The best solutions for Suburbans, Carryalls and Panels are 1.Cut 58-59 Fleetside longbed bed sides (Bill hates ruining these, but I'm talking an otherwise damaged, partly rusted set) 2. 55-59 door repair panel. They sell just the bottom 6-8" of door skin or a whole door skin. 3. A 55-59 door (use the Bill disclaimer again) and cut out a section. All these have the same curve as your Panel and the Fleetside has the same wheel well roll to about the halfway around point. You can use pieces of the roll or curve these pieces to go all the way around. These ideas work for in front and behind rear wheel. Did it myself. If you are not good at shaping metal, which you can do by forming it around the existing body, then pick one. Weld, grind, fill. THE BIG PROBLEM......the 56 has an inner "fender" or double wall body. You will have to cut access "holes" to use a dolly or to use copper backing for your welds not to burn thru. You can then replace these access holes with sheet metal using the cut piece as a pattern. 58-59 Fleetsides don't have inner walls. You will also have to drill out the spot welds in the "turn under" at the bottom. The rocker panels are perfect for under step area and can be used also for the roll feature along the bottom of your quarter panels. (if you use the door panel technique)
Last edited by bartamos; 04/22/2008 10:38 PM.
