Why can't parts ever just fit? I need your help... *pictures*

[keanevann]

So.... I bought this bed floor patch panel from Classic Industries to fix a hole the previous owner put in the bed floor for a Fuel Cell. Guess what...... not even close!!! I need to know if anyone here has bought a bed patch that fit? If so can you tell me where you got it? Thanks.

[bucketObolts]

Well there's your problem.... says Made In Taiwan. Sorry for your troubles.

[keanevann]

Haha yeah i still don't get how you can build Reproduction parts somewhere where there is not even an example of the part you are reproducing..... Any idea who makes one that fits?

[ls1nova71]

Originally Posted by keanevann

... Any idea who makes one that fits?

GM makes one that fits, you'll have to cut it out of another floor, but it would fit. I've never had a Taiwan patch panel fit without alot of persuasion.
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[LockDoc]

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I wonder how it would fit in a '73 up bed. If you have one close try it and let us know. Maybe that's what it is made for and they just pawn it off as being for our trucks instead of making the right one. Just a thought.

LockDoc

[70cst]

The best fix is keep your eyes open for a used bed floor that is beyond being used as a whole and see if you can purchase a section of the bed floor. Or become a member and do a WTB and I'll bet someone has a good used section that they would sell. I am not sure if there is a good repop patch avaliable. I''m signed on. Best of luck.

[ETsC10]

Well, I can't be a ray of sunshine either.

If you don't get any good answers, I have some patch panels at
home and I'll test one against the trucks in the yard tomorrow.

I wonder if the decks varied from year to year?

[bucketObolts]

Yea sorry I'm going to be of no help either. I cut holes in bed floors for 4 links, and axles. I don't try to patch them. But be patient someone will know the answer. Your definitely not the first this has happened to.
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[treveiger]

Not sure but id try one of the board vendors. I always heard that there not a exact match but looks "close enough"

[stich626]

try pushing it in the grooves and see if it lines up better,,

[keanevann]

I tried everything man....its the little angled edges... theyre too long and the wrong angle...

[passthebuck]

I had a bad time with my bedfloor. It was before they offered a complete bedfloor & I ended up doing a ton of work. Couldnt get the patch i bought to fit (it was totally wrong like yours is) & I had to get a donor bedfloor to cut patches from.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...&highlight=bed

[70shortfleet]

Here's one on ebay that looks like it fits pretty well from the picturehttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RUST-...item3a535fae60

[keanevann]

bucketObolts: Yeah, Im actually in the process of raising the bed floor for my C notch.... I dont like leaving holes.... I still use mine as a truck.


70 Short Fleet: You're right that panel looks like it fits great. The picture looks like a late 60's ford bed though....

[bucketObolts]

[QUOTE=keanevann;4571969]bucketObolts: Yeah, Im actually in the process of raising the bed floor for my C notch.... I dont like leaving holes.... I still use mine as a truck.

No, not permanent holes of course but i built a cab back frame so I have no notch, that way I can still have a floor with no hump, the bed is just going to be shallower. But I did cut my floor out as a whole so i can just weld it back in, but probably going with wood anyway. Good luck on yours, hopefully it goes smoother for you

[colin_havens]

That sucks they dont fit, but Im not surprised. I used to work as a paint and body man, and our shop hated using aftermarket panels. From what my old boss told me, there has to be 17 differences in a panel from an origional to not infringe on the patent for that stamping. You can imagine hwo hard it would be to make a fender look like an origional, yet have 17 differences. A bed floor patch panel has even less to work with, so Im not surprised it was off. I almost bought some patch panels to make my notch cover out of, till i realised they would not line up like you would think they would. Your best bet would be to either purchase a full bed floor (pricy, but at least all the ribs would line up) or find a junk bed with a somewhat good floor in it, and cut your patch panel from it.

Also, maybe someone on here has had better luck with bed floor patch panels, but all I ever read is they did not line up. Good luck with it.

[Classic Heartbeat]

Those bed floor patches are just generic patches. We warn our customers about them. If you want patches that fit your floor you have to buy the new bed floor halves. More expencive and more waste but they do fit. WES

[Demonspeed13]

It looks like it is upside down in the pic . The top of the raised ribs is more narrow than the bottom part . If you look at the pic good you might see what I'm talkin about .Try flipping it over if you haven't already .

[passthebuck]

Some of my donor patches I cut out, I turned over. The factory "waves" are the same either way...

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by keanevann

So.... I bought this bed floor patch panel from Classic Industries to fix a hole the previous owner put in the bed floor for a Fuel Cell. Guess what...... not even close!!! I need to know if anyone here has bought a bed patch that fit? If so can you tell me where you got it? Thanks.

Sherman has the parts shown in the photo below. http://www.shermanparts.com
The two panels 46 & 47 make up theentire bed floor

[chevy71super]

I live in Simi Valley and have an 8' bed floor you can have if you come and get it. I was going to use it for patching. I only need a small 12" chunk (my neighbor has a plazma cutter) and you can have the rest if you haul it off. Doug