inner bed fenders

[ZGjethro]

My truck was owned by a fire dept before I had it. The fire dept installed some large pump and tank in the bed, and butchered the inside fenders getting that gear in there. I recently bought a set of inner fenders from a seller in my state, and he is having a hell of a time getting the fenders separated from the bed sides. He says there are a bunch of spot welds holding them in place and I'd be better off buying the bed sides complete with the fenders. I don't want to do that as I have no plans to paint the truck exterior. I will be using a roll on bed liner inside the bed to make everything uniform (same color). I looked on my truck, and I cannot see any welds on the inner fender/outer fender,bed side connections. I was hoping for a simple bolt in installation since I see maybe six bolts bolting the inside fender to the exterior fender, and nine or ten bolts going through the floor. Are these welds on all trucks and just hidden by the paint?

[W_A_Watson_II]

Inner fenders are welded to the bed sides.

[m-11]

Yep, mine were tack welded in a couple areas. I had to cut the welds in order to separate them.

[Gerry]

Im repairing mine now. It would be a lot of work to drill out all the welds. If they cant be seen you can pry the flap on the underside and cut with a die grinder. If he doesnt want to do the work have him just cut it out and ship it to you.

[ZGjethro]

Thanks for the info guys. I wish I had asked this question before I had him remove the fenders. I am afraid that he will not have used the care I would have and that they will be all cut up. At this point I can just wait and see what arrives at my door. In reassembling the fenders and bed, are the welds really needed, or will the bolts suffice?