Sheet metal HELP!

[Spot1984]

Where is the best place to buy sheet metal for my 70 c10. I have bought cab corners, rockers, rear pillars, outer floor both sides from LMC and needless to say they are F*@&in junk!!!!! I have seen on here top banana and mbgmike are good sources. I want the best possible metal I can get. I made the floor work but the cab corners and rockers are so out of whack there is no way they will fit without some serious time invested. I really need some help fellas. Thank you!

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by Spot1984

needless to say they are F*@&in junk!!!!!

That's a good way to describe most of LMC's stuff.

[JRANGER]

i like tabco products...You can order from Jcwhitley or call them direct....Its just more if you get it direct from them

[JRANGER]

The Tabco floor pan i got

[454stepside]

classic parts is who i use and fit and quality are very good

[JRANGER]

i also used goodmark from summitracing...Rockers and supports..

here is my thread with a bunch of pics of them..and they go up the piller but i modified them
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=496904

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by Spot1984

Where is the best place to buy sheet metal for my 70 c10. I have bought cab corners, rockers, rear pillars, outer floor both sides from LMC and needless to say they are F*@&in junk!!!!! I have seen on here top banana and mbgmike are good sources. I want the best possible metal I can get. I made the floor work but the cab corners and rockers are so out of whack there is no way they will fit without some serious time invested. I really need some help fellas. Thank you!

I'm interested in seeing what you find out about this. I just dropped over $300 in cab repair parts from LMC and Kennys trucks. I didn't have real high expectations because I have used them before. Most are Key parts the metal is thinner on some and close to the same on others.
The way I look at these repair panels, I figure you're going to have to modify all the panels. It just saves time in trying to fabricate new panels from scratch.
I think there is a good market for high quality replacement/repair panels. The biggest problem, the price would be very expensive to get the made in the USA. I have some old cab corners from the early 90s that were made in the US and they are heavy gauge like oems, but the fit and shape isn't close.
Also, had a friend tell me he installed some NOS GM rockers recently and the fit wasn't that great either. I think it's just the nature of the beast.

[JRANGER]

Tabco i read makes excellent fitments..only reason i didnt get all tabco is because i had to order direct or wait months to get my stuff from a few online vendors....So i went cheap with goodmark...But the goodmark isnt as thick or as good of quality as the tabco panel..

[72lb4x4]

Only a few companies make the parts, and none of the people we can buy from make anything. Just as the stuff you buy at Walmart, or Kroger isn't made by them.

So even if you buy from another vendor, you'll probably end up with the same parts.

Some say AMD, or Tabco make their own. I'll guess it isn't really true.

[454stepside]

I have installed the parts from classic parts I have bought. I have repaired many cabs with these parts and really have never had any fitment issues. Quality is really nice. I have a cab corner that was givin to me from lmc that i show people the quality you get from them. It is about an inch to wide on the side. I have sworn to never use another LMC part as long as I live. Every thing I have ever gotten from them has been very poor quality. That is of course just my opinion

[CC69Rat]

The panels on these old trucks never had the QC like the do on Lexus, BMW panel fit, etc .. IMO it just never was a huge issue on a truck that was destined to be used to haul farm equipment, or work truck in general.

Now they're being built into $60k+ show pieces .. so what I'm saying is I think GM metal is still better than Re-pro BUT, I don't think any of them will ever fit 'perfect'. they'll all usually take some work to be show quality fit.

.. just my opinion.

[hjewell2]

Originally Posted by 454stepside

classic parts is who i use and fit and quality are very good

Yepper Classic parts never had a problem with them, I think they still ship TRIPLUS sheetmetal. Not classic industries, never get the two confused.

[black_sheep454]

I just bought a one piece floor from tri plus. Haven't installed it but it seems to be well made out of nice thick metal.
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[MLB57]

The problem I think with LMC is they change vendors to get cheaper parts. I got a right side pillar repair panel and it was a triplus and was good quality. Had to get another left side because of a miss cut and it was junk felt like tin foil and was actually rusting under the primer, had to order one on line and wait.

[Tim Christian]

Some Vendors will buy were they can make the most money don't really care about the truck builders and quality. I have always said Rule #1 in building a truck fine you a vendor that is actually into the hobby of building trucks and build a relationship with them and stick with them throught your build there prices might be a little higher but the knowledge is PRICELESS!

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by Tim Christian

Some Vendors will buy were they can make the most money don't really care about the truck builders and quality. I have always said Rule #1 in building a truck fine you a vendor that is actually into the hobby of building trucks and build a relationship with them and stick with them throught your build there prices might be a little higher but the knowledge is PRICELESS!

Good advice Tim
Vendors that use the best availible parts in their shop are not going to sell you a lower quality part. It damages the companies reputation. A good vendor will be honest and tell you his or her, opinion of the part also.
It sure would be easy if every part was so high in quality that it fit perfect with no problems!!!!