The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Fenders

Is it worth putting the time and effort in fixing the front fenders ,or just buy fiberglass? My fenders will need some metal work.they have some small dents and dings and some rust that need repaired.I have the ability but don't know if I want to put the work into them.

My 2 cents,
If the fenders are mostly there,aka better than 75%
And You Can do the work, FIX EM!
You got it this far apart.
Dosn,nt look like Your in a mad rush anyway.
Obvious You are not making a,and I Despise the term,RAT ROD.

Repops are avail. but Not the same as the Original steel
It,s rewarding in the end result.
steve sr.

Down side to fiberglass fronts is the structural nature of these trucks, the front end functions as a structural unit. Radiator support-fenders-fender supports-cab I think long-term they will be trouble. JMO.

To add to what Brad is saying.
It doesn,t look like You are making a trailer queen out of it,if so, fiberg.semi ok.
As a usable,functioning truck,fiberglass will crack cause of the structure and flex that He is taking about.
steve sr.

Metal Shaper,

I would go as your a.k.a. implies! I agree with steve sr and Brad Allen on their thoughts 100%!!! I have taken fenders that were less than 60% useable and brought them back. Same with tailgates and a few sets of doors etc.. The satisfaction to say "I did the work" is its own reward!

Though, if time, is concern and you have the cash.... It is your truck!

I would NOT use fiberglass parts. Just study the average KW or freightliner big rig, most that have some years on them, the fiberglass hood fender combo's are cracked. Fiberglass is okay for cutting a few corners repairing some things, for corvetts, and boats, thats it.
And besides goto some of the outfits, like filling station, LMC truck parts etc. you can usually get brand new steel parts.
And why would someone say the repops are not as good as the original steel? The gauge is good, and solid metal is way better than metal with rust throughs. Plus they are even painted where the factory never did.

Leave the fiberglass to the boat guys

Depends on your time and what its worth. I have had fiberglass fenders on all four corners of mine for 13 years with out problems. One thing I would do different is have the underside of them heavily coated with bed liner or undercoating. Rock "star" marks are in the front fenders from being thrown off the tires. I suspect steel may do the same thing, but never having them I wouldn't know. I didn't want to look for steel fenders for years, so that was my reason, and at the time, they were only $125 each. I couldn't have fixed mine for that. In all the years I have had mine at shows or meetings, no one has ever come along and said anything about fiberglass, most of the time I point it out to show the wider rear fenders. And for over all value of the truck, I doubt it makes much difference.

Joe

I'd stay with the original fenders if at all possible. It's nice being able to say the truck is " all steel " as there aren't many out there. You may also have some fitting issues when it comes to glass parts - kinda a crapshoot it seems.

From your pictures on Photobucket it looks like you are working a 41-46. I'am in the same project with a 41. No steel repo fenders front or rear are available from any of the venders that I know of. You see them on Ebay now and again (cost and conditon)with most are a concern. If you have the talent put it to use and you will be more pleased with the result and the structure of the front end will be a lot more solid. I have re worked mine as well as the bedsides, tailgate, doors, top, and rear of the cab. Really pleased with the results. And I know that they will last longer with use. JMO.

Thanks for the replies .I will have to look them over again and decide.I have worked in sheetmetal and fabrication for close to 30yrs.I can fix them, but am getting a little lazy as im getting older

I have to add I use fiberglass on my rears and I am very satisfied with them. But for anyone who has put one of these front ends together you have to push, pull, prod, cuss and drink to get through it. Then think what that glass is doing as you go down the road it is literally tearing every bolt hole apart. It is not the right application for these trucks. It will eventually as the miles roll up lead to difficult to repair failures, the weak link is the attachment points, a bolt hole in fiberglass has a limited life at best.

...I'm with Joe H. on this one. I've ran fiberglass front and rear fenders AND running boards on my 37 for 12 years now. I drive my pickup and at high speeds on the interstate. I'll even admit I do not have the back brace on the rear fenders so I get a little "shake" when idling. However, none of the glass has cracked or starred yet. I'd do it all over again. It certainly more economical than what I would have paid a body man.

If metal shaper is not a "purist" and getting old like me then I'd recommend the glass and say drive it! JMO.