Dear All

I have a 1981 Westy with some side damage and rust.  The area in question is
the rocker panel (sill) and side quarter panel between the center window and
the rocker panel - where the hook-ups are located.  The vehicle has a dint
in the quarter panel and has rusted out badly all along the seam between the
rocker and the quarter panel above.  I presume this is due to moisture
behind the fridge and sink, and may we have resulted from a faulty water
pump.

I have observed many vanagons in this area and most appear to suffer from
rust along this seam.  I am very handy with a welder, grinder, etc and have
restored VW's before.   The rocker panel is widely available and I will be
replacing this.  However, the side quarter panel is not available, and from
what I have observed, anything from a breakers yard may be no better than
what I have.  I intend to straighten the quarter panel and weld a homemade
panel along the lower 6", where the panel is rusty.

Does anyone have any experience of working in this area.  I have seen lots
of repairs in this area, so someone must have some advice.  Mine was
previously repaired with bondo and filler, but this was all bubbled and
cracked off when the dint was caused by some 17 year old reversing TWICE
into the side of the van!

TIA

Michael