Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

I was wondering if anybody here has tried the fenders that Goodmark makes for the 73-87 body style? I bought one of their cowl induction hoods, and it fits pretty much like the original hood did. Now I'm wondering if their fenders are as good as their hoods? Since the supply of the original GM parts are drying up we need a source of aftermarket parts that actually fit. Anyone that has tried these fenders please post as to the fitment of them. Thanks! ...Joe

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

Joe, I'm not trying to steer you away from Goodmark at all so don't read this that way. When you start to get into '73-up sheetmetal you can buy most of it locally from regular aftermarket distributors (check http://autobpa.com for US members in your area). Buying this way will save you some dollars in shipping and handling.

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

I just sold some Goodmark fenders to a buddy of mine for his pickup. I have sold several of them since starting this and haven't had the first complaint.

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

I hope you didn't think I was saying there is anything wrong with their parts. I'm saying a lot of the later model stuff is available locally for most people (unlike the earlier parts) and it saves on shipping.

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

No, not at all. I agree totally, as Goodmark doesn't make them. With gas prices as they are, shipping stuff truck freight is a killer.
If it is 81-87 stuff, I would definitely get it locally, and I would verify with the links you posted anyone selling locally to make sure of the quality. As with all sheetmetal, it is going to require adjustment to fit regardless of where it comes from.

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

The reason I was asking was because I see them use Goodmark parts on Overhaulin' all the time. I figured that they have to be pretty good for a TV show like that to use them as often as they do. I bought some fenders a couple of years ago from Classic Industries.

The left fit okay with a LOT of shimming and adjusting. The right side really shows that it was made overseas as it never did fit right. I finally gave up on it and pulled it back off last summer.

It was replaced with one that I bought at the big swap meet that we have here every year in September. I thought that this one was an original GM (had the 89-91 Blazer trim and all on it, paint was faded etc.) and assumed that would bolt right on. Turned out to be yet another Taiwan fender that somebody had passed off onto unsuspecting me. Buyer beware! It did fit better than the first one that I had on the truck. But by the time that I installed it I had already spent time and money media blasting, priming, and doing some minor bodywork to it before painting it only to find out that it didn't fit right.

There's a guy that comes down here every year from northern Mo. that brings Goodmark sheetmetal with him. I thought that if anybody on here had tried their fenders and had good luck with them that I'd call this guy and have him bring me down a right hand side to the swap meet this year. That way I don't have to pay any shipping.

I do have original GM fenders up in my attic. 2 brand new sets still in the cartons and one good used set that I bought last summer at the salvage yard. But I don't want to use them right now because they are so hard to find in new GM, and I use my old truck daily. I sure don't want to rust the new GM ones that I have out if I can find something that will fit and look good while I am using the truck.

I eventually want to do a frame off on my truck and will then put the new GM fenders on since it will be garaged after I get done. I would still have extras just in case some bonehead decides to wipe them out. Maybe I'm nuts for this way of thinking, but I don't want to ruin good original GM fenders right now as hard as they are to find new. ...Joe

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

I can assure you that if it is aftermarket, it is made overseas. Goodmark included as they get their stuff from the same place everyone else does. The best fitting overseas stuff it Tri-plus.

Regardless of what the fender comes off of or who makes the fender (GM included), you are going to be doing some adjustments, it is just expected. Goodmark was used by Overhaulin due to advertisement more likely than fit, Tri-Plus made the fenders. If you call them the will tell you that you are better off buying locally on the 81-87's if you are no where near them. It is $150 to ship a fender (or a palette)

If you have great body men, they can put a Ford fender on a Chevy and line it up. :D

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

Hows the thickness of this stuff? I hear all the time that it's comparable to beer cans.

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

Most original metal mics at 1.1mm Tri-Plus is generally 1.2mm...I know sheet metal is normally measured in gauge....but that's what it works out to

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

Do you happen to know if Tri-ProAutomotive supplies fenders and other body parts to a company by the name of Keystone? If so there's a Keystone warehouse about 12 miles or so from me in Ozark, Mo. I have been to their warehouse before and asked about fenders for the 73-87 GM trucks but was told that they didn't have any in stock at the time but could have them down here from Kansas City the next day.

I was told about Keystone parts being some of the best parts out there in the aftermarket by a buddy of mine that is an auto body repairman. After I checked out those two websites that you posted up I found a link to the Keystone parts company in Ozark. This got me wondering if Keystone parts gets the sheetmetal that they sell from Tri-ProAutomotive? If they are actually one in the same I'm going to give them a call today and see about getting a right hand side fender for my truck and see just how good the thing fits.
Thanks for your help. ...Joe

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

Jon, I hope you don't mind me answering....

No, Tri-ProAutomotive does not supply parts to Keystone.

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

Chris- I don't mind at all.

Keystone is an excellent company and stands behind what they sell unconditionally; I wouldn't steer anyone away from them.

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

Thanks guys. I appreciate the response. I may still go ahead and buy one of their fenders and give it a try and see what happens. If it doesn't fit any better than the last one I guess my swap meet parts pile will get just a little bit bigger!

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

I called Keystone a while ago. I was quoted $147.05 each and they have them in stock so I could go by and pick one up anytime. I thought that was just a little bit steep for a local pick up but maybe it's the norm these days.

Tri-ProAutomotive is $69.50 with a $145.00 shipping fee which comes to $214.50. Question is which would be the better way to go? I don't mind paying a little extra for a part if I know that I can shim and adjust it to make it fit right but I don't want to spend any more than I have to. ...Joe

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

Are you expecting to just shim and bolt it down and be done? Or do you expect to have to readjust the whole front end of the truck (hood, core support, fenders, doors) to make the lines match, ALONG with the possibility of elongating some of the mounting holes to make it all work? 73-87 trucks were not known for their perfect body gaps.

If it is the former, you won't find a fender to match your expectations. Being these trucks are over 20 years old at a minimum, they could have been tweaked, wrecked, etc. you should expect to have to work at it to make it fit correctly. What year truck are we talking about?

I would shop around locally and ask some of the body repair shops where they get their sheetmetal from and ask about the quality and what to expect. Tell them what you are doing or plan to do and ask for information.

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

The left side did just shim out and bolt right up. It fits really well for an aftermarket part, gaps are good etc. You have to look pretty close to tell that it's not a GM part. I just want to find something similar to put on the right side. I know that these old trucks were never perfect.

I just want it to look decent for right now until I can do a frame off someday. At that point it will be done with all new GM sheetmetal and I will spend the time to adjust and fit it up where it is perfect. ...Joe

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

I have a Keystone warehouse nearby... 16 out of 18 panels I needed were in stock and priced fairly, although fenders were $120 each... Inner fenders, $48. Shortly after, I found their fenders at a local parts store for $79 each, plus most of my cab floor panels. In my experience, they fit as good as any other aftermarket. I'm just glad to know that I don't have to repair shipping damage on top of manufacturing flaws. It's a beautiful thing....If the part is trashed, I can ask the guy on the other side of the counter for a different one before I even pay for it.

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

VIP is a beautiful thing...LOL

BTW: Say "Hi" to Mike, Jodi and Rob

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

That shipping charge is to dissuade people from ordering it...but I want to have it available locally for people. I'm Tri-Pro Automotive and I'm telling you that you're better off not having me ship it.

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

Well my local guy here gets his stuff from D.A.R. and they supply goodmark stuff, mainly cowl hoods but I know for sure they get goodmark bedsides and fenders. I'd dig into some local dealers a bit deeper and find out what they have.

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

Amen, VIP to the rescue. I'm surprised they still stock panels for these trucks when 90% of their inventory is stick-on cosmetic stuff, but they've earned my respect by saving me $300 in shipping charges.

Now, which store do Mike, Jodi and Rob work at?

Re: Goodmark Sheetmetal
 

They ran the Manchester store...now in South Gardiner