George, thanks for that info, I think Bill would agree that your method is the least damaging to existing trucks. Except for the stepside, which are more plentiful that fleetside, you used all aftermarket, Good job. All you boys keeep your eyes open for all those trailers made from fleetside and stepsides. better to use them than a whole truck. And of course aftermarket door skins, or donor door skins. Cutting up one truck to save another is a classic "catch 22". If we had the entire lip of the wheel well we could make the rest. The sides of the 55-59 panel and burbs are simple curved shapes. And as described, can be gotten from aftermarket skins. the punch and die would be about $10,000 to $15,000 to stamp a wheel well lip. A coordinate measuring machine can run across an actual part from a burb or panel and transfer the shape digitally to a mill to make punch and die. Not much design cost. there is also hydro-forming and other methods. Anybody want to make an investment and be the sole source for all 55-59 panel and burb repair lip panels in the universe? If you are a real genius you could make both sides with one set of tools and slice it down the middle. Somebody out there in Stoveville has a big modern machine shop and can make the tools cheaper than what I estimated. Who is it?
Last edited by bartamos; 02/04/2009 7:37 AM.
