The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Rear splash pan on panel

I have two panel trucks 48-53 and I have two rear splash panels and am metal working them currently. When I compared them I realized that one has a slope at the rear edge with a sealing strip of some sort stapled through the metal edge and the other one has a "J" shape if you would cut it as a cross section. Presumably the "J" shape also holds a sealing strip that has an edge that goes in the trough of the "J" and part that seals against the inside of the bumper. Is this from a difference between years or what? Seems like they both would do the intended job - just in a different way.
Thanks for any insight anyone has! Jay

I have seen that as well. On my 47 the panel the edge was rounded and the seal was stapled on. My panel was crunched so I sourced a replacement original. It had the j slot which I presume was a later improvement to make the seal easier to install and hold. The j slot was cut off of my replacement panel so I could use a flat piece of seal. I have not seen the seals reproduced and figured to be using a generic rubber seal and adapting it to fit, My stapler is not capable of that thick material so it will be glue and screw. In my prowling the internet during the last week or two I have seen these panels are being reproduced. It was only a few hundred for the piece which makes it reasonable depending on how much metal working you have to do. Since I have my issue solved I did not pay attention to who was selling that item but there are only a dozen or so sites that sell this stuff. I think they all get their stuff from only 1 or, in some cases, 2 suppliers.

Chev's Of The 40's has the seal for the "J" shaped apron.

Thanks Mark. I will be needing one in the near future.

I used that newer type of seal on my '47 because that's all I could find, and I didn't know about the later change in profile. It worked, but I'm not impressed with the space between splash panel and bumper on the ends.

Your bumper seems to be curved challenged??

Walter, that may be a pickup rear bumper, which IIRC, is flatter than either the front bumper or a panel rear bumper. Also, the bracket seems to be sticking out too far.