Installing aftermarket sheet metal 64 c10

[Lunnb]

I’m looking for any tips, tricks ,etc for installing aftermarket sheet metal . My original fenders , inner fenders , core support and grill support were beyond resurrection so I purchased everything from the aftermarket . Individually, the pieces fit pretty well but the final fitment with gaps and body lines will need some tweaking. After elongating bolt holes and gentle persuasion, fitment is better but no where close to where it needs to be . Is the factory assembly manual any help with this task ?
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated .

[flashed]

Nsane Hotrods is in your area , Dewayne would know those answers .

[Captainfab]

From what I have read plus my limited experience, that is just the way it is with the aftermarket sheetmetal. None of it fits correctly and requires a fair amount of modification to get to fit right, if it ever does.

[nsb29]

I agree with the captain, you’re going to need a lot of patience keep working with it you can post pictures of your issues for help and remember alignment of the original part was not perfect, I used aftermarket front fenders on by 65 as well as rockers and door skins. To be honest with you I spent as much time trying to get my original cowel extensions hood and doors to fit correctly as I did with fenders and rocker panels

[1slo64]

Finding original parts and just patching them is the best way to do it. All of the aftermarket parts I've dealt with have sucked, lots of patience and persuasion needed to get them close.

[Lunnb]

I can finally post a front end Friday pic . More tweaking needed but not bad for the initial install . New fenders and grill support .

[damnyankee36]

Even with factory panels I had to add steel rod to the edges and also removed metal then built them back up with the rod to get the gaps consistent.

[Lunnb]

Damnyankee, that looks great

[damnyankee36]

Thanks! Show us more pics of your progress. I'd be interested in seeing how close you can get it without metal work modifications.

Flashed's post reminded me of the bedsides and tailgate I got from Nsane. Other than a little skim coating on the sides to reduce some very long waves, (more than 2' long), it bolted together and fit the frame very nicely. I guess some repro parts can fit well. That time was a first for me that I didn't have problems.

[nsb29]

Originally Posted by damnyankee36

Even with factory panels I had to add steel rod to the edges and also removed metal then built them back up with the rod to get the gaps consistent.

I had to do the same thing as well as slit my cowel extension In order to have the body line, line up with the door and hood

[PGSigns]

After a trial fit and it not looking good when I put new panels on my 65 I put new cab mounts in and got the cab square with chassis. It did help with the alignment. It had sagged close to a 1/4".
Jimmy

[bcontractor]

Originally Posted by Lunnb

I can finally post a front end Friday pic . More tweaking needed but not bad for the initial install . New fenders and grill support .

Thats not fair...you need to grind rust like the rest of us..heheh

[The Rocknrod]

Originally Posted by damnyankee36

Even with factory panels I had to add steel rod to the edges and also removed metal then built them back up with the rod to get the gaps consistent.

Much to my chagrin my body/paint shop did the same thing to mine. Looks great, cost more than I had imagined. And mine had no aftermarket panels except the rad support.

[LVPhotos]

Well.... I found NOS fenders, one painted, guy didn't like color. A unmolested tailgate... had to be taken off and put away for a camper. The weigh Difference is huge

[damnyankee36]

Nice score!

Hey, I sent you a PM a couple months ago. Did you see it?

[LVPhotos]

Originally Posted by damnyankee36

Nice score!

Hey, I sent you a PM a couple months ago. Did you see it?

No pm in box

[damnyankee36]

Hmm, maybe it's not really a PM. Look in your Visitor Messages tab in your control panel. I can see the messages I sent you in there.