55 body repair panels - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

drivea55 · 11-06-2009, 01:10 AM

Hey all,
I have yet another question for you all... I have been searching for repair panels and have found quite a lot of them. I have not found anything that replaces the spots I have pictured. I would think that this is "A" typical areas that rot out.
Does anybody know if they make these or do you have to hand fabricate them?

thanks...

Sal's '55 Chevy · 11-06-2009, 03:01 AM

if you go to americanclassic.com you will find what you are looking for but it is a little pricey.

hotrodrookie · 11-06-2009, 03:35 AM

Get a cut off wheel, hand shear, some sheet metal, a hammer, a little welder, and alot of patience and you should be ok.
It looks like the worst part there is a pretty uniform curve and then a single bend which could be made with a vise.

drivea55 · 11-06-2009, 03:41 AM

thanks man,
looks like this will be a cross between a replacement panel and a little fabricating.

looks like replacing this and fabbing the rest or else i will have to replace the whole upper outer.

drivea55 · 11-06-2009, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Get a cut off wheel, hand shear, some sheet metal, a hammer, a little welder, and alot of patience and you should be ok.
It looks like the worst part there is a pretty uniform curve and then a single bend which could be made with a vise.

I am leaning this way, seems that with a little patience I could cut away a nice section and tap away till it fits just right!

Thanks again,
Brian

hotrodrookie · 11-06-2009, 04:14 AM

I really dont think you need to replace the whole outer surface, seems like a waste of a part for such a small concentration of rust (from what I can see) You'll probably be replacing the lower fron cab corners as well so make sure you get out all the leaves that are probably tucked in there, I had a garbage bag full from both sides.

OrrieG · 11-06-2009, 02:38 PM

Something to consider also is that if you look close at the area shown in the photo below on your truck you will see that it usually looks like some one took a ball peen hammer to the inner panel. For years that puzzled me, I could not figure out how that got damaged even on trucks that had not had the fenders removed. I found out that those are from the factory. Originally either that piece or the fender brace was misstamped and rather than retool relief for the fender to fit was provided with a 2# on the assembly line. If you replace that piece keep the old one for reference if you run into fitment issues during reassembly.

I'd just fabricate the the outer piece below the window. If you do the cab corners and do not use the complete patch panel the curve might be close enough, or you can use various diameters of pipe for templates.

drivea55 · 11-06-2009, 07:05 PM

all great stuff!

thanks again

mbgmike · 11-06-2009, 08:14 PM

The cowl panel is available but I would try to patch it up if its not too bad to save some money.

11-06-2009, 01:10 AM	#1
drivea55 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Monson,MA Posts: 503	55 body repair panels Hey all, I have yet another question for you all... I have been searching for repair panels and have found quite a lot of them. I have not found anything that replaces the spots I have pictured. I would think that this is "A" typical areas that rot out. Does anybody know if they make these or do you have to hand fabricate them? thanks... Attached Images __________________ current project; 1950 GMC "Junk Yard Dawg" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=635960 ___________________________________________ SOLD to "ONEBADFIVEFIVE" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=436406

11-06-2009, 03:01 AM	#2
Sal's '55 Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Garland, Texas Posts: 158	Re: 55 body repair panels if you go to americanclassic.com you will find what you are looking for but it is a little pricey. Attached Images __________________ '55 Chevy PU 2nd Series '97 Chevy Silverado XCab '13 GMC Sierra

11-06-2009, 03:35 AM	#3
hotrodrookie Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 425	Re: 55 body repair panels Get a cut off wheel, hand shear, some sheet metal, a hammer, a little welder, and alot of patience and you should be ok. It looks like the worst part there is a pretty uniform curve and then a single bend which could be made with a vise.

11-06-2009, 03:41 AM	#4
drivea55 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Monson,MA Posts: 503	Re: 55 body repair panels thanks man, looks like this will be a cross between a replacement panel and a little fabricating. looks like replacing this and fabbing the rest or else i will have to replace the whole upper outer. __________________ current project; 1950 GMC "Junk Yard Dawg" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=635960 ___________________________________________ SOLD to "ONEBADFIVEFIVE" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=436406

11-06-2009, 04:14 AM	#6
hotrodrookie Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 425	Re: 55 body repair panels I really dont think you need to replace the whole outer surface, seems like a waste of a part for such a small concentration of rust (from what I can see) You'll probably be replacing the lower fron cab corners as well so make sure you get out all the leaves that are probably tucked in there, I had a garbage bag full from both sides.

11-06-2009, 02:38 PM	#7
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: 55 body repair panels Something to consider also is that if you look close at the area shown in the photo below on your truck you will see that it usually looks like some one took a ball peen hammer to the inner panel. For years that puzzled me, I could not figure out how that got damaged even on trucks that had not had the fenders removed. I found out that those are from the factory. Originally either that piece or the fender brace was misstamped and rather than retool relief for the fender to fit was provided with a 2# on the assembly line. If you replace that piece keep the old one for reference if you run into fitment issues during reassembly. I'd just fabricate the the outer piece below the window. If you do the cab corners and do not use the complete patch panel the curve might be close enough, or you can use various diameters of pipe for templates. Attached Images __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project Last edited by OrrieG; 11-07-2009 at 12:38 AM.

11-06-2009, 07:05 PM	#8
drivea55 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Monson,MA Posts: 503	Re: 55 body repair panels all great stuff! thanks again __________________ current project; 1950 GMC "Junk Yard Dawg" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=635960 ___________________________________________ SOLD to "ONEBADFIVEFIVE" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=436406

11-06-2009, 08:14 PM	#9
mbgmike Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR Posts: 5,415	Re: 55 body repair panels The cowl panel is available but I would try to patch it up if its not too bad to save some money.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.