The Stovebolt Site Forums Project Journals Archived Journals 1970 Chevy C10 - Grandpa’s Rebuild.

This reproduction RH bedside has been in my kitchen for a while. Level, square, front-back, side-side, corners, top to bottom, GRRRR! So, the other day I took the new tailgate and lined it up with an original right hand bedside from 1970. Guess what? It fits like a glove. No weird stick out, contour is very good, no gap on the back end.

So...

I've opened the can of worms.

I am currently splicing the old corner into the new bedside. When I cut the new bedside taillight section out, the whole corner popped and twisted/shifted, hard. There was a lot of stress on that panel there. If I tried to use that piece there, I don't think I would be able to get it into that position "straight" where it was.

The original '70 taillight section fit very well over the rear cross sill. The reproduction required prying and bending to get the stake pocket bottom to slide over the sill. Then I had to rubber mallet it into position and die grind out the holes. The factory GM piece slid over like butter. Just out of curiosity, I tried the old gate on the new bed panels, and it fit like the new gate with the top sticking back and out. Ugh. At least I know it wasn't the gate's fault.

Made in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada in 1969...weird that the original box stake assembly would fit properly compared to Made in Taiwan, 2021. 🤪

I am slowly removing metal to get my fit just right. Then I'll blast the backside and paint it before welding this in solid.

Do you like worms? The reproduction inner panel was 1/8" out compared to the left. Add the twist stress and the contour and I think I found out the problem.

Oh, wait! Is anyone going to bug me about Chinese parts? Don't you dare!! Bahaha! I feel terrible for people who have gotten into reproductions on a large expensive scale and had it bite them.


Hours: 411.

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