The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop AD inner fender panels

I am getting ready to paint my inner fender panels and noticed the drivers side is considerably lighter than the passenger side. The panels look almost identical with the same funky folds to make the corner and the same type of recesses. The truck, a 1952 1/2 ton, sat up on blocks (out in the weather) for 24 years before I got it so if it did not come stock this way it is a very old replacement panel. Anybody know if the stock panels varied considerably in weight?

Chuck

The passenger side one bolts directly to the toeboard and the drivers side one is a little shorter at the back and mounts to the emergency brake bracket so I guess it would be a little lighter but not by much. Try comparing the thickness of them.

The passenger side weighs 17# and is .060 inches. The driver side is 11# and is .040 inches. The passenger side is a very strong piece by itself. The driver side feels somewhat tinny in comparison. By my measurements the driver side is exactly the same thickness as the splash shield below the radiator and the radiator cover that mounts the hood latch.

I have looked very closely for any differences between the two sides and cannot really see any differences in the way they are made except the thickness of the metal. These inner panels seem very important in supporting and tying parts together and if I have an inferior part I would like to know that and try and find a good original. On the other hand, is it possible the truck came this way for reasons I don't understand, or is it possible the heavier piece was stock to a heavier truck than my 1/2 ton? I really hope someone can answer this for me.

Chuck