omaha joe:
I have often wondered the gauge of the after market inner fenders being sold by many of the truck parts suppliers. Additionally, I have wondered if the various truck parts suppliers are buying their inner fenders and other sheet metal replacement parts/panels from the same manufacturer.
I had the opportunity to purchase rear patch panels for a fleetside bed from LMC and Chevy Duty to compare them side-by-side. The quality of the patch panels and the price, as well as the overall size of the panels did not compare favorably. I don't recall which company sold the better panels, however the differences were vast.
All of that said, if you can find a good, rust-free or repairable set of used/NOS/OEM inner fenders, you will be ahead of the game with fit up. I put a set of chrome inner fenders from LMC on my '66, K-10 and had a bear of a time with the fit up and hole alignment. Overall, I was able to make them fit, however for the money, go with factory if you can.
Gauge is a concern with most panels due to the required welding, but since inner fenders are a bolt on part, I wouldn't be as concerned with material thickness. In any event, best of luck with your project.
