Auto body repair & detailing: 97 Dodge Ram Fender Removel, spot welds, wheel wells

Question
Can you please suggest a tool or the best way to remove the spot welds from the fender to the wheel wells...(best tool to use and where to buy it)....Also, I bought new fenders that came already painted to match my truck that will have to be attached back to the wheel wells.....after removing the spot welds from the old fenders I thought I should bolt the new fenders onto the old wheel wells instead of welding since welding will mess up the new paint....What is you opinion or any suggestions.  Thanks.

Answer
Do you mean the fenders, or the bedsides? The fenders are meant to be taken off intact, I've never replaced the fender on a Ram by removing spot welds. The fender comes as a complete unit, and it's easiest to replace it as a complete assembly. Remove the old fender, transfer all the old hardware to it, then carefully slide the new one into it's place. Remove the front bumper, then the grille, then the headlamps, in that order. Look for hidden bolts in the door jamb area, and in the wheel house area. Expect to have to remove things like the battery, the air box, maybe loosen up components like an ABS unit, and wiring looms. There may be a plastic liner inside the fenders that will have to be removed, I don't recall. It's been over 2 years since I did a ram, so I was reluctant to try to tell you how exactly to do it. Sometimes, the wrong help is more harm than good. Now, if it's the bedside, drill the inner wheel house spot welds out where they attach the wheel house to the inside bed panel, Then, using a body saw, cut the old wheel house panel, leaving about a half inch lip inside the wheel house, close to the inner bed panel. Don't spot wend drill the panel like the replacement part. Now, drill 5/16 holes about 2 inches apart, all along the inner wheel house. (next to where it attaches to the inner bed panel) After installing the new panel, plug weld the inner wheel house to the overlap left by cutting the old wheel house a half inch long. It should slide right underneath the lip, with a little prodding. That way, you don't disturb the factory welds, and all the work is hidden deep in the wheel house. Pretty slick, ay? Good luck! Bill