Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ATT · 12-28-2008, 09:34 PM

I was thinking about getting a complete new front clip. 2 fenders, cowl hood, and radiator support. How is the fitment on them. Does anyone have pictures of one they have put together. Any help. Thanks.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 12-28-2008, 09:45 PM

Here is a complete front clip with cowl hood installed, painted and truck now sold.. All parts are ones that we sell. WES

**Classic Heartbeat** · 12-28-2008, 09:46 PM

Sorry for the bad picture, but that is what my program does when it shrinks pictures. WES

thirdstreettito · 12-28-2008, 09:46 PM

Usually they need a bunch of edge trimming from what I have heard.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 12-28-2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Usually they need a bunch of edge trimming from what I have heard.

No trimming on the truck above. WES

ChevLoRay · 12-28-2008, 09:49 PM

...and no discredit to Wes, but seldom will you find any aftermarket panels that won't need a little tweaking to make the fit what it should be. The shipment of the parts will always result in the need for some adjusting as you install them. Heck, it says so on the parts/invoices that I have seen.

Just be prepared to make those adjustments that you will have to make and accept that they aren't GM parts and are made by some Taiwanese factory.

ATT · 12-28-2008, 09:59 PM

Thanks for the info. I wish I could find some good original GM that is not filled with bondo.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 12-28-2008, 10:00 PM

Most GM parts need tweeking also. These are trucks and GM built them that way. So if you want perfect body lines you will have lots of work to do. The front clip that went on the Garden truck did not require any cutting and if I remember correctly I only had to slot one hole and that was in the Chrome plated steel grill because I wanted another 1/6" clearence for the hood to improve that line. Here is a better picture I hope. WES

Gray Ghost · 12-28-2008, 10:12 PM

Beautiful truck Wes!!

SuperJerrC10 · 12-28-2008, 10:21 PM

GREAT lookin truck. Makes me like my front end alittle more.

Jerr

**72 Super** · 12-28-2008, 10:38 PM

Wes, that was a good looking truck. You must really had your sights on a better project.

ATT · 12-29-2008, 12:23 AM

Thanks for the pictures WES. That is a good looking truck.

**special-K** · 12-29-2008, 08:10 AM

The fact is.If you took a perfectly fitting original clip off a truck,when you put it back on you`ll need to do some tweeking.You don`t just bolt it on.What do people "trim" when installing some aftermarket metal other than egging out mounting holes?Any edge that meets with other body panels is hemmed or rolled.It would not be as simple as trimming an edge if it didn`t fit.
I can`t speak from personal experience so I really can`t comment on aftermarket fit.I do still find old OEM that isn`t full of bondo,though.

cdowns · 12-29-2008, 09:00 AM

the quality of the fit is mostly a result of the skill patience and imagination of the person doing the installing

m6z · 12-29-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

the quality of the fit is mostly a result of the skill patience and imagination of the person doing the installing

I would have to agree with this. Everything, weather factory or aftermarket is going to take some time to make it all line up.

Sinister · 12-29-2008, 11:38 AM

I replaced both front fenders and grill with aftermarket stuff. Fit wasn't too bad, I think like 2 bolt holes didn't line up.

mbgmike · 12-29-2008, 05:23 PM

Every truck is a little different. They are old and well used. Sometimes they are in real decent shape. We have had to trim some parts at times, even fenders on the inner brace at the back. Most all work takes some skill to line eveything up. Factory parts and aftermarket as stated earlier both require adjustment. Its true for 50 year old trucks and late model cars and trucks also. You have to have patience sometimes and we have guys in the shop sometimes that don't take the time and ***** cause it won't fit. Most of the time we can get it to work. Sometimes the aftermarket fender is not made correct and we need to swap them out for another one. Its true with all aftermarket mfg's. Sometimes the part will not have the edge rolled over the brace correct. We go through this all year long. Thats why its best to buy your parts locally if you can. Mainly the larger panels.We can generally make anything work correct

PanelDeland · 12-29-2008, 05:35 PM

What they said.Also I will add that if you know an expert bodyman you know someone who has learned the tips and tricks to make it work.Some bodymen keep a 2X4 padded with carpet for lining stuff up.It's just one of the things old vehiclesrequire.They kinda settle like your granny's house.

*Cunit69* · 12-29-2008, 06:16 PM

Who makes the best fitting fenders, and who sells them?

**Classic Heartbeat** · 12-29-2008, 06:30 PM

Thanks for the compliments guys. I have a couple of projects going on, but the main one is my 67 panel. I decided that it was just setting around and wasn't being enjoyed like it should be, so I put it up for sale and sold it. I couldn't take it if someone would have dammaged it while I was driving it. You would have had to bail me out of jail. The new owner just has dollars invested in it and drives it every day now, even in the snow!!

If he wrecks it he will fix it, but it isn't as personal to him as was me.

The best fitting fenders are manufacture by a company called Triplus. We sell Triplus stuff. WES

ATT · 12-29-2008, 07:10 PM

Thanks for all the comments. I just thought I would check here first before I bought anything. This is the best site in the world.

texastrendz · 12-29-2008, 08:20 PM

oe parts still need massaging in my book, clean lines were not a big concern in the years of these trucks.

trucks72 · 12-29-2008, 10:15 PM

Alot of the stuff fits good. The only problem I have found is the curve of the hoods are not the same as the fenders. A rubber hammer and 2x4 will fix that.

Premium72 · 12-30-2008, 12:45 AM

all aftermarket sheetmetal needs a lil finagleing..but should be okay if you go with a decent company.

bad6772 · 12-30-2008, 12:53 AM

Not all do...There are to many things to consider ...

12-28-2008, 09:34 PM	#1
ATT Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Manchester, TN Posts: 136	Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. I was thinking about getting a complete new front clip. 2 fenders, cowl hood, and radiator support. How is the fitment on them. Does anyone have pictures of one they have put together. Any help. Thanks.

12-28-2008, 09:45 PM	#2
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. Here is a complete front clip with cowl hood installed, painted and truck now sold.. All parts are ones that we sell. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

12-28-2008, 09:46 PM	#3
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. Sorry for the bad picture, but that is what my program does when it shrinks pictures. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

12-28-2008, 09:46 PM	#4
thirdstreettito Resident of Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL, USA Posts: 7,716	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. Usually they need a bunch of edge trimming from what I have heard. __________________ ~Bradley~ 2004 Black GTO LS2/T56 too much to list Miss having a truck

12-28-2008, 09:49 PM	#6
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. ...and no discredit to Wes, but seldom will you find any aftermarket panels that won't need a little tweaking to make the fit what it should be. The shipment of the parts will always result in the need for some adjusting as you install them. Heck, it says so on the parts/invoices that I have seen. Just be prepared to make those adjustments that you will have to make and accept that they aren't GM parts and are made by some Taiwanese factory. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

12-28-2008, 09:59 PM	#7
ATT Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Manchester, TN Posts: 136	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. Thanks for the info. I wish I could find some good original GM that is not filled with bondo.

12-28-2008, 10:00 PM	#8
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. Most GM parts need tweeking also. These are trucks and GM built them that way. So if you want perfect body lines you will have lots of work to do. The front clip that went on the Garden truck did not require any cutting and if I remember correctly I only had to slot one hole and that was in the Chrome plated steel grill because I wanted another 1/6" clearence for the hood to improve that line. Here is a better picture I hope. WES Attached Images __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

12-28-2008, 10:12 PM	#9
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. Beautiful truck Wes!! __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps.

12-28-2008, 10:21 PM	#10
SuperJerrC10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Santa Clarita, Ca Posts: 13	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. GREAT lookin truck. Makes me like my front end alittle more. Jerr Last edited by SuperJerrC10; 12-28-2008 at 10:25 PM.

12-28-2008, 10:38 PM	#11
72 Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hyattsville, Maryland Posts: 3,682	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. Wes, that was a good looking truck. You must really had your sights on a better project. __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super (Purchased new by my parents in August of 71) Black and White

12-29-2008, 12:23 AM	#12
ATT Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Manchester, TN Posts: 136	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. Thanks for the pictures WES. That is a good looking truck.

12-29-2008, 08:10 AM	#13
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. The fact is.If you took a perfectly fitting original clip off a truck,when you put it back on you`ll need to do some tweeking.You don`t just bolt it on.What do people "trim" when installing some aftermarket metal other than egging out mounting holes?Any edge that meets with other body panels is hemmed or rolled.It would not be as simple as trimming an edge if it didn`t fit. I can`t speak from personal experience so I really can`t comment on aftermarket fit.I do still find old OEM that isn`t full of bondo,though. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 12-29-2008 at 08:18 AM.

12-29-2008, 09:00 AM	#14
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. the quality of the fit is mostly a result of the skill patience and imagination of the person doing the installing __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

12-29-2008, 11:38 AM	#16
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. I replaced both front fenders and grill with aftermarket stuff. Fit wasn't too bad, I think like 2 bolt holes didn't line up. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

12-29-2008, 05:23 PM	#17
mbgmike Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR Posts: 5,415	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. Every truck is a little different. They are old and well used. Sometimes they are in real decent shape. We have had to trim some parts at times, even fenders on the inner brace at the back. Most all work takes some skill to line eveything up. Factory parts and aftermarket as stated earlier both require adjustment. Its true for 50 year old trucks and late model cars and trucks also. You have to have patience sometimes and we have guys in the shop sometimes that don't take the time and ***** cause it won't fit. Most of the time we can get it to work. Sometimes the aftermarket fender is not made correct and we need to swap them out for another one. Its true with all aftermarket mfg's. Sometimes the part will not have the edge rolled over the brace correct. We go through this all year long. Thats why its best to buy your parts locally if you can. Mainly the larger panels.We can generally make anything work correct



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12-29-2008, 05:35 PM	#18
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. What they said.Also I will add that if you know an expert bodyman you know someone who has learned the tips and tricks to make it work.Some bodymen keep a 2X4 padded with carpet for lining stuff up.It's just one of the things old vehiclesrequire.They kinda settle like your granny's house. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

12-29-2008, 06:16 PM	#19
Cunit69 Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Burnet Texas Posts: 121	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. Who makes the best fitting fenders, and who sells them?

12-29-2008, 06:30 PM	#20
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. Thanks for the compliments guys. I have a couple of projects going on, but the main one is my 67 panel. I decided that it was just setting around and wasn't being enjoyed like it should be, so I put it up for sale and sold it. I couldn't take it if someone would have dammaged it while I was driving it. You would have had to bail me out of jail. The new owner just has dollars invested in it and drives it every day now, even in the snow!! If he wrecks it he will fix it, but it isn't as personal to him as was me. The best fitting fenders are manufacture by a company called Triplus. We sell Triplus stuff. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys Last edited by Classic Heartbeat; 12-29-2008 at 06:31 PM.

12-29-2008, 07:10 PM	#21
ATT Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Manchester, TN Posts: 136	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. Thanks for all the comments. I just thought I would check here first before I bought anything. This is the best site in the world.

12-29-2008, 08:20 PM	#22
texastrendz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HOUSTON TX Posts: 1,161	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. oe parts still need massaging in my book, clean lines were not a big concern in the years of these trucks.

12-29-2008, 10:15 PM	#23
trucks72 trucks72 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Crossville Posts: 315	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. Alot of the stuff fits good. The only problem I have found is the curve of the hoods are not the same as the fenders. A rubber hammer and 2x4 will fix that.

12-30-2008, 12:45 AM	#24
Premium72 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Villa Rica Ga Posts: 889	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. all aftermarket sheetmetal needs a lil finagleing..but should be okay if you go with a decent company. __________________ WombatFire, Art-Design-MADNESS Follow My Build and Adventures on Instagram

12-30-2008, 12:53 AM	#25
bad6772 Official Site Guitar Shredder Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 3,955	Re: Aftermarket front clip. How do they fit. Not all do...There are to many things to consider ...

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