Body Molding Question

[hart11b]

I've searched and looked at all the old threads here and couldn't find the answer about body molding, upper and lower.

I'm looking to buy upper and lower (black) molding for my 1972 K20. My truck is not and will never be a show truck, but it is a nice looking truck and a daily driver. I don't want molding that is a big POS and regret buying it.

Ecklers currently has a sale running this weekend and I can pick up upper and lower molding for right at $500 shipped.

I know Mar-K is the highest quality, but is going to run a little over $1000 for everything.

The $500 difference is big money and I can fund other projects with that money.

My question is this. Has anyone seen both Mar-K and the import stuff (I heard all the cheap molding comes from the same overseas company) and can attest to the difference in quality? Any inputs are appreciated.

For my Daily Driver I want something nice, but again, it is not a show truck.

[Square_78]

If I was building a $70k show truck then sure get the best moldings. For a daily driver get the $500 moldings. They are all made of anodized aluminum so there is no reason for the $500 price difference. I got mine used for $40 and repainted and cleaned them up and they look really good.
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[Evaded]

^This^ Wow $40 for the whole set..great deal! Any pics of before and after?

[Sklptrljay]

Brothers doesn't advertise it, but they sell Mar-k at a better price than Mar-k! I just got all mine for $640

[hart11b]

Originally Posted by Sklptrljay

Brothers doesn't advertise it, but they sell Mar-k at a better price than Mar-k! I just got all mine for $640

That sounds pretty good. I'm definitely checking in to that.

[hart11b]

Originally Posted by Sklptrljay

Brothers doesn't advertise it, but they sell Mar-k at a better price than Mar-k! I just got all mine for $640

Is the molding they advertise Mar-K? You'd think it would say, "Made in the USA" or something like that. Unfortunately, they won't be open until Tuesday and Eckler's 15% sale ends Monday.

[Sklptrljay]

Is the molding they advertise Mar-K? You'd think it would say, "Made in the USA" or something like that. Unfortunately, they won't be open until Tuesday and Eckler's 15% sale ends Monday.


They don't mention it in the catalog, but if you call they will tell you.

[DeadheadNM]

With black you're probably OK w import trim. The woodgrain could be a prob over time. I bought a repro woodgrain tailgate band from LMC for my K10 that quickly began to fade and shrink due to sun exposure. After a year it looked worse than the 40 plus year-old band I swapped it for. Also, if you're handy think about using the 70 and below clips to affix the molding rather than what GM did for 71-72, which used a combo of clips and adhesive stickers. The repro adhesive clips set the molding away from the body too much in my opinion and it doesn't look right. You have to add extra holes in the sheet metal like the 70 and below trucks had but that's no big deal. I went this route on my K20 build linked in my signature below....

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by Sklptrljay

Brothers doesn't advertise it, but they sell Mar-k at a better price than Mar-k! I just got all mine for $640

I just ordered a kit from Brothers because I thought this was true...it isn't. Went into brothers yesterday to pick it up, they were a mix and match of various manufacturers. They told me it all comes from the same manufacturer anyways...I was told on the phone I would be getting a Mar-K kit. Not the case...personally I feel like it was a bait and switch. I got my money back.
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[Sklptrljay]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

I just ordered a kit from Brothers because I thought this was true...it isn't. Went into brothers yesterday to pick it up, they were a mix and match of various manufacturers. They told me it all comes from the same manufacturer anyways...I was told on the phone I would be getting a Mar-K kit. Not the case...personally I feel like it was a bait and switch. I got my money back.
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Really? I was speaking about the side molding only, mine all came from mar-k. I can't say what other trim might be. That's troublesome.

[Square_78]

Originally Posted by Evaded

^This^ Wow $40 for the whole set..great deal! Any pics of before and after?

Yes lots of pics. Check the link I'm my signature. I bought them used off the forum here in the sales section.
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[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by Sklptrljay

Really? I was speaking about the side molding only, mine all came from mar-k. I can't say what other trim might be. That's troublesome.

I am talking about upper and lower trim for a 69-72 truck with the lower woodgrain. I have read posts on here, and was told on the phone when I placed my order that I was getting the complete kit, and that it was coming directly from Mar-K. When I got there to pick it up, not only was the trim in generic unmarked bags, they were wrapping the lower black pieces with woodgrain tape. Has anybody else had to wrap their own Mar-K trim!? I was also told that it all comes from the same manufacturer anyways, so that it doesn't really matter.
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[WIDESIDE72]

A few years ago my brother replaced all of his on his 72 Cheyenne. It took years of searching to piece together a good set. Every time he would see a pole at a swap meet he would buy them. He ended up with a few duplicates that he hung on to for spares. You can usually tell the 71-72 poeces because they will ne nice and straight with a screw hole in them from the p.o. "fixing" the adhesive fastener that failed. Most of his originals were like that too. We went with the pre 70 no adhesive fasteners.
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[turp mcspray]

I bought a set from Classic Industries, a few years ago for a customers truck. They are "counter part". I had those, a set from Mar-k, and gm, all setting side by side. GM were the worst looking (tooling and stamp marks). With the other two side by side, you could see a slight difference. The Mar-k were a little nicer, but not enough to know the difference without being side by side to compare. I would by the cheaper ones, and spend the difference on other parts you need.

[hart11b]

Thanks for everyone's input, especially the side-by-side comparisons. I bought the set from Eckler's for $500 shipped (upper and lower in black). I'll post up some pics when I get them. Eckler's set was the cheapest around with the 15% Memorial Day sale.