reproduction sheetmetal question

[68blazer]

first off i have a 68 SWB, and I will be needing both bedsides some cab pieces (you can imagine the ones) and depending on price & fit i might go ahead and buy both front fenders and both inner fenders. i have read many threads on this subject and i still don't have a large number of answers, I don't really care where i buy them from, because price can be matched or at least if it's in the ball park i'm ok. I am more concerned about fit, because no matter the price i don't want to have to work new parts i just paid good moeny for, so heres my question: what brand of reproduction sheetmetal is the best fitting?

please only answer if you've actually dealt with this first hand, not what you've heard. I'm not being rude i just want accurate posts, thanks so much in advance for your answer(s)

[turp mcspray]

Tri-Plus seems to be the nicest maker of sheetmetal. I have used the bedsides, (and they are nice), inner fenders, (nice as well). It has been quite awhile since I have used any fenders. I have a fender in my shop that I tried on a 72 blazer I was working on, just to see how it fit. It fit really well, (don't know the maker) but I didn't try mounting the grille to it.
I don't know if I've ever used brand new GM sheetmetal that didn't need some tweaking, so don't expect anything to install itself, and fit absolutely perfect.
Try to buy from a vendor who will specify who's parts they are, and be able to honestly vouch for the quality.

[russgoodman]

I bought my inner fenders in OKC from Classic Chevy on SE 89TH and I35. Mainly because I didn't have to have them shipped that way and they have the best price on them at $65 each. I have not mounted them yet as I am a long ways away, but I put them next to the originals and they are exact in every way.

As far as patches and fenders, defintely try to find Tri Plus. At least 2 venders on here can get them for you, Wes at Classic Heartbeat and GMC Pauls.

[boostedc10]

All the Tri-Plus panels I have used so far have fit pretty good. I used their cab corners, rockers, inner kickpanel patches, and their floor.

Like Turp said some took some small adjusting but fit way better than the other ones I bought and later replaced with Tri-Plus.

All of them came from LMC because I got free shipping with a big purchase, and that floor is not cheap to ship.

[68blazer]

Originally Posted by russgoodman

I bought my inner fenders in OKC from Classic Chevy on SE 89TH and I35. Mainly because I didn't have to have them shipped that way and they have the best price on them at $65 each. I have not mounted them yet as I am a long ways away, but I put them next to the originals and they are exact in every way.

As far as patches and fenders, defintely try to find Tri Plus. At least 2 venders on here can get them for you, Wes at Classic Heartbeat and GMC Pauls.

i always thought they were high on price so i didn't even bother to go there, thanks!

[68blazer]

Originally Posted by boostedc10

All the Tri-Plus panels I have used so far have fit pretty good. I used their cab corners, rockers, inner kickpanel patches, and their floor.

Like Turp said some took some small adjusting but fit way better than the other ones I bought and later replaced with Tri-Plus.

All of them came from LMC because I got free shipping with a big purchase, and that floor is not cheap to ship.

i hate how you still have to "adjust" a "new" piece or panel, but i appreciate the info, so far it seems that i need to go with tri-plus

the reason i started this thread is because i "heard" that all of the sheetmetal comes from china, that bothers me, but if its true i'll just have to buy the best china crap out there.

is tri-plus out of china? or any others?

[67c10rustbuket]

Tri-plus is manufactured in Taiwan. All repro sheet metal is except Tabco (USA). Classic on I35 sells Tri-Plus and there's no shipping since we can drive there. I used several Tri-plus patch panels and they were decent but required tweaking. They are much better than LMC parts (some Tri-plus some other). Some vendors sell a thinner gauge of Tri-plus too. Something to consider they are not all the same. There's a reason some places are cheaper than others.

[Classic Heartbeat]

i always thought they were high on price so i didn't even bother to go there, thanks!

Good thing for a lot of people on the boards that I don't not bother to post because they didn't purchase parts from us.
We are closer to middle of the road in prices. We seem high because we carry the best available parts and use what we sell. We also give free advise and instructions here and on the phone. Try to get that anywhere else.

Tri-plus is manufactured in Taiwan. All repro sheet metal is except Tabco (USA).

True Tri-plus is imported, however only the parts that Tabco manufactures are made in the USA and that is not everything they sell.
Our (Classic Heartbeat) Blazer parts that we produce are made right here in the USA. All parts that are exclusive to us are. WES

[dialric]

WES, looking for a repair panel for my 1984 blazer. I need to replace the panel behind the rear wheel on the passenger side. Do u sell them? price and address. thank you

[Eliminator540]

How many different manufacturers of bed sides is there for the short fleetside? Somewhere I read that there is only one.

[67ctener]

I've used a few repop sheetmetal parts and I'd say the fit is crap to good (not great) key parts fender crap, dynacorn bedsides and header panel ok, and triplus tailgate good. There is no substitute to original sheetmetal. New has no rust/dents etc. but you will spend time fitting

[69chevytrucker]

my triplus bolted right up no mods at all did inner and outer fenders





just did bolts hand tight till i got them all in and went around and tighten them up all came out strait

[Eliminator540]

Is there only one manufacturer of short fleetside beds?

[FlameOut]

I didn't find a thread dedicated to sheetmetal, so I hope it's ok to ask my question here. I need the floor board piece on the driver side. The part where the dimmer switch is. I have the one piece floor I bought, but that comes up short. I need from the end of the once piece floor up to the bottom of the firewall, but looking through LMC catalog, I don't see that piece being mamanufactured? Is this something I'll need to fab myself?

Bill

[67ctener]

As far as I know nothing is produced above that seem in the floor/firewall. Maybe find a donor cab or cut and bend one yourself

[FlameOut]

Originally Posted by 67ctener

As far as I know nothing is produced above that seem in the floor/firewall. Maybe find a donor cab or cut and bend one yourself

That's what I thought, just wasn't 100% sure. I don't think it will be to difficult to make my own

[69chevytrucker]

you looking for this

[67ctener]

Originally Posted by 67ctener

I've used a few repop sheetmetal parts and I'd say the fit is crap to good (not great) key parts fender crap, dynacorn bedsides and header panel ok, and triplus tailgate good. There is no substitute to original sheetmetal. New has no rust/dents etc. but you will spend time fitting

I just got my tailgate dialed in today and I would change my first impression from good to excellent. Once the bed gaps were good the contours of the gate fit the bedsides near perfect. Only complaints is a large inside out dent, top edge is more round then flat and the latch would not function. Switched the original handle and the gate functions perfect. All around I'm very happy with it

[Eliminator540]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=621205

[Elliot949]

Originally Posted by Eliminator540

Is there only one manufacturer of short fleetside beds?

No I have Dynacorn Bedsides from Classic Parts of America

[russgoodman]

Originally Posted by Classic Heartbeat

Good thing for a lot of people on the boards that I don't not bother to post because they didn't purchase parts from us.
We are closer to middle of the road in prices. We seem high because we carry the best available parts and use what we sell. We also give free advise and instructions here and on the phone. Try to get that anywhere else.



True Tri-plus is imported, however only the parts that Tabco manufactures are made in the USA and that is not everything they sell.
Our (Classic Heartbeat) Blazer parts that we produce are made right here in the USA. All parts that are exclusive to us are. WES

Wes, he was talking about Classic Chevy in Oklahoma City being high on price.