The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop 37 truck fiberglass parts

After taken my truck apart I am comming to the point that the cost to fix my grille shell, front, and rear fender is going to cost way to much, compared to using fiberglass parts. My question is, has anyone used the grille shell and headlight bucket on there 37 truck? If so how much fitting did it take? Any last but not least, would you do it again? Thanks Jerry

I can not speak about these particular parts. However I have done a lot of glass. Every aftermarket part I ever tried to use took a lot of work to make it fit, and not look like fiberglass when done. You may find better quality today than I could years ago but I'd be surprised.

I have never done that so no help from my side. Will ask my mechanic friend.

Thanks, I know there is going to be some fitting required, but I would like it to be close. Thanks Jerry

With 30+ years experience in composites (carbon fiber/fiberglass/kevlar) I can speak with a bit of authority.

First: Many (most??) fiberglass manufacturers run more parts through a mold than the mold is designed for. As the parts cure they create heat which over time warps the mold. This leaves the parts requiring a certain amount of tweaking before they fit right. Some a bit of tweaking, some a LOT of tweaking. Depending on how comfortable you are with having to modify a part to make it fit is one consideration.

Second: Fiberglass expands and contracts more than metal and more than most topcoats can withstand. Over time nearly all painted fiberglass parts will show checking (spiderwebbing/cracking) of the paint. Look at about any vintage 'Vette with original paint to see what they'll look like. Whether or not you'll be happy with that is another consideration.

Third: Composites can take more minor abuse than steel without showing structural damage. The other side of that coin is metal will dent and still be serviceable where fiberglass, once it reaches the point of failure, is a total loss. Once it breaks it has NO structural integrity. It can be repaired but repair is costly and usually not visually pleasing.

Composites have their place, including in the automotive world but one needs to be aware of the idiosyncrasies of composites and be willing to live with that. Good luck with your project.

I know what you are saying about fiberglass and that is why I ask the question. From the muscle car side of this sport, I know what the panel that came out of china in the begining was far from good and now for the most part they are a lot better. I am concern about the grille shell and the amount of work it will take to get the hood, grille, and the front fender to fit. If the shell is close it will not be too bad if not I will have wasted $350 + shipping. Thanks Jerry

Haven't used the grille shell but I have been running fiberglass fenders, front and rear, along with fiberglass running boards on my 37 since 1999 without any problems at all. I do drive my truck and take it on some nice trips.

On fiberglass parts I've gotten there is usually some sort of indention, or way to tell, where the bolt holes go. This usually helps get the piece in the right place before drilling all the holes in the fiberglass. I've used R&R fiberglass in Tenn for most all my projects.
Tiny makes some good points and I'd like to add to them that when you get a fiberglass piece it may still be "green" and subject to warping ect, so if not installing right away be careful how you lay it down or hang it up so it won't deform.

thanks, I will not be putting on the fender quickly and now that I know about the warping I will make sure that I lay them down correctly. Thanks again Jerry and by the way I am from Ware shores SC orignal

Ocala37truck, Ware Shoals, Man, your getting REAL close to my neck of the woods to!!!

Hope it all works out on your truck.

I had bad luck with Superior Glass out of Oregon - fenders didn't even come close to fitting. To their credit, they took them back and gave full refund. I have heard good things about R & R that Alvin mentioned. They are in your neck of the woods I think ?

...I'm not sure about superior but I do know that Richard hand "laps" his fiberglass. No low or thin spots. I have recommended R&R a good bit and so far only one fellow bolter that I know of had a problem with one of his fenders.
The thing I try to remember is stay away from any fiberglass that is sprayed..which lends itself to thin, or heavy low spots.

..not sure about "today's" market but Richard has been doing fiberglass for about 30years now.

I order my running board and rear fender from R&R yesterday. They were a lot of help. Thanks for telling be about them, Jerry