Goodmark Sheetmetal, good or bad?

[67ChevyRedneck]

I have extra money finally (96 hours of comp time, WOHOO) and my truck needs some parts. I am close enough to where I can drive to the goodmark store in lawrenceville, GA (my gf goes to uga which isnt too far from there). I've read a few scattered opinions on this stuff. Here goes....

How do the 67 front fenders fit? How do the doors fit? I am contemplating buying two doors and two fenders. I have measurements of various areas of my doors and fenders I will take with me, if they are not close enough to stock, I will not purchase them. For those who say they fit poorly, how so? Did the bolt holes not align? Did the body lines not align? Were they too wide or short? I will probably be heading down there in a month or so. I'd like to start out with brand new parts for once, tired of rust. Opinions from people who have actually used these parts will be greatly appreciated.

[Joe67]

Goodmark sells the same parts as everyone else 99% of the time, the are a only a reseller

[67ChevyRedneck]

That's just where I'll be going (I can actaully pick the parts up from the store and not have to pay several hundred dollars for shipping).

[shifty]

You're actually pretty close to the Goodmark factory. If you book an appointment with them, their prices for installation are reasonable if you're interested.

More info with a full price sheet: http://www.goodmarkindustries.com/GIC.htm

I have heard people complain about their stuff from time to time, but it is what it is. GM certifies a lot of their pieces. I hear people say that they just sell repops that are made in China, but I have yet to see any proof of it (I'd like to, though). I don't understand how Goodmark can be only reselling sheetmetal that gets GM's seal of approval, if that was the case, everyone else would get that same seal of approval and I haven't seen any evidence that's happening.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I'd install it all myself, but thanks for the info shifty, I especially like this line " 1) All panels fit & gapped equal to the specs in the factory assembly manual for your vehicle" If they guarantee that for the install, they have to fit, right? I also agree with the other stuff you said.... soooooo, who's got experience?

[Captkaos]

I am a distributor for Goodmark, only certain parts they sell are GM certified. ALL of them are made overseas, the ones that have the GM stamp is ones they have had the manufacturer improve or change the stamp of. It it is patch panels, they are the same thing as Tri-plus.

You can purchase the pieces from me and pick them up at Goodmark if you like, then you can save shipping and cost over retail.

[shifty]

Or you can drive to Capt. Kaos' shop and give him a few bucks to install them

[speedracer]

I wish they had places like that in new england. Everyone that hears Connecticut get $$ signs in there eyes when it comes to shipping and the salt, sand, and snow up here destroys the sheetmetal on the older vehicles.

[spencra]

Originally Posted by speedracer

I wish they had places like that in new england. Everyone that hears Connecticut get $$ signs in there eyes when it comes to shipping and the salt, sand, and snow up here destroys the sheetmetal on the older vehicles.

I agree with you speedracer. Nice to see a board member that's within a few miles of me.

[67ChevyRedneck]

captkaos, what kind of deal can you get on the doors/fenders? Goodmarks lists the fenders around 160 each and the doors at 300 each. I know I've seen the doors listed for 250 from dealers who sell goodmark stuff, but I havent seen the fenders listed any cheaper. Have you had any experience installing them or customer comments? I went to your site, but I don't think you have the 67-72 stuff added yet.

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

....I went to your site, but I don't think you have the 67-72 stuff added yet.

The popular 67-72 stuff is there.
Here is where the doors are, they are $269.95:
http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/merc...tegory_Code=6T

This is where the fenders are, they are $125.95:
http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/merc...tegory_Code=6F

I haven't had much experience with the 67-72 stuff you are needing yet. Both friends with 67-72's already had good doors.

I do know where you can find original doors complete for $50 though, a buddy of mine is sell some, click here:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=154464

[Billla]

Year One uses what's called a YOCLASS system to identify how closely the part matches an orginal part. It's not universally adopted as it's very subjective, but I think it's a pretty good guide for what to expect.

Generally what I find with aftermarket is that the bolt holes line up, but the creases aren't quite as sharp as they should be and some of the bends are a little sloppy. My understanding is that this stems from just a lower investment in tooling - they don't spend as much on the dies and it shows. I always prefer a salveagable used part over new.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Doesn't goodmarks GM certified parts (or whomever they buy from) use the original dies?
All good info, keep it commin fellers.

[Billla]

They use the factory drawings to make tooling, but it's not the same as factory tooling...which has long since been destroyed. And, they look at it very differently. In the factory they weren't all that concerned with die lifetime - they set quality limits and when the die couldn't cut it they'd scrap it and put in a new one. You can do this when you're making 100,000 parts. For a small manufacturer, they're going to make that die ONCE and it damn well better last forever. So, that crease is going to be a little less sharp, that radius a little less abrupt...all of which makes a part that's not quite what the factory sent.

All IMHO, of course

[67ChevyRedneck]

Do you know if the doors are COMPLETELY rust free? Mine appear perfect and straight, rust free from the outside, but the outer skin is seperating from the inner structure from rust. If they are perfect, for 50 each, I'd be willing to pay shipping, but I may be able to pick them up if I visit my friend in Tuskegee, AL.

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Do you know if the doors are COMPLETELY rust free?

Being over 30 years old I doubt they are COMPLETELY rust free. I can get you more pics if you want.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

Being over 30 years old I doubt they are COMPLETELY rust free. I can get you more pics if you want.

yeah, I know what you mean. What I meant was are there any pinholes on the bottoms, rust holes anywhere, or is the seam seperating from rust anywhere. More pics are definately welcome, especially of the door bottoms. Thanks.

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

yeah, I know what you mean. What I meant was are there any pinholes on the bottoms, rust holes anywhere, or is the seam seperating from rust anywhere. More pics are definately welcome, especially of the door bottoms. Thanks.

I think the 67-87 trucks came with the option of rust on it looking at some of these trucks. I will try to get over to his house this weekend and take some pics for you.

[Blue Beard]

I purchased a radiator support from the local supply only to find the blind nuts on the wrong side.

Contacted Goodmark on the issue, they looked into it to find the problem.

Then they sent me a new one, and they paid the freight for free.

Can't beat that kind of customer service.

[49studebaker]

Yes, I'm with Billla, the floor pan I purchased has the same creases, only half as deep, or defined. What I found interesting is, I ordered from a company that sells Goodmark, mostly because the cowl induction hood on my 95 GMC fit so well. The parts I received had the Goodmark label, and most had the Triplus sticker, the floor pan is a Keyparts. I'm in agreement that most parts come from the same place. I look at it like "it's beats bending it my self". I can't imagine with the demand for restoring our trucks, they don't refine their tooling a little bit better. My plan is to get my sheet metal welding down to the point where I can buy fender patch panels, rather than the intire fender. I've read on this forum, that's the best way to get a good fit, providing you have a decent fender to start with.

[STP67-72]

I am a goodmark dealer and install a lot of it. Some fit great and some you have to make it fit. If you want it perfect find some used parts. I tell my customers what to exspect up front. I put a pair on my 68 stepside a few years ago and i sold it for $22000.00. So they looked ok. They have improved the fenders since that pair. Hope this helps you.

[muddpile]

I recently purchased the following goodmark pieces:
-Front Fenders
-Full Doors
-Floor Pans
-Inner Rockers
-Outer Rockers
-Front Cab Supports
-Rear Cab Supports
-Rear floor patch
-Cab Corners

All the pieces look good, and some that came from goodmark say Tri-Plus on them. They may not be as heavy as original, but they are sure close, and the fit looks good on the patch panels I've test fit.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Have you test fitted the doors or fenders yet?

To be honest, I've spent a good bit of time years ago trying to get my original doors alinged decent, and that's all I was able to do. I'll be happy if they are close and the body lines match up.

I would like to reuse and patch my original fenders, but when I bought the truck it was all original except it had a green front fenders on it, which makes no sense 'cause it still had the original hood and grill. The DS fender had a hard smack right on the crease, I beat it out and it has a lot of bondo in it. THe worse part about the fenders is they are messed up where the doors meet (slightly pushed in) and around the fender wells they are slighty bent up in various spots. These kinds of repairs are beyond my relm of abilities. The doors are beginning to seperate on the bottom (inner and outer skins), they have nasty speaker holes cut out, and the driverside hinge area cracked apart and has been welded back together 3 times. My stuff "could" be fixed, but I'm not that good. She will never be more than a nice driver. I don't aspire to have a show truck (I have neither the money nor "expert" skills to make it so)

Thanks for the input everyone, anyone else?

[Blue4x4]

My personnal experence with Goodmark fenders, doors and tail gates was horiable. Do the rite thing and look for used original parts. They fit better, and need the same amount of work. If you are looking for something just to throw on there and are not worried about the gaps, or curve lines.....go for it.

[KCW]

Goodmark Sheet metal doesnt always fit. Before I start let me just say that our trucks are not like trucks of today. Interchangability wasnt good. I put a cowl hood on my 72 GMC....fit pretty good so I ordered doors, fenders, bed sides and gates.
The doors are noticably lighter than the stock doors. They have a different body line than the stock one....the crease towards the bottom of the door is much sharper at the brake......gaps were horrible! I went back to the stock doors and patch paneled them. Junked the doors and fenders as Goodmark was not willing to make it right. The bed sides needed some massaging at the gate opening to allow the gate to work properly. I needed to section one of them to align it properly. The head gate was a too short so I had to section in another piece to make it fit. The sad thing is I went into this project thinking Goodmark was the best. I have bought just about everything that goodmark sells in preparation for the restoration of my truck and am going to salvage what I can and scrap the rest of the junk. Good Luck with Goodmark!