Repops or Originals

[spencra]

Originally Posted by HuggerCST

If I could find rust free originals, I would go that route. I bought repops for mine, and one fits good, and the other doesn't. But, they aren't tri-plus either, and I've heard many times that they are the best.

I heard that Tri-Plus is really good too. I have Tri-plus rockers That I am waiting to put on my truck, they look really good (straight) and solid. I'll find out in the spring how good they really are.

[Cheesewagon]

I've had only one repop so far. And it was a nitemare installing. So as far as I'm concered I'd rather fix the old part frist. Besides it's cheaper to fix what you got then buy new anyday.

[low burb]

I wanted to do this once and use the truck as my daily driver, so I replaced everything that was rusty with Triplus. However, it isn't installed yet so I can't vouch for the fit. I got hood, doors, fenders, bumpers, grill.

[72CSTC5]

I can tell you guys this is that if many of you do not do your own bodywork on your trucks than buy repro fenders. Sometimes it is more expensive to repair an oem part than it is to bolt on a new undamaged panel. Plus, I can tell you that if someone came in to my shop with all new sheetmetal hanging on it and I give them a bid to paint it, it will be less expensive than if I have to prime and block the whole truck for two weeks due to bodyworked panels all over the vehicle. Sometimes it is worth trying to align the panels. Heck these truck came with about 5 lbs. of shims in them. Go with repro panels unless your panels are perfect with only minor dings. It will save you time and money in the long run. Plus if you come in to a bodyshop needing all bodywork, it will take longer than just sanding and shooting new panels.

[jc]

how about those tri plus doors. do they have that same nice solid thud as origanls when shut. are they as solid and as heavy. and are they making the 72 doors with the screw hole by the vent.
i prefer origanal but i dont want old repairs rotting on me in five years.

i have 2 new take off origanl tailgates here i wouldnt trade for 10 repos

[72MARIO]

I would fix the originals if they were in reason. You know the fit and line up just make sure you prime and paint the back of the patch that's where alot of people go wrong.

[kingsolver72]

Yes,they have a bit of a reveal.Looks just like my factory 72.

[Hooter]

I dont know about the 67-72 fenders, but having worked on the 73-87 fenders, no matter how much farting around I and my friends have done, half the time those things never seem to fit right, and you should some of the ways we have had to make 73-87 doors fit properly like a stack of 5 washers on the cab striker for gods sake. Im still confused on this debate as well, guess it depends who made the parts, because theres good then there's really really bad

[spencra]

Sometimes body parts suppliers will let you know that you may have to do some work on these panels because they may arrive with some imperfections (dents, scratches et..) because they are shipped from overseas. They also state that you might have to do some work to get things to fit right. I would say avoid that if you can.
The only way that I can think to avoid that is to buy local. A parts dealer isn't going to sell you a damaged part personally, and it's too easy to get away with that in the mail.
I have yet to mail order body parts (patch panels) via mail but plan on it after Christmas because I could get free shipping and the product seems to be a little cheaper. You can bet that I will inquire as to who makes the product.

[luckydog]

Ugh. This is really helping alot. Even the the poll is 50/50!

[Randy70C-10]

I guess it is kinda hit-and-miss, but every repro item I've bought fits perfect. So far I have (repro items) front fenders, rear fenders, front bed panel, tail gate, front and rear bumpers, tail lights and drivers side mirror. I don't have any complaints whatsoever on any of these parts. I must say though, you have to know what you're doing when it comes to proper fit and alignment of any part, repop or OEM. I started building hotrods more than 20 years ago and sometimes I still do some hammering to get things right. Patience....and a box of "body shims" will make your project look flawless.

Also....support your board venders!!!!

[smokekiki]

The only repop item I had a real issue with was the taigate on my blazer.The PO put it on.Not sure what manufacture but it is thin.Can't put any wieght on it.The new ones that most of the board vendors sell are supposed to be heavier.The gate is about 6 years old.

[spencra]

Originally Posted by smokekiki

The only repop item I had a real issue with was the taigate on my blazer.The PO put it on.Not sure what manufacture but it is thin.Can't put any wieght on it.The new ones that most of the board vendors sell are supposed to be heavier.The gate is about 6 years old.

Yeah, if i've heard anything consistently bad about repops it's that the repop tailgates can be really flimsy.