queens if you find a local truck. The best remaining trucks are located in the southwest portions of the country, sw Texas, Arizona, and southern California. Avoid trucks from the southern coastal states such as Florida because the salt air penetrates the unpainted cavities in the body and increases the rust rates. In most cases it is cheaper in the long run to locate a good body and transplant your parts onto it instead of spending many many hours of labor / repair in cutting, grinding, patching, filling the defective parts, + adding in the cost of the parts, + paint especially if you have to pay somebody to do it.

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91.5 W250 NV4500 Upgrade, 3-1/2" Exhaust missing muffler, Tweaked Pump, Borgeson Shaft, 3.54's, 3" Rear Brakes, 20 MPG and loving it!
"92" W250 2WD to 4WD Cummins crew cab project now finally in progress
"Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong!"

maybe368

So true, the only way that I have seen an Arizona vehicle rust is when dirt builds up in fenders and rocker panels, usually because the drain holes are plugged up. The dirt can stay moist and cause rust. Otherwise cars just don't rust here ...Mark

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90 W250 LE 4x4, Getrag G360 Replaced the IP and Killed KDP and Cap bolts. Estimated 250 K miles, odometer quit in 2003...fixed, thanks to the great how to's in the sticky. 8000 LB Warn Winch 91 Gal Axillary fuel Tank