The new lightweight project is going well, didn't think I'd be this far on by now. I'm now looking at the rear end.... help!! The middle part of the rear cross-member is in good order, but everything on the outside of the chassis rails on both sides is rotten .

Can I replace just the rotten bits, or do I have to take off the whole thing - tow hitch, electrics, convoy light etc. etc.??

Also, it appears that the right hand side tailgate hinge is an inch outside the chassis rail whereas the left is in line with the rail. Does this indicate a previous bump? Everything else seems to line up.

if the rails are solid you shouldnt have a problem, but for the price of a new rear member i know what i would do and thats fit a new xmember, job done and finished with, weld it and in 2 years time you could be welding it again

Yep whole new sections are not so expensive, changing the whole lot is a good idea.
I spose you could get one and hack the sections off that you need to replace and just weld those bits on, but as t'other chap said fitting the complete section will relieve you of any further trouble for a while.

thanks dr pepper for the back up on that 1

When thas reet, thas reet, tha knows.