Chequer plate in rear tub

Hi all,

After spending way too much time searching through all the posts on chequer plate, I haven't managed to find what I am looking for...

Recently took the plunge and bought a money pit... err... 300TDi 90. Lots of work done (poorly, in some cases) lots left to do (isn't there always??) but I had a question. It came with a cut-to-measure chequer plate insert in the back. Covers the whole bed and runs up the two sides with a lip over the top of the wheel tubs. Riveted at the door end and otherwise loose fitted (not as rattly as you might expect!). Looked nicely done, but I was concerned so drilled the rivets and wrestled the thing out. Sure enough, there was water trapped between the plate and the bed. No rot as yet (but discoloured paint) but feels like a long term issue just waiting to get me.

My question(s)... Leave out, or put back in? If put back in, is there any way to seal it where it meets the rear bulkhead (most likely point for water ingress) that won't just result in a worse problem? I also have some dynamat sound-proofing (for what it's worth) to fit... I guess fitted underneath the plate, if it goes back?

Thanks all!

For me I would leave it out.
If its already trapped water then why would it not do it again if you put it back?
Fix the leaks first, if you trap any more water in there with the sound proofing it will accelerate the rust issue.

Our 90 is bare in front and back, yes it leaks but the water dont fester .

J

The bed floor is an aluminium alloy, so won't really rot due to water.....

marjon said:

For me I would leave it out.
If its already trapped water then why would it not do it again if you put it back?
Fix the leaks first, if you trap any more water in there with the sound proofing it will accelerate the rust issue.

Our 90 is bare in front and back, yes it leaks but the water dont fester .

J

Click to expand...

Sorry, should have said - I don't think there are any leaks as such, but the previous owner loved to hose out the back which will have driven water round the edge of the plate and underneath.

300bhp/ton said:

The bed floor is an aluminium alloy, so won't really rot due to water.....

Click to expand...

Good point well made, I am just so used to worrying about rust that I assume it will happen everywhere

300bhp/ton said:

The bed floor is an aluminium alloy, so won't really rot due to water.....

Click to expand...

Hows it fixed?

J

marjon said:

Hows it fixed?

J

Click to expand...

Riveted... painted over but probably steel. If they stay wet I expect galvanic corrosion will pay a visit

I would leave it out. Water sitting behind anything isn’t a good thing and I think it would be hard to seal properly.