replacement fenders hoods etc non OEM

[vegaschevy]

Are any companies better then others for making repop fenders, bed sides etc?
Does everyone try to stick only to Factory parts or have you found repops that look, fit, and pass as high quality pieces?

[Southern C10]

I have tried to stay with all original parts just cause personally it is less worry about fit and quality. As far as that being a completly true thought I dont know. This is my first rebuild and I dont know a whole lot but heres some of the things folks have said to me.

Repop pieces always need work to make them fit.
The metal is not as thick and as good a quality as OEM.
If you use repop use Tri-Plus or GoodMark.
Dont buy repop tailgates and put weight on them. They will fold like a taco.
Dont buy expensive NOS stuff unless its gonna be a historic show truck rebuild.


Again, Those are just some comments from board members I received when I started my rebuild. Having said that, every piece on my truck is OEM except the SWB bedsides. The PO had already replaced them and I cant tell the difference in quality or fit. Im sure there is a pound or two difference but nothing else. The only concern I have had is if the OEM tailgate I bought will match up to the bed sides.

I did buy two front fenders from GMC Pauls and they were pretty good Tri-Plus parts but I could tell a little difference in the metal compared to OEM. They did however look good and I would have used them but I got a deal on some OEM fenders.

Hope that helps,

Brian.

[Sinister]

I got some repop fenders from a board member that were from the Truck Shop. Fit was very good.

[Classic Heartbeat]

The Garden Truck's front fenders, inner fenders, core support, cowl hood, grill, rockers, floor sections, cab corners, door pillars, and kick panel patches are all reproductions. Taken right off of our shelves. WES

Also maybe the JC Whitney tailgates may still be paper thin, but ours are OE thickness. WES

[puppy]

Originally Posted by Southern C10

Dont buy repop tailgates and put weight on them. They will fold like a taco.

I don't know what brand aftermarket tailgate the PO used on my truck but it is embarrasing on how poor the quality of it is. I'm in the market for a nice OEM or high quality aftermarket one.

[Classic Heartbeat]

Is it paper thin? Does it have stamped letters? There are a couple of manufacturers. WES

[puppy]

It is paper thin without the stamped letters.

[vegaschevy]

Originally Posted by Classic Heartbeat

The Garden Truck's front fenders, inner fenders, core support, cowl hood, grill, rockers, floor sections, cab corners, door pillars, and kick panel patches are all reproductions. Taken right off of our shelves. WES

Also maybe the JC Whitney tailgates may still be paper thin, but ours are OE thickness. WES

how are your fenders and bedsides as far as thickness and quality goes?

they may be repops but are they tinny? thinner then stock on items aside from the tailgate? how much massaging to make them fit well?

[Classic Heartbeat]

It is paper thin without the stamped letters.

It is either JC Whitney Garbage or a realy old reproduction. Ours are just as heavy as the originals.

how are your fenders and bedsides as far as thickness and quality goes?

The fenders and bedsides are great. The bedsides are slightly thinner than the originals (I measured them once with a micrometer, but have since forgotten the thicknesses.)

they may be repops but are they tinny? thinner then stock on items aside from the tailgate? how much massaging to make them fit well?

Not tinny at all. Asside from the slightly thinner bedsides, the fenders, rockers and etc are just as heavy or even heavier than OE. As for massaging them, I didn't massage any of the parts. That doesn't mean that sometimes they need a hole slotted or something like that once in a while. However Genuine GM also will need that occasionaly. You have to remember you are taking a brand new part and placing it on a 40+ year old truck that in most cases has rusted badly or been worked to death it's whole life. Parts, OEM or otherwise will require some work sometimes. The biggest problem that I have with reproduction parts is the doors. I have stated that here many times, and complained profusely to the manufacturer about them. They have gotten better, but still are not as good as they could be. WES

[vegaschevy]

Thanks for the honest words. one more question that maybe you know. I have been looking for doors as well and have found two different sets with a one piece rollup window. Any idea if any came OEM with them? if so what years? chevy or GMC?

[Southern C10]

The one piece windows are strictly aftermarket. Also dont forget if you are looking for door and have a 72 truck to be correct you need doors with the screw on the inside panel just opposite the mirror. 67-71 did not have the screw. I almost made that mistake.

[vegaschevy]

Originally Posted by Southern C10

The one piece windows are strictly aftermarket. Also dont forget if you are looking for door and have a 72 truck to be correct you need doors with the screw on the inside panel just opposite the mirror. 67-71 did not have the screw. I almost made that mistake.

what do you mean screw?

Im not going to be factory stock. I will be modding it and doing a mild custom interior so details are not that big of deal.

[Classic Heartbeat]

He is talking about a reinforcing screw just below the vent windows. It is only present on the 72s. The other differences is the way the door panels mount. The doors are slightly different. The 72 has a plastic door panel that has plastic clips that hold them in place. So there are holes drilled for those clips. The 67-71 has little nuts where machine screws hold the bottom of the panel in place. If you are going with custom door panels and a single piece side window, 67-71 doors are what you should go with. WES

[Southern C10]

See the hole just below where the window would be? In 72 GM figured out that a screw was needed there to help keep the inside and outside panels together to prevent water and trash from getting down inside the door. 67-71 doors did not have that screw hole.

*Pic borrowed from Nate.*

[vegaschevy]

Originally Posted by Classic Heartbeat

He is talking about a reinforcing screw just below the vent windows. It is only present on the 72s. The other differences is the way the door panels mount. The doors are slightly different. The 72 has a plastic door panel that has plastic clips that hold them in place. So there are holes drilled for those clips. The 67-71 has little nuts where machine screws hold the bottom of the panel in place. If you are going with custom door panels and a single piece side window, 67-71 doors are what you should go with. WES

THank you, all this is new to me and learning as I go. so any no rust doors with no screw holes and I am in business?

Ill probably be getting some stuff from you. I want to do a wood bed which means Ill need a complete bed kit as any I have found are beyond repair.

Also buying a rolling chassis with discs on all 4 wheels but will need wrie harness etc.

[Southern C10]

I think a really nice rolling frame with discs in all four corners was in the truck sales forum. The deal came with almost two trucks worth of parts. Might be worth looking into. I think the guy is in Indiana.

[Classic Heartbeat]

so any no rust doors with no screw holes and I am in business?

I would say so. As long as we are talking about the one just below the vent window. WES

[vegaschevy]

Originally Posted by Southern C10

I think a really nice rolling frame with discs in all four corners was in the truck sales forum. The deal came with almost two trucks worth of parts. Might be worth looking into. I think the guy is in Indiana.

already talking to the guy. The only problem is the shipping of two trucks worth of parts is not worth it to me. shipoping makes it too expensive.
I am probably going to pick that roller up.