The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Patch panels

New guy here. Just bought into a ‘53 3100 and I’m going to have replace some metal; question is: Where’s the best place to buy the patches? (Cab corners, cab floor, etc). Are the patches the same thickness as the factory metal? Any experience to be shared is greatly appreciated.

Most of the patch panels are identical no matter where you buy them.
I've gotten some good stuff (TriPlus brand) from RockAuto for very good prices. Better than from some of the well known vendors here. Just about everything is made in Taiwan, so you can pick from offshore or offshore. I have a rocker panel from a well known vendor and one from RockAuto, and the differences are negligible as far as thickness.

I typicality purchase most of my parts from Classicparts.com but I got my floor pans from https://www.getallparts.com/ They were the cheapest. They are the same parts you get from the bigger name places. They are TriPlus brand. For the floor pans, right and left and driver front support they were $184.55 including shipping.

I see you’re in AK and in ER. I’m just to the north of you in Peters Creek. How bad was the shipping costs?

For the bulk of them, I took advantage of a free shipping deal from Jim Carter, and shipped them to Span Alaska in Washington who forwarded them to me. I bought Inner and Outer Cowl panels, cab corners, a rocker, etc. I think the charge from Span Alaska was about $120 (picked them up at their terminal in South Anchorage.
Individually, the rocker I bought from RockAuto cost about $20 to ship, IIRC.
If you're willing to wait, I'm planning a trip south in April-May with the specific purpose of buying parts (plan is to go by Jim Carter and Mar-K). I'd be willing to pick up stuff for you.
PM me (you'll need a few more posts) and we can arrange to meet and you can look at what I've got going on with my truck.

I’d love to see your truck! My truck is in Ohio and will be on it’s way to Michigan I early April. We bought an old farm house there and will be moving this year to Michigan. Our family is getting up there in age and need help. Talking to and seeing things is how I learn best but I realize jumping in is what’s needed at times and just get it done!

Good luck with the repairs. I have all my panels sitting on a shelf waiting for me.

Just starting bracing the cab level last night and will be cutting into the cab this week or weekend.

I suspect it is like most jobs, it looks intimidating until you get your hands dirty.

I got my panels from Classic Industries.

Paul

Tony, what part of Ohio are you in. I am in NKY and work in southern Ohio. Nice looking truck.

dgrinnan, I'm in Alaska currently and will be moving to Michigan this year sometime. The truck is currently near Dayton, Ohio. Let me know how your efforts go! I'll be ripping into mine within the year and if there's anything I should look for or know, is appreciated!