Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

Looking to buy a lot of stainless side trim for a 69. Does anyone know if some manufacturers/vendors are better than others. In the past I have been happy with Kenny's Trucks and H&H Classic for various parts, but have never bought any trim parts from them. And now it looks like Kenny's is no longer in business. :(

Thanks.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

I can tell you a bought my trim from LMCrap.
The clips were too small and wouldn't lock inside the trim, just spun around when trying to tighten the nut Garbage.
RRM

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

Yes, Mar-K makes it in Kansas, USA and it is the best

www.mar-k.com

LMC stands for Let Me C if they sent the correct part :lol:

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

I’ve used several vendors before, and always thought it was pretty flimsy
Thanks Tim
I bookmarked their website, pretty pricey, but
I’m going to try them next time


Has anyone else used their trim before ?
Can you tell the difference from other vendors ?

It’s not quite nos prices, but if it’s close to that quality it might be worth it

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

We got ours at Mar-K for 68 fits good and still looks good after 4-5 years. Pretty happy with it. Going to get some lower Wood grain for a shortbed sometime soon. Will get it from them. Just my .02 cents.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

Well I just bought a complete wood grain set with all hardware for the top and bottom for my 72 short fleet from Truck Shop out of Orange, Ca. at the Pate swap meet, here in Texas. They didn't have it on the truck but will ship it for free. I should have it by next weekend or so. I paid way less than Mar-K and I will report back with initial observations and pics since I wont be installing them for at least a couple of months. I made the purchase with the boss man and he told me a few things that were VERY interesting in regard to the business in general. I feel I need to do some research before I blab. If these parts come in and look like I hope... I will be doing all my buying through him.:mm:

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

Their website says they are made in Oklahoma City... not that it matters;)

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

So I’m reporting back now since the side trim came in from The Truck Shop. The packages say “counterpart” and there is a made in Taiwan sticker also. The box with the lower wood grain trim had been crushed a little but only the longest pieces of trim have a slight arch bent into them and easily laid flat with minor pressure. I think I can straighten them to perfection without a problem. The upper trim came in a long hard cardboard tube with no problems. All the hardware is included for upper and lower trim. My first impression of the trim is excellent. It has nearly a mirror finish and the black striping looks to be the correct finish, kind of a satin/flat look. The wood decal appears to be correct in tone and colors. It’s also a fairly thick vinyl.
I’m no expert for sure but so far I’m glad I saved a ton of money instead of getting it from the “best”, being Mar-K. Anyways here’s what I got.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

When I started running out of NOS I started buying from Mar-K. It's made in Oklahoma City (a few pieces are made offshore that are disclosed on their website).

I have bought a couple of sets now, and I can't tell Mar-K from NOS.

The only complaint I have is I was going to pick up a set on the way through OKC and they didn't have a complete set in stock. I had to pay shipping even though I drove within a mile of the store.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

Thanks for the input Davischevy. Based on the photos that I posted do you think this stuff compares to NOS or Mar-K?

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

Quite honestly your trim looks great. The only way to tell would be to compare yours to some original trim.

I have never examined or even held any import trim so I have no way to compare.

Even the original trim was not effective against door dings. I put a set of NOS on a truck once and got a door ding right off the bat and never did figure out where it came from.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

I came up through Weatherford and Springtown a while back. I stopped at a swap meet in Decatur.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

I plan on using mar-k on my build. Sounds like it’s good stuff

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

When I was restoring my k20 (now sold), I ordered a complete upper and lower set of trim from a large retailer, that supports our trucks. If I remember correctly, all the pieces had Counterpart stickers on them. Although the pieces looked great, the fit was less than desirable. The punched mounting screw holes on the lower rear bed and the front lower fender trim pieces didn't even come close to lining up.

In addition, the upper bed pieces were really wavy. Meaning, when I laid the trim pieces on edge on my granite kitchen counters, I could see air between the trim and the granite in multiple spots - like 1/8" plus in several spots. The retailer finally agreed to a prepaid return and money back after sending them multiple pictures of the numerous issues.

I then ordered a full set of Mar-K trim through Brothers Trucks and couldn't have been happier. Looked great, nice and straight and the holes lined up.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

I haven't dealt with Mar-K for so long I guess I forgot where they are located. It's also not stainless, but anodized aluminum trim and I never caught that in the original post until now. I knew that The truck Shop is the sales end of their manufacturing company called Counterpart, which is what many independent vendors carry. looking at part of a loose piece of trim will only tell us the quality of the finish, but nothing about the fit. I know those guys and most of their products are decent. My point was, even if their trim is on level with Mar-K's, Mar-K's is better simply because it is made in the USA. Can't complain about jobs and manufacturing being sold out to foreign countries when the very reason that is happening is just what you admitted... to save a buck. To me it is worth the extra purely out of principle, when quality is made right here by fellow working Americans just like us.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

I'm just trying to inform these "fellow working Americans like us" of what my experience with this trim is. The fact is I spent over 450. LESS than what Mar-k charges...so yeah I like the idea of helping a forum brother out that way. Please keep your guilt trip to yourself..... Like everything you own is American made, give me a break man. My intention was only to inform, not to sell. Are you the Mar-k Sales Manager? This will really chap your hide, I've been in business 25 years and ALL of my employees are hispanic Americans. Oh, and last time I checked L.M.C. was an American company too, but they are not on your who to support list?
I agree on saving american jobs and dont mind paying some more if its a better product, just like the rest of us. In my first response in this thread I mentioned that I spoke with the bossman, and he told me of some things that I wanted to verify before I said anything that I thought might not be true. What Ken from The Truck Shop told me was that HE was the the manufacturer and supplied many of the very dealers that were at the Pate swap meet, many of which I am a frequent customer of. THEN he said that he sells his trim to MAR-K.....Now, I generally am a pretty good judge of character, and I ordered his complete trim set. If I take a hickey and the stuff doesn't fit right, I will speak the truth about it so everyone on this excellent forum will know the "differences in side trim vendors" like the OP was questioning. Moderators, I really did try hard to keep it tame here.

Yeah Davischevy you were right in my neck of the woods, I missed the Decatur swap meet this year, how was it?

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

Your guilt comes from within. I was first to reply in this thread asking "Any difference between side trim vendors?" and my reply was Mar-K, which you quoted and corrected. I base my opinion on two things, the first being spelled out by another member showing a beautiful K/20 for an example...which was posted while I typed. The second thing I just spelled out because I see it as making a difference. That's all. You can take my words any way you want. I also deal with The Truck Shop and use Counterpart products. As I also stated, but not quoted, "most of their products are decent". ALL the vendors we deal with... LMC (I don't), Truck Shop, Brothers, GMC Paul, Bill Athey, Classic Heartbeat, Frank Hamm, and on and on are American businesses. Who doesn't know that? I only made my comments on Mar-K offering American made products to demonstrate "why" their products run higher, in response to your saved money by not using them. It's not that they are putting a large mark-up on cheaply produced foreign product. It's that their cost to produce is in direct proportion to the costs you, I, and our fellow working Americans know as reality. BTW, Hispanic Americans are "working Americans like us" too, right? And the reason you hire them is not to get cheaper labor, right? I see you are in Texas. Hispanics (Mexican) were there before your people. They very much belong there and deserve to work, so no issues from me on that matter.

I buy made in USA whenever I can. No,everything I own is not made in USA, but I can say with confidence I buy as few new modern products as possible and if there is a made in USA alternative I am willing to spend what it takes so I can live by my own words as closely as possible.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

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Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

I will pay a modest price premium for "Made in the USA". I will pay a significant price premium for quality.

But I won't buy junk just because it's American, though thankfully that is very rare.

I too wound up with Mar-K, but honestly was unhappy with the black paint portion of the trim. It was uneven and made the trim look bendy, so I had to clean it all up by hand.

In my mind that should have been done at the factory, not at my house. But not the end of the world.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

Unfortunately Dave, some NOS parts were far from perfect. It don't make it right, it just makes it what it is.

I bought a 72 Cheyenne new. I look back on it fondly now, but it had it's share of issues.

I'm not sure I even addressed your statement, but oh well.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

From Mar-K's website. " All mouldings in this kit except cab intermediate and front fender are made in Oklahoma City, USA".

Personally, I figure if you earned the money, spend it how you want. Same for here. I try to buy American when I can, and like Dave said throw me in some quality to make me feel good about the purchase. I always compare products and buy American If given a choice.

My business can't be outsourced overseas. I need you guys working here to support me.

The auto industry (top to bottom) made it easy for the Japanese to become a major player. My Silverado SS was made in Mexico. Now what the hell, a Super Sport is supposed to be red blooded American.

The fit and finish of the late seventies was at an all time low.

And all this from a simple question about stainless moldings that are actually aluminum.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

Board member turpmcspray posted a thread way back comparing all the trim, nos, aftermarket, mar-k. The difference in all of them was negligible, definitely NOT worth the difference in the prices between them.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

Definitely. Bought my 69 C10 (now my son's) back in 1989 when I could still get lots of parts from my Chevy dealer. Among other things, I bought several pieces of trim. All of them fit perfectly, but on some pieces the black paint was hit and miss, like the paint template, mask, or whatever, was not quite right.

But, man that stuff was cheap in 1991-1993 when I restored the truck (even if you factor in inflation). Especially since they sold to me at jobber price. And of course the trim parts came with the proper mounting clips and nuts.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

...when you only consider the appearance. When you consider the offshore product was made at a fraction of the cost of made in USA, then marked up hundreds of percents, then that is what is overpriced just to put more money in Mr. Big's pocket. Our difference in perspective shows our difference in age. Folks younger than those who knew the day of the USA being the manufacturing giant, such as the time these great trucks were built, came along with things as they are now as being the norm. While folks my age watched jobs go away and factories close down all to perhaps save the consumer a nickle, or worse... solely to put more money in Mr. Big's pocket. Like Davis Chevy, my labor can't be outsourced to another country because my work is done on site. We suffer from another yet similar issue now (perhaps not on AR), the labor coming here to knock the bottom out of our wages. Sorry I don't like all this, but I am thinking beyond myself to my children and their children, as well as back to my forefathers who laid the tracks to the gravy train these people are now riding on. Perhaps I'd feel differently if I could go to another country with my 45 years of experience and skills to make multiples more money than in the country where I was born. If you younger folks had lived through what I have then you would see things differently. For you it's just the way it is and makes no difference. I have had to learn to except this because the fact is, that is how it is now. But I don't have to like it and anywhere I can affect things differently I will do that because I was never the one to roll over on his back for that which I feel is wrong. As I said before, the fact that Mar-K pieces are made in the USA is reason enough for me to feel it is worth more. Same as I feel I am worth more than someone who has just come to learn how things are done here. Maybe if foreign doctors and lawyers would come here to earn $20 an hour things would be different. Or to be politicians earning $50k a year. Pretty funny, huh?

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

This is awesome
Not only am I learning
‘The differences in side trim vendors’
I also get to learn
‘The politics of trim’

Some great points taken
The problem might be, if you built a truck with all American made products
It might cost 3 times what it is worth
-I’d venture to say, not many people would do that no mater what age they are-

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

You’re about 15 years older than me...that really ain’t much :haha: I remember when the USA was the manufacturing giant as well, and when that ceased to happen. My dad talked about it all the time in the 80’s, like he had a crystal ball :lol: It could have made a difference then, too late now, time to move on :( I used counterparts trim based on the real life experiences of a longtime member who did real comparisons too...with installations not just appearance out of the package. My trim fits great, if I recall correctly I had to “bow” the upper door pieces to conform and lay perfectly flat. No big deal, I don’t expect the part to mount itself without a little coaxing. I can’t justify paying $400 more for something that isn’t $400 “better”

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

My brother is 15 years younger, so I'm very familiar with the differences that short amount of time coming up meant. When I started driving a '71 was brand new. Virtually all American and emissions equipment-free. Toyotas barely had a foot into the market back East and we had no idea what a fuel shortage was. By '86 vehicles had fuel injection, like one muscle car, and the mentality was buy Japanese/Americans make junk, and most American brand dealerships carried a foreign brand as well. I have rolled with the changes, still don't fully embrace them. I've noticed the ones who care the least about such things are the ones who's careers have been least affected. Although the type of work I do has been affected in a general sense, I have found ways to offer services on a different level where people expect more and are willing to pay for it, or by filling niches.

I have done my own real life comparisons with the three categories mentioned and base my opinion on that, as well as allowing my feelings on the dying American manufacturer to play in. This is the opinion I offered here. I am fine with having others hold differing opinions. I don't need everyone to agree with me to be a man of my own convictions. And knowing I may be a minority will never keep my mouth shut. I've thought about it, continue to do so, and so far still feel the way I do. Restoring these trucks is an elective expense I never felt was to be done on a tight budget. In the time that I began doing old vehicle there were not all these options, no reproduction and no online price shopping. We were just happy to find what we needed. I paid $325 for the N.O.S. saddle steering wheel I have through a listing with no picture in HMN and from an individual in OKC. I was super happy to have it and was willing to send that much money, 30 years ago, sight unseen to a stranger half way across the country for the chance at having exactly what I wanted that I knew was super rare. Things have changed an awful lot between my time and my little brother's.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

In my experience, virtually nothing from China is worth a darn. Wrenches don't quite fit hex heads, brittle castings break, ratchets feel like something that came out of a cereal box, holes are drilled in the wrong places, and threads are sometimes neither metric or SAE. And what's worse is the vendors probably make more money (certainly more gross profit) selling a $50 imported part than they do selling a $75 USA-made part. And that's after importer mark-up.

That said, I have found parts from Taiwan and Mexico to be much better quality. Over the years, I had one vendor tell me he stopped selling window regulators because this particular fitment was made by only one Chinese company, and his return rate was greater than 50%. But finally a Tawainese company started making them, and he said they were top-rate. Another vendor told me a about a Taiwanese company that made great hood hinges, and man was he right! Better than OEM, in my opinion. I wish that particular manufacturer would sell under a brand name so we always knew what we were getting! Finally, I have had good success with "Counterparts" that are sold in packaging similar to GM's. I think they are also Taiwanese made, but am not 100% sure.

Since we're stuck with so many imported parts these days, we simply have to find the honest, ethical, vendors who will tell you which parts are well made and which ones are not. As I mentioned above, Kenny's Trucks seems to be gone, but I've found H&H in Arkansas to be a trusted vendor, and I hear GMC Paul is pretty good.

Thanks for all the input.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

I buy a lot of stuff from H&H Classic Parts because I can drive there and pick it up.

Good people and they won't sell inferior products.

Good discussion. We all have different perspectives, but that's a good thing.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

Mike, you make a very good point for all to consider. As I recall in my time, Japanese products were known for being inferior junk imitation crap. Look where that reputation climbed up to. Then it was Taiwan, and I have been having said the same to me about better quality. China hasn't gotten there yet. I believe they will, as I believe people want to have pride and improve themselves in their work. The reason Mr Fat Cat out For Bigger Profits goes to "the next nation of cheap manufacturing nation" is to get to a ridiculously lower pay scale that automatically broadens his margin by hundreds or thousands of percents. That economy is so cheap because it is so undeveloped. The skills required for these new job marked are also undeveloped. Mr Fat Cat doesn't care, he's a money man. The new Mr. Bossman and Mr. Factory owner are also mostly concerned with making the most profit at their new craft. Inferior materials, techniques, tolerances, etc all abound. Doesn't matter. That Sea-tainer full of product is non-returnable and the orders will keep on coming because the stuff is cheapest. In time, the economy improves, competition within that nation increases, and wages rise. The profit margin starts closing in and quality improves. Probably just plain experiences adds in somewhere, too.

Re: Any differences in side trim vendors?
 

NOS is rarely perfect, but it always fits.