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#1 |
71 Chevy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Posts: 83
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Patch Panel
I am going to be ordering a bunch of patch panels and would like opinions. Who has the best quality patch panels LMC, GMC Pauls or MotherTruckers?
Thanks for the help.
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71 C10 72 C20 62 Chevy II 2DR HT |
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#2 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MA
Posts: 91
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Re: Patch Panel
I just got all mine from LMC I think they are all pretty much the same product...
another good parts store is jim carters... http://www.oldchevytrucks.biz/jcindex.htm |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 68
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Re: Patch Panel
I bought a bunch from LMC and did not like them very much at all. The door pillars didnt fit at all, very different dimensions than the parts that came off. I do agree that most all of these reproduction parts are probally made in Taiwan nowdays.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Lemon Grove, California
Posts: 152
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Re: Patch Panel
If you don't make your own or get real lucky and find older ones made in USA, then it looks like you're stuck with the cheap flimsy chineese crap that all vendors are pushing. Some will say on their websites that they sell the good ones but that is just B.S. it's all crap compared to GM metal. There was a couple of earlier threads about this subject. What I got out of it was there is some manufacturers/distributors organization that some vendors belong to and they were going to talk to some overseas company president about quality issues.Right. Ain't going to do no good.There all making money selling crappy parts. Seems like some of these vendors have no clue as to where their parts are from or they are flat out lying. many times a sales person will mumble that yeah their company makes the stuff here in US, that just ain't so. Google and call any of 'em if you don't believe it. Goodmark, Triplus,etc they are all the same.
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#5 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR
Posts: 5,415
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Re: Patch Panel
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#6 | |
Designated A-hole!
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: South Mississippi
Posts: 36,450
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Re: Patch Panel
Quote:
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"If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. ![]() We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck" Last edited by krue; 06-19-2006 at 08:04 PM. |
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#7 | |
Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires
![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 23,090
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Re: Patch Panel
Quote:
I'll give you a hint. Both front fenders, inner fenders, and doors. Don't knock it until you've tried it. All the research in the world means nothing to me if you have NO experience with the parts yourself. Did you know GM's tolerance on parts from 67-72 was + or - .2" thats a pretty crappy fit if you ask me. Ever heard of project Copperhead built by Stacy David on TRUCKS!? The truck was 100% repop except for the cab and frame. You have to "make" some of these parts fit. These trucks are almost 40 years old, nothing is going to fit perfect the first time out of the box.
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Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride ![]() American Born, Country by the Grace of God ![]() 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! |
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#8 | |
no brain no headache
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Cape Cod MA
Posts: 567
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Re: Patch Panel
Quote:
signed and notarized ![]() ![]()
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1996 GMC Sierra z71 ![]() 1970 SWB 2wd (project) ![]() Last edited by 70c10swb; 06-22-2006 at 08:09 PM. |
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#9 |
State of Confusion!
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 46,904
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Re: Patch Panel
GMC Paul's, Mother Truckers, Tim Christian, Wes or any of the other board vendors are way better than LMC.
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Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! |
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Murray, Kentucky
Posts: 3,483
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Re: Patch Panel
In my limited experience you can not get patch panels and expect them to fit perfectly without tweaking them some. If this is what you expect you will be disappointed.
I'm a big fan of patch panels, but even the best ones will need tweaking... Rg
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#11 |
collector of vintage rust
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: southern ohio
Posts: 421
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Re: Patch Panel
lmc has really crappy customer service. I would support the vendors on this board. They all seem really willing to help or assist as needed.
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#12 |
GMCDAC
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Rapid City, SD
Posts: 837
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Re: Patch Panel
Howdy-
I havent ordered patch panels yet, but I have ordered a lot of other stuff from LMC, and never had any service problems. The panels I need first tho are for my Jimmy not the pickup, but I felt compelled to respond to this anyway. I found the sheetmetal I need from Tabco and Mill Supply-stuff LMC doesnt have,(and everyone else I've checked) but havent ordered yet cause I was just reading to see if anybody has experiences with those companies. LMC and others doesnt carry Jimmy and shortbox rear-half box sides or lower rear rust panels. Has anyone ever dealt with those 2 suppliers? Later---DAC
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1970 GMC K5 Jimmy Custom 4X4 Mom's driver from 1971 to 2001!! Under rebuild! 1972 GMC C2500 Pickup owned since 1979 Needs a rest and refurbish! 1955 GMC 100 2nd design driven almost daily! Rest In Peace Mom. "Dolly" 7/15/23 - 5/18/09 GMC driver for 30 years! ![]() Last edited by 70gmcjimmy; 06-16-2006 at 08:29 PM. |
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#13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: northwestern wi
Posts: 2,111
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Re: Patch Panel
i bought a truck with some replacement panels from Gorden. the stepside tailgate was the thinest i have ever seen. the fenders seemed about the same as the goodmarks i have
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common sense isn't so common anymore |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Alberta
Posts: 316
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Re: Patch Panel
70gmcjimmy I haven't dealt directly with tabco but all their pieces I've used have been great as far as patch panels go. Theres still some tweaking to get everything to fit. Under no circumstances use anything Cross Canada.
Was also out tonight fitting some triplus cab corners, they're thicker than original but my passenger bodyline was stamped crooked from the lip that wraps around the B pillar |
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#15 |
GMCDAC
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Rapid City, SD
Posts: 837
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Re: Patch Panel
Thanks for the reply, TravisH.
Tabco is the one that has lower rear bedside Blazer patches, and Mill Supply has the complete rear half Blazer-shortbox bedside panels. If anyone is interested Mill Supply's website is www.rustrepair.com I dont have Tabco handy but I found it with a name search. I do wish the vendors here had those pieces but never found any with them. GMC Paul will be gettin some biz from me tho as his deal on front GMC bumpers is darn good, and I do believe in loyalty to site vendors. I havent been here long but its a great site! Later---DAC
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1970 GMC K5 Jimmy Custom 4X4 Mom's driver from 1971 to 2001!! Under rebuild! 1972 GMC C2500 Pickup owned since 1979 Needs a rest and refurbish! 1955 GMC 100 2nd design driven almost daily! Rest In Peace Mom. "Dolly" 7/15/23 - 5/18/09 GMC driver for 30 years! ![]() |
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#16 |
PROJECT 7DEUCE
![]() Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: GRANTS PASS OR
Posts: 21,608
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Re: Patch Panel
Try any of the board vendors and if you want ask them where the part is made the vendors on this site are NOT GONNA LIE TO YOU!!!!!! B.T.W I got mine from wes at classic heartbeat...
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GO BIG GREEN ![]() MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P.. |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Lemon Grove, California
Posts: 152
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Re: Patch Panel
mbgmike- A little jumpy there. After sharing some research, I really don't think that qualifies me as a know it all. After looking at your website it looks like you have sold your share of crappy overseas parts. Funny how you don't say the orgin of your stuff on there. Anyway, that's my point. Here you are , a vendor and everythings fine and dandy until someone questions the quality of your goods and now you are asking for an answer. Personally, for me it was given in the first part of my last post. Don't tell me you are the one that posted a pic of a couple of pallet loads of overseas parts and had no clue as to who made them. C'mon do your homework. You can find plenty of GM studies that show the inferior quality of CAPRA perlacement parts versus GM sheetmetal. I realize that stuff for older cars and trucks is no longer available from GM, just wish it was.
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#18 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR
Posts: 5,415
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Re: Patch Panel
Quote:
![]() WE PUT THESE REPRODUCTION PARTS ON TO BESIDES JUST SELL THEM. WE HAVE SOLD TABCO PARTS AND STILL HAVE SOME IN STOCK. |
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#19 |
State of Confusion!
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 46,904
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Re: Patch Panel
Let's keep it peaceable guys!
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Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! |
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#20 |
Cantankerous Geezer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bel Aire, KS
Posts: 6,264
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Re: Patch Panel
I've only used one patch panel, the upper cab piece that the visors and mirror sit on. The fit was great. Very little forming was required. Bought it locally from Bowtie Bits.
The newer panels being made in Taiwan are far better than the older ones. I agree, deal with GMCPauls, Wes, Tim and you won't go wrong. They not only support the board, but they are honest. And that goes a long way in my book. Most of the others mentioned have either lost my trust or never did anything to gain it. Lots of people on the Stovebolt board are very upset with LMC, Chevy Duty and Carter, and for good reason. They are supported by American Classic.
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Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine. ![]() |
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#21 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Rockville,In. USA
Posts: 3,720
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Re: Patch Panel
70gmcjimmy the tooling for the Blazer lower bedside halves is not 100& correct last we checked them they are missing the 1/8" rolled bead in wheel arch area on both front & rear patch panel and the rear one does not have the correct recessed area under the taillight area on it. Thus the reason we do not carry them.
GMCPaul |
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#22 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Rockville,In. USA
Posts: 3,720
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Re: Patch Panel
PS- Both Mill Supply & Tabco sell parts that are manufactured in Taiwan also, they do have a small line of american made restoration parts they make themselves for 67-72 trucks, bad news is on the american made floors, rockers, cab corners, etc is the tooling is extremely old that they are stamping them with so they have radiused bends instead of sharp crisp bends & body lines, and thus become a real fit to install and blend with your trucks body lines and bends on panels.
GMCPaul |
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#23 |
GMCDAC
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Rapid City, SD
Posts: 837
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Re: Patch Panel
Hey guys-
Boot85- hope ya dont think I'm tryin to hijack yer thread, but maybe the info here will be valuable to us all! GMCPaul- thanks a bunch for the info about the parts I wanted to order. I could probly dance around the taillight indentation situation, but that 1/8" bead missing in the wheel arch is a major concern! Here is a pic to show ya what is going on, and I haveta think its a pretty common problem. How are you dealing with needing to patch these areas on Jimmys, Blazers, shortbeds? Can a person use a piece from a longbox rust panel? The angles must be different because of length, but if the patch is short enuff would it work? Is the only choice to find a used piece, or the $$$ of NOS? There really isnt enuff meat on the foreward edge to weld a homemade piece in there, and save that bit of the wheelarch. I'm not building a showtruck here-gonna drive the heck out of it, but i dont want it crude either. Once again GMCPaul, I appreciate the info and look foreward to your advice! Later---DAC
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1970 GMC K5 Jimmy Custom 4X4 Mom's driver from 1971 to 2001!! Under rebuild! 1972 GMC C2500 Pickup owned since 1979 Needs a rest and refurbish! 1955 GMC 100 2nd design driven almost daily! Rest In Peace Mom. "Dolly" 7/15/23 - 5/18/09 GMC driver for 30 years! ![]() |
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#24 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR
Posts: 5,415
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Re: Patch Panel
Quote:
We can cut a patch panel out of an old bedside if you give us the dimensions you need. just pay the shipping |
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#25 | |
GMCDAC
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Rapid City, SD
Posts: 837
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Re: Patch Panel
Quote:
I will definitely get some dimensions, man! Thank you for the response. Probly wont have time till the weekend and I will contact you thru yer site. Lookin foreward to dealing with ya----DAC
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1970 GMC K5 Jimmy Custom 4X4 Mom's driver from 1971 to 2001!! Under rebuild! 1972 GMC C2500 Pickup owned since 1979 Needs a rest and refurbish! 1955 GMC 100 2nd design driven almost daily! Rest In Peace Mom. "Dolly" 7/15/23 - 5/18/09 GMC driver for 30 years! ![]() |
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