Quality aftermarket fenders?

[Joyridin]

I know this has been asked, but looking through the threads doesn't really give a good answer.

What brands are pretty good and which ones are junk? I noticed one retailer advertising "new dies" so their fenders fit better, but who knows.

OEM ones are out as it is about impossible to find a good one in my section of the country.

[howzzzit]

I'm not a fan of aftermarket sheet metal anything. I needed a right front fender and yes it took quite a bit of searching, but I found one. Had a body shop fix it up and it bolted right on. The problem with anything after market is number one the metal is thinner. Number two the holes never seem to line up. My bed tubs were off, a replacement front inner fender was off, and a replacement bed front was so far screwed up I hand my original fixed up. The only sheet metal I've purchased that seemed to be correct is the bed floor. Look for fenders on Marketplace. I see them on there. I had a supplier actually tell me the aftermarket fenders are crap and he sells them. Maybe others know where to get the good stuff.

[Joyridin]

Originally Posted by howzzzit

I'm not a fan of aftermarket sheet metal anything. I needed a right front fender and yes it took quite a bit of searching, but I found one. Had a body shop fix it up and it bolted right on. The problem with anything after market is number one the metal is thinner. Number two the holes never seem to line up. My bed tubs were off, a replacement front inner fender was off, and a replacement bed front was so far screwed up I hand my original fixed up. The only sheet metal I've purchased that seemed to be correct is the bed floor. Look for fenders on Marketplace. I see them on there. I had a supplier actually tell me the aftermarket fenders are crap and he sells them. Maybe others know where to get the good stuff.

I have been looking for ages now. 68 DS front fender is not easy to come by.

[Fbks_Cruiser]

Don't forget 1968 Chevy fenders = 1968-1972 GMC fenders.

[Wikid61]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...e-da265bd50600

[Wikid61]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...e-da265bd50600 This guy may know someone that has what you need, a good used OG metal.

[ghackett1]

FWIW I needed both fenders for the 68, couldn’t find NOS or good used parts so I went aftermarket and I’m in South Florida so the product price plus shipping was high. But I have to say they arrived packed well and not damaged AND most importantly they lined up and fit fine. From what I remember the holes in the front where the grille attaches on the sides had to be slightly elongated but that was no big deal and should be expected to some minimal extent. I scuffed them up with a maroon pad, shot them and they look really good.

[Joyridin]

Originally Posted by ghackett1

FWIW I needed both fenders for the 68, couldn’t find NOS or good used parts so I went aftermarket and I’m in South Florida so the product price plus shipping was high. But I have to say they arrived packed well and not damaged AND most importantly they lined up and fit fine. From what I remember the holes in the front where the grille attaches on the sides had to be slightly elongated but that was no big deal and should be expected to some minimal extent. I scuffed them up with a maroon pad, shot them and they look really good.

What brand were they?

[ghackett1]

Originally Posted by Joyridin

What brand were they?

JL Fabrication
Harrisonburg VA.

[Joyridin]

Originally Posted by ghackett1

JL Fabrication
Harrisonburg VA.

Thanks! They are Keyparts brand.

[Guy67UK]

Originally Posted by ghackett1

FWIW I needed both fenders for the 68, couldn’t find NOS or good used parts so I went aftermarket and I’m in South Florida so the product price plus shipping was high. But I have to say they arrived packed well and not damaged AND most importantly they lined up and fit fine. From what I remember the holes in the front where the grille attaches on the sides had to be slightly elongated but that was no big deal and should be expected to some minimal extent. I scuffed them up with a maroon pad, shot them and they look really good.

You thought that was expensive, I'm in the UK and had to ship both fenders over and cost with shipping over a $1500 for the pair landed but plus the import tax and duty currently at about 28% and then have the paint shop spend in excess of 40 hours getting them to line up. The Drivers side fender was over a 1/4" longer than the PS fender one drilled for the headlight surround, one not. Being over here means I don't have the luxury of being able to source good original fenders or other parts.

[Joyridin]

Originally Posted by Wikid61

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...e-da265bd50600 This guy may know someone that has what you need, a good used OG metal.

Contacted them already. If I wanted 69-72 fenders, I could have 20 sets by now.

I spend more time on FB writing to people about stuff they have for sale and finding out it is a scam than I do actually buying items. They send you pictures and write back, then ask you pay in full so they will hold it. One guy even gave me a real address. I had one of my salesmen that lives near there (a 3.5 hour drive for me) stop at the place. The guy had about 20 cars laying all around, but no truck fenders. He said my guy was the 3rd person he had stop. The scammer was giving out an address and ripping people off.