Who carries the best quality body repair panels?

[71sierragrande]

Hello 67-72 experts and enthusiasts! I'm a new member but have been around these trucks all my life. I've got a '71 GMC longfleet that belonged to my dad. He had planned to restore this truck before he passed away, and had already bought the sheet metal necessary to do it, I think from LMC. Well, the upper wheel arch piece (left rear fender)doesnt roll under the lip into the wheelwell, (it's just flat) and on the truck its rusted out completely directly above the wheel, so there is no metal left. Sorry I can't show a pic, but are there different companies that sell an arch that bends fully under the lip, or do i have to buy a full bedside? Please post body panel companies that you have had good results with. Also, what are your recommendations for a welder in the $5-800 range? Thanks fellas and it's good to be aboard, I love this site!

[john]

Cant help with the sheetmetal but, to the board.

[smn69]

Go for the best welder you can afford. I have used a cheap one using flux core wire and a Lincoln welder using shielding gas and there is no comparison. Welding sheet metal, a good quality wire feed with gas shielding will save you a lot of headaches and there will be a lot less swearing.

Oh, and welcome to the board from Utah!!

[71sierragrande]

I was checking out the Lincoln 140C mig and the Millermatic 140 mig as I dont have 220v available. Both of these units are under $700. Anyone using these for body work? And what are your opinions about them?

[leddzepp]

Welcome to the forum neighbor! You are in the rust free capital of America here, I would find some OEM replacement sheetmetal for your fixes. I sold a complete set of mint LWB bedsides for $150 a while back....and it took a while! My point is you can get OEM here for less than the cost of repop panels that suck.

[RCbowtie69]

welcome to board, still thinkin about patch panels, but no welder, hung new sheet metal before,but it's hard to find good sheet metal, so if you can weld it should be easy, good luck, keep on truckin''

[71sierragrande]

Yes, ledzepp, you're right about the rust in San Diego, I wish my truck had spent its whole life here. Im on the lookout for a longbed with a good gate, and some truck buckets with console if I can find them. Shoot me a line if you come across anything. And thanks to leddzepp, john, and smn69 for the welcome to the board, I cant wait to get started but I dont have my truck out here yet. Maybe in the next month the grinding begins! Thanks guys

[71sierragrande]

Thanks, RCbowtie69. Im not much at welding, but I will practice as much as necessary before I touch the truck. As soon as I figure out which welder to buy. I want to do it all myself cuz me and my dad were going to restore it before he got sick.

[68 c10 ls2]

I do autobody for a living and i own a Miller 140 and i LOVE IT!!! :-) I wouldnt try and weld a frame rail with it but all you sheet metal needs well be met and you will be very happy with it!!!! Good luck with your build, and would love to see pics!!

[71sierragrande]

Hey 68c10ls2, thats a sweet '68! I had a '70 c10 400/400 when I was 18, couldnt get the rear tires to stick (it had some big meats on it, too!). It ran like a bat outta hell but it wouldnt steer. Nothing like a body man commenting on a welder, that helps alot. Yeah, Im not doing any frame alterations, I dont believe in that anyway. Can you share your experience with body parts companies? Thanks, and I will get pics up soon for the GMC.