bed panel repair

[PaleFlyer]

My '18 Rebel picked up a dent weekend before last. I may have dropped a log on the side panel while loading some firewood...

Is there a not totally horrible way to remove the "quarter panel", so I can get on the backside and fix the dent properly? Talked to a buddy that used to run a body shop, and he said I likely wouldn't be able to 100% fix it if I just try one of those paintless dent kits. And I have a work truck for my daily now, so I can afford to take the panel off the Ram now, to fix it right. But I want to at least try and fix it myself before I look into paying someone, as it isn't a big enough dent to really make sense to have a pro do. Just want to know my options before I commit. No ram box unfortunately for me.

 

[Dean2]

Take it to a paintless dent repair specialist. If it is a dent with no crease, they can pop that out so you never know it was there for a couple of hundred bucks.

 

[chopperman1]

it's 75-125$ for a PDR guy, well worth it, they do wonders. It's an art in itself that the layman cannot replicate.

 

[GTyankee]

You ask a question that no one could answer without a pix or more

I do know that if the damaged area has spray in bed liner, it almost doubles the labor time

 

[GTyankee]

you could likely get a used complete bed for $2200 delivered

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[tron67j]

My first weekend with my LB 2500, someone put a huge dent into the area between the gas full and the cab. I mean, it was probably 2-3 square feet. I found a top paintless dent removal company after visiting 4 other quality repair shops. While I can still see a bit of a wave if I look just right in certain light, no one else can see it. It took them almost 10 hours, the technician said it was the most difficult one he had ever done, but it was worth the money. As long as you don't have a hard crease, the right shop can do it.

To remove the panel, you have to undo the welds among other work. I haven't done that kind of work in years, but with the weight and unwieldy shape of a bed side, think you could end up with more damage than working it in the truck.

 

[GTyankee]

with the bed off, the area near the gas cap, can be accessed

 

[PaleFlyer]

The ding is probably about 2" long, at the actual damage, so like 3-4" of "distortion".

I suck at taking pictures of glossy body damage clearly.

 

[Dean2]

Interesting but my question is, why isn't it fixed yet. Leaving that depression (First time I called it a Bo$ink but that came up all ***** so for some unknown reason that word isn't allowed) as it is for too long makes it harder for the paintless repair guy to fix so you can't see it.

 

[Scottly]

Paintless dent repair is an artisans skill, not a 'kit" you buy and do yourself. It takes time to perfect that skill. Pay a guy who is good at it...Well worth the money.

 

[Daw14]

Those PDR guys are like maricle workers , I’ve seen them work and they make it look easy . With the sheet metal being so paper like nowadays I would be afraid of doing more damage.