best resources for parts for panle truck

[chris mc bride]

Im getting ready to start a restoration of 1969 panel truck. I figure it will need lower rear section of fenders, one or both rear corners replaced and I know part of floor boards.
I figure to do total makeover of interior with some major custom touches. As for power train I plan to retain the 454 thats in in now was originaly a 396 truck ,engine was repalced around 1975 or so. It has been rebuilt but was done more to granfathers taste. The engine is easy part,oh yea might need to mention Ive been building pro drag race engines for 20 years everything from 454 chevy to blown injected hemis making 3000hp.
The body work is hard part for me. But figure heck Ive done everything else including total fabrication of dozen or so harleys including custom tanks and fenders and maching all parts other than main engine parts.
I'm looking for info on parts like new body panels,new chrome and suspenion parts. I plan to do total restoration body off and redoing frame and all suspenion.
If you have good lead on aftermarket parts let me know. I have most of the usual bigger name leads but figure theres plenty of smaller dealers that have good product at fair price.

[vectorit]

My experience with restoring my burb, is that not one vendor will have everything for the burb/panel trucks. There just isn't enough demand for them I suppose.

In my case, all the metal patch panels I had to use were produced for PU's. Like the rockers in the door jambs, everywhere else was done with flat sheet metal formed and then welded. Though in my case the rot wasn't to terribly bad.

Now a days, what with the existence of this board and it's for sale section. There are guys parting out burbs/panels, so getting one of those guys to cut a section out for you is always an option.
As for the vendors, they are now producing tail light quarters and other common rusty areas.

Best thing I can say to do with the vendors on the board, and the ones out and about the region. Is to have a list ready of the things you need, and email it to all of them and see what they can supply you.

Everything for your panels from the grill to the rear of the front door jambs is pretty much PU, except for the main glass and the glass frame. The guts and trim is the same, as well as the dash and front bench.

M&H sells the entire wiring harness for the burb/panel.
(Do not pull the rear harness out until you have the new one, since it's easier to use the old wire to pull through the new wire through the A pillar).

The guts for the rear doors, either barn or clam shell are hard to find. So if yours is still there, make sure not to lose or damage it.

Weatherstrip is made for these trucks, so that's an item you will just have to shop for the best price.

The interior panels are not reproduced for the older 67/68 trucks, and in my case I made my own using correct color/grain/faux stitching. I got the material from SMS fabrics, and cut the hard panel out of masonite board.

[chris mc bride]

thanks for info. The interrior panels are not big issue mine are in great shape,plus I will be making otal new custom piece. Good news is sounds like I can get decent price for these and maybe help buy some materails for other parts. Im still in process of evaluating the parts I have to replace for body work part since a jackleg body guy did some work(if you want to call it that)on truck for my grnadfather quite a while back.
AGAIN THINKS FOR INPUT.

[CG]

Contact board vendor Classic Heartbeat (Wes). He has quite a few patch panels for the burbs and panels. If you are talking about anything from the door latch side of the doors forward, panels and burbs are the same as the trucks ... floor pans, rockers, even the doors are the same except for the window frames.

[olblue60@aol.com]

There are patches avail for behind the rear tires and not to sound redundant, I believe that Wes at Classic Heartbeat also has reproduced the third door rockers for any burb guys lookin'