Burb Body panels

[clemracer]

What is the correct Replacement panel for a 1972 Suburban for the rear of rear wheel opening? GMC Paul’s say the Fleet side panels will not work and you need to use Blazer patch panels is this correct. Where is the best place to get them?
Thanks Jeff

[1969k10stepside]

Welcome to the site,what part of indy are you in?

[clemracer]

Greenfield

[CG]

Wes from Classic Heartbeat has em. At least I think these are what you are looking for. He has a bunch of burb and panel patch panels available.

http://classicheartbeat.com/catalog/...er%20Patch.htm

If this doesnt get you enough of what you are trying to repair or Im in the wrong area. You can build panels using blazer panels and rocker panels to patch it up like you need.

Mark

[67subslead]

clemracer i have looked for panels to for my 67 suburban . i cut a wheel arch out of a 72 chevy long bed truck. i bought doors; rockers; lower rear panels; lower front panels from gmc pauls repop TAIWAN they do not fit right. you have to do alot of cut and welding. good luck

[clemracer]

Thanks for the info for the panels on classic heartbeat that is what I am looking for.
Also thanks for the warning on the Taiwan panels

[GMCPaul]

Every Suburban patch panel is manufactured by Tri-Plus which is a Taiwan company, Classic Heartbeat & ourselves both carry these parts from Tri-Plus.
I've installed both the rear lower rear patch & taillight patch myself and found both parts to be very good, you'll only have problems if you cut away to much or fail to properly align the cuts, the rear lower patch I installed was a perfect replacement and the only problem area on taillight piece was they could have made flange where it wraps around the door jamb longer as it only laps about 1/2-2/3rds of the distance of the originals.
If someone feels they fit poorly I would have to say the problem lay in the installation of part by installer not the part its self.
If you pick your parts up in person I have Suburbans & Panel trucks both in the parking lot you can compare these pieces on.
In regards to them being Taiwan parts you are correct, they are 19gauge, and manufactured by Tri-Plus, who produces 80% of the GM restoration parts available and is considered one of the leading manufactures in the world.
GMCPaul

[71Chev]

clem,

"1972 Suburban for the rear of rear wheel opening"

It's the front, of the rear wheel opening you need to use the blazer front lower 1/4 patch panel for on a suburban/panel.. not the rear.

blazer front lwr 1/4, fleetside upper wheel arch, & suburban rear lower, will get the complete correct wheel arch for the suburban/panels.

[special-K]

All I can say is restoration body work is no bolt-on procedure.One you start cutting sections of body out of a vehicle the shape changes.A certain amount of metalworking skills is required,like stretching,shrinking,radiusing,stepping/flanging,and general dollying.That`s why many body shops steer from restoration for any amount of money.The mony`s there.They don`t have the skills.It`s a challenge and you must be prepared for some metal-beating to make things work.
Tri-plus is the biggest,not always the best.But,they make parts that others don`t make so often there`s no choice.

[67subslead]

71 chev
you are right. but on that blazer front lower 1/4 patch panel you still have to weld a rocker panel to the bottom of it to make it look correct.

[Classic Heartbeat]

If you want to check the fit for the rear lower quarters or taillight section, you can see it on my 67 Panel Project page. (judge for yourself. Just like Paul, we found that they are a great fit.) Lots there to see and read about!! Here is a link: http://www.classicheartbeat.com/67_panel_project.htm WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com