Repro front bed panels that don't fit??????

[Slammed67]

I bought a repro front bed panel from Jim Carter's a few weeks ago. I went to install it and the damn thing was 3/16" too short (from top to bottom)! With it bolted to the bed floor, there was about a 3/16" gap between the top of the panel and the bed rails. Unfortunately, I had already modified it to fit my raised bed floor so I couldn't just take it back. Silly me assumed it would be the same size as a OEM panel. Ha, what was I thinking?? Anyway, I had to re-modify it to fit correctly which was a pain in the ass. I believe the panel was made by Tri-Plus. Anyone else have this problem?

I also had a similar issue with the repro bed sides I purchased from Chevy Duty. With the bed installed, the lower half of the front edge of the driver's side bed side didn't line up with the cab. It looked like it was pushed inwards as I looked down the side of the truck. I had to drill out the spot welds along the front edge of the panel and push it outwards about 1/4" so everything would line up. Anyone else have this problem???

It just pisses me off when I shell out big money for these "reproduction" pieces and end up having to make major modifications to make them fit. I know all repro stuff requires a little work, but this is ridiculous.



Oh, I am in no way bashing Jim Carter's...... I've had nothing but good experiences dealing with them

[dmec]

when i read storys like this it makes me wonder why good straight rust free sheet metal shouldnt be worth as much as aftermarket junk, if not more.

[68speedalert]

I'm not sure about the fleetsides, but we were able to get a stepside front panel and tailgate, with 'Chevrolet' stamped from our gm dealer. As good price and no shipping!

Course, they still may not fit and better.

Steve

[Deuce]

I think there is a hieght difference between the wood floor and the steel floor when it comes to box front panels?? They are different part#'s

[cdowns]

i got mine for a steel floor from LMC and it fit perfectly although it seemed to be somewhat lighter gauge metal than the original
and yes the wood and steel floor front bed panels are different

[Slammed67]

I'm 99.9% sure the one I bought was for a steel floor. I would assume that the wood floor front panels are about 3/4" taller than the steel ones due to the wood thickness?

[superchevy]

I just bought a front bed panel from Mar-K in Oklahoma. Paid $150 because I thought that since they make them in-house, it would fit right...well, I was wrong. It also is about 3/16" too short at the top where the inside "rolled" edge of the panel should fit up, underneath the bedside rail. I think my bed cover wiil cover the gap when it's installed, but, man was I dissappointed.
So much for "Made in America" quality, huh?
SC

[Truck Hippy]

I have nevre understood this. When I run across good rust free parts, I can't sell them but I hear peopl having bad luck with over priced repo stuff. A friend of mine bought a repo door just after they first came out and he said in order to make work on the cab, you would have to saw off the top and make it fit. He took it back. Wes.

[72MARIO]

I bought a MAR-K Front bed pannel from Bills Truck Shop here in Ontario Canada and it was for a wood floor. It fit Perfect ! I was very impressed. I has been the only no modifaction fit part I have bought yet.

[Randy70C-10]

I got mine from Tim Christian, fits great.