The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop apache patch panels

Hey Guys, Steve (Fossil) here. I have a question. I am starting to gather parts to start on my '59 Apache step side 3100 project. I have already gotten several body patch panels, since it has rust in many of the usual places (rear cab corners, rockers, door bottoms, etc.). I got what I have so far from LMC but then found that they do not list the panels for over the headlights (what I call "eyebrows"). I even called LMC thinking I might have missed it in the catalog, but was told that "if it isn't listed, they don't have it". After that, I searched the net but found nothing.? This is one place they almost always rust out! Surely someone makes a panel for the area.? Any help would be appreciated. Steve

I have a 58 and a 59 with the same rust.

As far as I have found, you can get a whole new fender, but not just the eyebrow. If you find one, let me know.

Welcome to Stovebolt

Decades ago there were repair eyebrows being made, they were made oversized to slip over the existing metal and be welded/riveted in place...not a good fit at all and took lots of bondo to smooth things out.

If your eyebrows are rusted out then more than likely your fender heal and rear brace need repair as well. With the high cost of bodywork labor it's almost cheaper to buy the new fender rather then repair a rusty one.

Mike B

If the only bad area on your fenders is the headlight area what about a donor fender that maybe has rust along the bottom or crash damage but the headlight area is still good?

Foss, PM me. You cant receive yet.

bartamos. He cannot use PM either way until he is out of moderation. Email?

Unfortunately Foss does not have a functional email address in his profile.

Perhaps he can update his profile so folks can contact him directly?

As Martin noted, he is still "moderated" and needs to get a few more posts under his belt to access PM function.

Maybe he can get that going by posting an intro in the Welcome Centre and tell us about himself and his truck? Pictures are encouraged - LOL!

Between posting there and a few replies here, he can get past the "moderated" hump and we can proceed with help from there.

BTW Foss - Welcome to the Stovebolt Community

EDIT: Foss has updated his profile so fellow 'Bolters can reach out that way while he is still "moderated"!

Thanks so much guys. I wasn't sure how things work here as it seems rules differ greatly from one site/forum to another. Combine that with me being a self-confessed computer idiot and I struggle a lot on here. I will indeed update my profile. Since I have already bought the lower fender repair panels and the fenders aren't that bad other than the two areas of rust, I hate to spend $400+ each for new ones. As far as the labor, I can do my own cutting, welding and body work (I just sold a '70 Jeep Commando and did a complete resto on myself and it actually turned out quite nice). And as far as a used fender, they are pricey(if you can find one close to you) and most of them will have the same issue. Anyway, thanks again and I will post if I find a source in case anyone else needs to know.

I have a source. Email me if you need a patch panel for headlight brow area. Click on my user, click profile, see email address.

Bartamos, If you have a source for the patch panels could you share it with the site?

Foss, first welcome to the "BOLT", I have used after market fenders on a past project and was not happy with the product. The stampings were not correct, the bolt holes were not lined up and the gauge of the steel was way to thin. In the end I would have been better off repairing the originals.

@TUTS59: Do you know the source of the bad fenders you got? I have one that I think is fixable if I can get a replacement eyebrow, but the other one is pretty beat.

It would not surprise me if all of the different aftermarket fenders are made by the same factory in China, but I would be interested in learning from your experience.

I did not pruchase the fenders myself, I installed them for my BIL on his 55 2nd series. I believe he ordered them from AMD (Auto metal Direct). I have spoken with several vendors at the larger swap meets, I like you, believe there are only a few actual manufacturers and most vendors seel the same products.

Thanks Bartamos, but unfortunately I am not yet allowed to view anyone's profile .? Not sure how long I have to wait, or what hoop I have to jump through to get "legit".

Steve, You're just a couple posts away from being out of moderation or "legit" as you put it.

Just post a bunch of BS questions about anything and get legit.

I think it's only 5 posts anyway.

See Truck Parts For Sale forum.

Thanks again guys. I will look at that forum.