Vents...New Repo's...Recrome...Good Used...which way to go?

[70cst]

As I am starting to look at getting parts together for my resto...I do know the vent chrome is pretty pitted so the question is...which is the better way to go"
1) Buy repos? 2) By very nice used 3) Rechrome the vents I have?
What is the best way to go?
Thanks in advanced.

[special-K]

What vents are you talking about?

[70cst]

Ooops. I forgot there are more than one set of vents in our trucks.
I am talking about the window vents. As mentioned mine need someting done with them. Just trying to decide which is the best way to go. Thanks.

[cdowns]

normally to rechrome anything is 2-3X the cost of repop stuff and used is half the price

[steveshow]

I don't believe the frames themselves are chrome. THey are stainless on the 72 Cheyenne Super I just started on. The knobs that hold them shut are chrome and can be purchased cheapest repro.

[70cst]

That's a good point. They are S.S. Has anyone experience with the repo's? Is the quality and fit good?
Thanks in advance.

[69RAT]

I tried a set of repops and redid my originals. It was a while ago and I don't remember whose they were.

[special-K]

Are they really stainless??Why do they rust like they do?I could be wrong,but I believe they`re chromed steel.I`d use good used.

[70cst]

Ok...you all got me. I am not sure what the material is on the vents. My truck is in storage at the homested and I am trying to get my listed started so I know what all I need to buy. I plan on taking the truck to the body shop this fall.

[edmonton72]

Mine are all rusted so im just going to put in one piece windows when i can afford to.

[70cstjr]

for 37 years old i think they look really good

[GMCPaul]

We do not carry the vent window reproductions because we found that better than 50% of the assemblies we received were not properly put together and thus did not fit in the door correctly. we brought in 10 at a time at 1 point and found 6-7 in every set that when they riveted frames together the 90 degree piece at bottom of frame riveted to division bar had the rivet & bracket placed to low on frame or 90 degree angle bracket bent which distorted the frame and in some cases caused a gap at bottom of vent glass chromed steel at seal. It is possible to fix this by removing the division bar felt and rivetting it again correctly but its not a fix we felt that a customer should have to perform on a new part they just paid $160-$170 for, so in my opinion if you can find good used go that route, otherwise if you go repro examine them carefully upon arrival for defects and check fit right away so that if you get a bad one from a supplier you can still return it a get another one thats hopefully put together correctly, be sure to check your suppliers return policy as some do not allow returns after 7 days, others are 2 weeks, or 30 days.
We haven't had these now for around 1 year so its always possible they got there act together on quality control but after dealing with the same defects continuosly for around 2 years or so before we quit carrying them I rather doubt they've improved.
GMCPaul

[70cst]

Thanks GMCPaul...
I remember that the quality and fit were an issue in the past. I think I will look at purchasing a nice set of used ones. By the way...are they SS or some type of chrome?

[70cst]

Hey 70cstjr...
I am looking at the side window wing vents. If I remember these are pitted and need to be replaced. Maybe you can take pics.

[70cstjr]

Originally Posted by 70cst

Hey 70cstjr...
I am looking at the side window wing vents. If I remember these are pitted and need to be replaced. Maybe you can take pics.

there pitted to a point but there no worse off than the rest of the window trim or any trim at that