1970 c10 can't find patch panel

[Coalkracker]

Hi all, I have a 1970 c10 that was lightly hit on the drivers side can right behind the door. I'm trying to find a panel that goes from the bottom of the can corner up almost to the filler cap. Anyone know of somewhere that sells one of that size?

[Zeroman]

Unfortunately, you will not find a panel for the entire piece.

Your best bet is to find a section on a cab, and cut what you need.

Years ago I found a cab, but the left rear section had body damage. I found a donor cab of which that section was good, so I cut out.

If you are not already a Premium Member on this site, I would spend the $25 so that you can post in the Classifieds that you are looking for that section of a cab.

[Coalkracker]

I was afraid that was going to be the answer. I can probably try to bang it out close to it's shape and putty it but I am worried about it cracking later on after I get the truck painted.

[Coalkracker]

I also have to do the rockers on that side. What do you think I should do first to assure a good alignment of panels? The rockers then the cab?

[Jrainman]

I have such a panel GM did make them , this is a NOS panel that I bought a few years back, they are hard to find , I would follow Zeromans advice.

[Coalkracker]

Do you have the part number for that style panel?

[special-K]

That is a body panel, not a patch panel. The full body panel used in the cab construction. The only "patch panel" made for that area are the lower cab corners we are all familiar with. No one but GM has ever offered that cab back panel, unfortunately. You are best to find a junk cab and cut that out. I have done this before in the same area. You will find it very hard to knock back out on that tight roll. Replacing the back panel gets down into the back of the floor and cross brace that like to rust. Unless all that is fresh clean metal you will be digging deep into the truck or wasting a prime rare panel by cutting it short.