The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop New Patch Panel Stamping ?

My new LMC catalog just arrived and they show patch panels for the AD trucks that are combined floor and toeboard. There is one for the left side and one for the right. Has any one else seen these before ?

Never seen that before, 'nix. :confused: Even though "not correct" it still sounds like a decent idea (fewer seams to trap rust).

Was this the Spring 2003 Catalog? Guess I'll have to start watching the mailbox...

Regards,
Wannabe

Wannabe,
it was the Winter 2003 catalog with a red Chev PU on the front. I wonder if there is a new line of these panels hitting the market.

The answer is yes. About two years ago, Jeff at Bowtie Bits shipped a dent and rust free 3 window cab off a farm truck to Taiwan to use as patterns for a new line of patch panels. Truck was a true IRWIPI with 25,000 miles and always parked in a shed. I think the panels started hitting the market about a year ago.

IRWIPI?

It Ran When I Parked It?

for anyone who knows. Does this patch for the toeboard(firewall) and floor section have a spot welded seam where the two meet like a normal AD cab floor? I have a suburban that has been chopped up bad around the floor and firewall and I would like to see if I can section in a few patches rather than replace the whole thing.

Fred T,
I am not in the business but I am curious, would this design variant be a patent thing ?

Patents expire - anything patented in 1952 is long expired.

Ken,
what I referring to was the actual aftermarket toeboard etc. Patent is probably not the right word but are these things protected? Could someone use a repro toeboard as a pattern and start making exact copies? That is why I was wondering why they would choose to make a left and right half combined toeboard/floor.I think that they would be more awkward to ship etc.

Nope, can't be patented or protected in anyway. On the other hand, the tooling to create such a piece would be mucho big $$$$.

there's an outfit called Dynacron [wholesale only] that's making a slew of new sheet metal - including complete door shells and front fenders for the task force trucks [check the truck parts 'catalog' - great stuff]. takes major money as well as major equipment to make body patches, let alone whole fenders or doors, so there's not many places doin it, tho' there's one other US outfit called Goodmark that makes a lot of good patch panels and major parts.

Bill

Squeeze,
that is a very interesting link. I see those new left and right panels go about 1/2 way up the toeboard. Replacing the entire toeboard is probably seldom necessary.

Anybody used those panels yet? I'm seriously considering them for my panel truck. Much cheaper than buying both floorboards and the toeboard.

I am curious have any of you seen the new inner fenders for the 47-53 trucks, I wonder how good they are?