The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Poor fit of replacement panels...

Hi all, I'm real frustrated this weekend... some metal work on the 59 Apache... poor fitting replacement panels... This is the first TF truck that I have done. It is very straight and original, so I know I have a solid base. I have done numerous Model A Fords and Mustangs, Camaros, Novas, Cutlass, etc. over the last 35 years, so this isn't my first time. I recently started the cab work on my Apache, and what a time getting GOOD FITTING steel. I ordered a pair of cab corners, very disappointed. Step well, disappointed. Door inners/bottoms, unreal disappointment. A rocker panel that wasn't even completely formed! Am I alone with my expectations for quality? Please, let me know what you all are finding with your projects. Especially if you have found someone selling a panel superior to the others. I have done a fair amount of research over the years, and it really seems our choices are limited. Sincerely looking for answers, Grant.

Goodmark is great, but I don't know if they have parts for your truck. Check them out online.

where did you source the parts? might be some poor repros around - yes Goodmark has the TF parts, and most FLAPS suppliers use them [Cross Canada Auto Body up north] .... another supplier is Dynacorn - both make parts with reasonable fit, but I've never seen a patch that didn't take some adjusting to the vehicle - for these ol trucks they're using dies reproduced from drawings or good original parts, not like the parts for later cars, some of which are from existing era dies

I've had no problem with the step/rocker pieces from Goodmark/Cross Canada - haven't used the repro corners, but one truck I patched with good corners cut off a scrap cab took as much fiddling as any repro patch I've used

Bill

Kind of goes with the territory unforunately Grant...I've done most of those repairs on my 55 2nd series. My first welding of patch panels ever was the corners. I had good looking patch panels. My first welding job came out excellent. After gring the weld you honestly couldn't tell a repair had been made.. I have that disease when I don't know when to quit..so I gound them a little more until I gound thru the paper thin metal. Finally cut one side off and bought another patch panel. It wasn't even close to looking like the one on the other side. That detail that is a continuation or the rocker panel varies quite a bit from supplier to supplier..size wise..and the degree of "crispness". Anyway I eventually made the new one look like the other with some creative welding. I think most of us accept the idea that we will have to do this from time to time. My rocker/step combos were real nice and came from Rico's Rods and relics. I feel your pain..Dig in and get to work unless you want to start auditioning sheet metal parts..

Good luck and have fun

Keith

Grant & Keith

Where did you get your parts from, good and bad.

Thanks,

Hi, Grant here. Just finished up with Classic Parts... Mindy is a real good service rep. They have acknowledged problems with cab corners, credited my account. I have now ordered from Brown's of Two Rivers WI as they carry Cross Canada, which came recommended by some Bolters. I'll give them a try. I AM NOT SLAMMING CLASSIC PARTS... they have been very supportive and helpful! thanks for the responses and advice. Grant.

How are the replacement panels and such from LMC Truck, anybody know?? I usually buy from them, I'm getting ready to order rocker panels for the first time from them.

Thanks,

Iron Clad

Hi all, Grant here. My packages came today from Brown's of Two Rivers and LMC. The Brown's part is the exact same one as Classic Parts, and has the same poor form. The one from LMC is beautiful! Very well stamped. It will weld into place quite easily. FYI troups! Grant.

Did you order cab corners from LMC or something else? Your conclusion on the Brown's and Classic Parts cab corners supports the commonly held belief that all parts come from one supplier.