Body parts

[vht]

What have you all had good luck with on patch panels and body parts? I've had the patch panels that you spend an hour on reshaping to fit and the fenders that don't have a bolt hole that lines up before. I see that Summit racing handles a lot of stuff for these trucks but I figured I'd ask before spending the money and being very disappointed.

[cwcarpenter98]

I have purchased most of my patch panels from Auto Metal Direct. They are Tri-Plus parts which are the ones that most people are saying are good.

I purchased the tri-plus core support and was very happy with how it fit. All of my other front sheet metal is original. I didn't have to do anything with the bolt holes on the core support or front sheet metal.

I don't have most of my patch panels installed yet unfortunately

[Slammed96]

So far I've had pretty solid luck with panels from gmcpauls.com fitting well without too much massaging. Prices seem pretty reasonable as well.

[SkinnyG]

I went into it knowing that things aren't going to fit, and I was rewarded with exactly that.

[pdxhall]

I buy most of my stuff from Classic Parts and I've never had a complaint. They also deal in Tri Plus sheet metal. Never had many fitment issues with them. In my opinion I would stay away from LMC, I've only bought parts from them a 3 or 4 times and have had horrible luck with them.

[Pitpig]

Had good luck with Counterpart. They seem thicker and the e coat doesn’t rub off. Classic parts sells them along with triplus

[shortstep60]

I bought two doors one from classic and one from lmc same door different box. I don't like putting after market parts on my trucks. I have a set of nos fenders three pounds heaver then after market fender.

[vht]

Thanks for the replies, I've dealt with LMC on a square body, china made cheap crap that didn't impress me at all. I found Classic Parts, their prices seem ok and they have a nice site.

[Richard2112]

I have, more often than not, heard that Auto Metal Direct was a good supplier of parts. Conversely I've been told not to order sheet metal parts from LMC.

[J Williams]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

I have purchased most of my patch panels from Auto Metal Direct. They are Tri-Plus parts which are the ones that most people are saying are good.

I purchased the tri-plus core support and was very happy with how it fit. All of my other front sheet metal is original. I didn't have to do anything with the bolt holes on the core support or front sheet metal.

I don't have most of my patch panels installed yet unfortunately

I purchased both full front fenders for my 63 c10 that are Tri-Plus. What a waste of money. I think it is called Tri-plus because you try, then try again then plus you cuss! I have to cut them up and try to make them work as patch panels. If you are going to advertise an item you should at least attempt to see if your product works. Completely disappointed with far from par junk. Sorry, just still a little bitter

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by J Williams

I purchased both full front fenders for my 63 c10 that are Tri-Plus. What a waste of money. I think it is called Tri-plus because you try, then try again then plus you cuss! I have to cut them up and try to make them work as patch panels. If you are going to advertise an item you should at least attempt to see if your product works. Completely disappointed with far from par junk. Sorry, just still a little bitter

I have heard that from several others as well which is why I am choosing to patch what I have rather than completely replace. I'll buy another new core support panel if I ever buy another truck one day

[vht]

Summit handles Auto Metal brand.

[pdxhall]

I think that part of the problem is that some suppliers have a good quality control of the parts and some just sell whatever junk they're sent.

[67GMCcampercruiser]

I bought an aftermarket overseas fender for my 61. Wasted 3 days of my life trying every different combination of loosening and tightening different bolts in the whole front end and using shims to accommodate this fender with no luck. Set the gap by the door, then bring the front part down to bolt it and it twists and bends closing the gap so the door touches the fender. I will never buy another fender. Guess I will use this new junk as patch parts for my original fender.

[67GMCcampercruiser]

The junk I'm trying to work with.

[vht]

I'm going to try and find original if I can. I'll make patch panels for fenders and whatever I can. It's rockers, inner rockers and some of that stuff is easier if you can buy something that fits.

[kaycee]

Well I got a buddy that has replaced some of his stuff and kept all the old stuff so I'll go root through his pile this weekend. Has anyone tried the half fenders I pretty much need the whole edge plus the brace ? I saw them the other night but I cant find them now ,it was just the rear half about middle of wheel arch guess I'll keep searching

[ApacheNick]

I've used the half fenders. Both front and rear half. They are really just oversized patch panels, they have none of the braces. As far as quality, they're not total junk but expect to spend a few hours reshaping.

[shortstep60]

Nothing will change its been this way for a very long time. Same part different box how do I no bought two doors one from classic and one from lmc . The spot welds were all in the same spot they fit the same. They don't fit to bad but you can tell they are a after market door. They were both driver side doors. Lmc and classic will tell you if they don't fit bring them back. I drive down and pick up my parts they are a hour from my house so its not to bad. I try to stay away from after market parts.

[dream66]

The reproduction body parts I used were only floor, firewall, rocker, cab corner and kick panel patch panels. They were all good enuff.

I don't recall the brand but they were from Brother's trucks.

All exterior panels added to the restored truck were OEM parts from donor trucks. Of course doors, hood and fenders required significant "persuasion" but that's usually the case with 55 y.o. parts.