Repop grille and fender fit - 71/72

[yfs200p]

I did a search and found a little info on this, but not a whole lot. I am looking for pictures of 71-72 Chevys that have reproduction fenders and grilles on them. My body guy and I spent about 5 hours yesterday trying to get the repop grille on. It seems as though the fenders need to come in at the front, but they are in as far as they will go. It's almost like the overall width of the grille is too narrow. For reference We tried fitting the GM one that came off the truck, but it had been hit at some point and wasn't nearly straight.

So can anyone give some close up pics of their repop grille where it meets the fenders?

I am running the supposed top quality Woodall industries fenders from GMCPaul, stock hood, and repop Radiator support. The grille is a chromed steel one. We were able to get all of the body panels lined up nicely, except for this damn grille.

Thanks.

[airdale94]

I'd say the grille is your problem. Are you sure it's for a 71/72? There's a cuttoff year somewhere for for front clip pieces interchangeability.

[litew8]

I had a repop fender that flared outwards in the front and not inward like you mention. Defective.

[GMCPaul]

We REFUSE to sell the Steel chrome Re-Pop grilles because of this very reason. They do not fit correctly. Something in the forming of them is off and they will not fit flush back against the front fenders like the OEM & Re-Pop aluminum grills do.
Paul Jr @ GMCPauls

[yfs200p]

Thanks for the info Paul. I really like that you guys are actually involved with these trucks and for that reason I have done all my my business with you for this build. As a matter of fact, i'm afraid to add up the receipts I have from you, LOL. Have you had any problems with the fenders being defective at the area where it meets the grille? I only ask that because my old GM grille didnt seem to be much better.
Thanks again.

[GMCPaul]

Originally Posted by yfs200p

Have you had any problems with the fenders being defective at the area where it meets the grille? I only ask that because my old GM grille didnt seem to be much better.
Thanks again.

We haven't heard of anyone having a problem with the leading edge of the fender where the grill overlaps when using OEM or re-pop aluminum grilles with them, the only ones we've heard experience a problem has been using the chromed steel grills they just don't fit over the leading edge of the front fenders correctly when using OEM fenders or reproduction. Didn't get to involved in trouble shooting the steel 71-72 grille though so not sure if its just slightly small outer frame, inner edges on grill not rolled inward enough or slightly off mounting points but something's not quite right with them.
Paul Jr @ GMCPauls

[litew8]

I've got plenty of pictures.

[yfs200p]

Originally Posted by litew8

I've got plenty of pictures.

Would you mind posting? At this point I'm leaning towards finding a NOS or very nice original outer grille.

[litew8]

Here you go... I have an OE outer grill.






Replace with OE fender, gap gone




Today

[litew8]

Guess what brand my defective repro fender was

[GMCPaul]

Originally Posted by litew8

Guess what brand my defective repro fender was

I'm guessing either Woodall Industries, Tri-Plus, or ??
if it was Woodall Industries or Tri-Plus how long ago did this occur?
Thanks!
Paul Jr @ GMCPauls

[litew8]

Lets see some pics yfs200c

[cheyenne shortstep]

I've said it before and I will say it again repop parts suck. Find good used OEM parts and restore them, hence the term "restoration".

[yfs200p]

I won't be able to get pics until tomorrow, but after work today I stopped by the shop to play with it. I took the brackets off my old beat up GM grille and was able to get it much closer to acceptable. However it was still not able to slide all the way back to the fender line.

Originally Posted by cheyenne shortstep

I've said it before and I will say it again repop parts suck. Find good used OEM parts and restore them, hence the term "restoration".

Thanks for the clarification on that word. Have you ever tried to find good OEM parts outside of California? Come to Long Island where whatever trucks haven't been destroyed by the salt on the roads, have been ruined by the salt air. There are 2007 Chevys around here with rockers rotting right off them. The amount of time, effort and money it requires to source, acquire and restore original parts around here is challenging to say the least. The junk yards don't even have square body trucks let alone 67-72 style. For $300 you can have a pair of reproduction fenders that are guaranteed to never have had rust on them; very attractive. This is not meant as an attack towards you, everyone knows OEM parts are preferable but they are just not an option sometimes. Besides, there are plenty of people using the repro parts so I'm sure a nice fit can be achieved some way or another. Ok, rant complete.

[veedubshafer]

I personally have had good luck with reproduction parts. BTW, why do people say repop? It doesn't make any sense to me.

[litew8]

Originally Posted by GMCPaul

I'm guessing either Woodall Industries, Tri-Plus, or ??
if it was Woodall Industries or Tri-Plus how long ago did this occur?
Thanks!
Paul Jr @ GMCPauls

I did not purchase it from you, Paul Jr. It was Woodall. Are you asking about the year for checking your inventory? Curious

[GMCPaul]

Originally Posted by litew8

I did not purchase it from you, Paul Jr. It was Woodall. Are you asking about the year for checking your inventory? Curious

Yes we like to be aware of any fitment issues with any brand that we carry. We carry both the Tri-Plus & Woodall Industries 67-72 front fenders and if a defective batch comes out we want to aware of the problem so we can react proactively to the problem by identifying that there is a problem, where the problem is with the part, what caused the problem and if its just a 1 off part problem ( only 1 defective out of a group lot assembled at same time ), or a single Lot # group problem ( problem occurred with entire lot during the same assembly time and no problem with groups prior or after )or if its a on going problem with every lot group produced after a certain point.. You wouldn't happen to know the Lot# on manufacturer's sticker by chance would you or how long ago the purchase was made?
Thanks!
Paul Jr

[rkintn_68]

interested ...

[CUSTOM/10]

Nick;

I feel your pain, and spent the last 5 yrs collecting as many OEM or NOS parts that I could find/afford. Many parts came out of Az or Cali. I was able to find most of the parts I need ( Other than SWB bed sides ). If you must buy repop parts it's best to deal with guys like Paul from GMC Pauls or Wes from Classic Heartbeat. These guys know these trucks inside & out, and the parts they sell. They use them and know what's good and what's bad, and will steer you in the right direction. Keep in mind that even OEM & NOS doesn't mean they will fit like todays car parts. The quality control and gap tolerances were much different back then. I had NOS parts that needed work to make them fit correctly.

So if you must buy repop parts, speak with guys like Paul, and take their word !

Gary

[litew8]

Originally Posted by GMCPaul

Yes we like to be aware of any fitment issues with any brand that we carry. We carry both the Tri-Plus & Woodall Industries 67-72 front fenders and if a defective batch comes out we want to aware of the problem so we can react proactively to the problem by identifying that there is a problem, where the problem is with the part, what caused the problem and if its just a 1 off part problem ( only 1 defective out of a group lot assembled at same time ), or a single Lot # group problem ( problem occurred with entire lot during the same assembly time and no problem with groups prior or after )or if its a on going problem with every lot group produced after a certain point.. You wouldn't happen to know the Lot# on manufacturer's sticker by chance would you or how long ago the purchase was made?
Thanks!
Paul Jr

I'm sorry, I have no idea what the Lot # might have been. There was a sticker covering up the Woodall sticker is all I remember. I purchased the fender from a shop back in Nov. 2011. I couldn't tell you how long he may have had it or if he outright purchased it that year. As the picture outlines (red arrows), you can see the stamping wasn't correct in the front. It curved outward and not inward as OE fenders do.

[Tim Christian]

yfs200p, The steel grills will fit this is my sons truck and every part of this front clip is aftermarket. If you would like to call me I would be more than glad to help even though we do not sell Woodall fenders! LOL !

[yfs200p]

Tim thank you for the offer to help. If I get to dire straights I may give you a call.

Here are some photos of the two grilles that I snapped at the shop today. Keep in mind that neither of them are bolted in for these pics. The doors, fenders, and hood are all in their final resting place and bolted tight. They all line up nicely. (Repro doors, repro fenders, repro core support, OEM hood)

Exhibit A: hood to fender lines, I would call them perfect. The pictures make them look bigger than they really are, but they are just right.









Exhibit B: repro chromed steel grille. I think it was put correctly once before that this thing is like putting socks on a chicken. I bought this "used only for a few weeks" from a fellow board member. It's in good shape so I'd say he wasn't lying about that. It seems that the grille is just not wide enough, and it has a funny twist to it. I took pictures with it as nice as I could get it on each side. The last pic shows it tight on the drivers side, and where that puts the pass side. About 2-3" away from the fender and when I try to force it into place, the other side wants to pop out. If I forced it enough to get a bolt in on both sides, I think it would kink somewhere. (Yep, I'll be repainting that fender)








Exhibit C: OEM grille that came off the truck. The grille and the hood are the only parts on the front clip that are from the original truck. This one fits much better and goes into place with much less effort. However, it still does not go tight to that fender line. I can not move the fenders in any farther because then my hood lines will be screwed. And by screwed I mean the hood will hit the fenders when I close it. I think my best option is to find a nice OEM grille and massage it to fit around these fenders. Anyone have some tricks up their sleeve?

[litew8]

You should have fitted all the peices before painting anything. Since both outer grills fit similar, I'd say it has something to do with the fenders. Both of them appear to be curving OUTWARD (away from the hood) the inch or so from the front (the left fender more so) - when they should be curving INWARD. Just like the picture I've posted (same fender even, left side), that fender curved the wrong direction. You can see that in the second to last picture of yours, the gap that is there is too large. The exact same problem I had and was fixed by using an OE fender instead. Other than that, your truck (paint) is looking sharp. Look at the front end picture of my truck and you can see how the front ends (gaps) of the fenders curve and snug nice and clean. Unlike yours - which go the wrong direction.