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1974 Blazer-Rear 'wheelhouse' metal

GoAWOL

GoAWOL

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Having a difficult time finding any replacement pieces for the ones shown below. I have found the outer skin and the wheel housings that you can see from the inside cargo area, but I cannot locate the pieces that go in between the two where the outer skin rides on.

Does anyone have any info on repro parts?

rearquarter.JPG
 
This is the only thing I can find

Is this it? Referred to as a wheel skirt. Doesn't look anything like what's there now.

wheel skirt.jpg
 
Yeah, it's technically a pick-up part, not a Blazer part...but it's what was there and what works. I ripped mine from an 8' pick-up box.
 
tRustyK5 said:
Yeah, it's technically a pick-up part, not a Blazer part...but it's what was there and what works. I ripped mine from an 8' pick-up box.
Click to expand...

I guess the $40 question (plus shipping) is if it will work on my Blazer.
 
Well, I grafted mine in. Rust was the lower 2" around the fender opening, the rest was fine. So, I cut out a much larger section of the pick-up piece, laid it over the Blazer part and scribed a "cut line". Then I cut to that line as close as possible, and fit the non rusted pick-up piece to the K5. Worked quite well.

I dunno if and how that part might completely unbolt, and it was too long ago to remember vividly.
 
I'll give it a go with the driver side first. If it works out I'll order the passenger side. The salvage yards here have the trucks but they're in just as bad shape, if not worse.

What's really disappointing is the difference in metal thickness between original and repro parts. You have to be fairly decent with a MIG to get it to look decent. Right now I'm getting practice in on areas that aren't visible but at some point I'll need to get to the visible areas.

I've also come to the conclusion that our trucks were not made to ever be rust proof. They just can't be with the way the metal was wrapped over other metal pieces and not sealed/painted correctly. It's frustrating to say the least. Then add in cheap, thin, crappy replacement metal....arghh!

I guess I need some cheese with my whine.
 
Preachin to the choir my friend!

I was fortunate to be able to rob some OE sections for my rust repair, it is a lot thicker.

I wish they would stamp out these panels for our truck in stainless...
 
tRustyK5 said:
Preachin to the choir my friend!

I was fortunate to be able to rob some OE sections for my rust repair, it is a lot thicker.

I wish they would stamp out these panels for our truck in stainless...
Click to expand...

Been considering making a run to a New Mexico or Arizona salvage yard just for a chance at some original steel in decent shape.

Stainless would be nice. We wouldn't have to worry about rust on those panels at least.

Another observation is that all repro panels are not created equal. The ones I ordered from LMC were noticeably thinner.
 
I have heard all the different "brands" of repro panels are really stamped by one single company in China, then various brand stickers are applied. Don't know that for sure though...

The only really good ones are leftover NOS patch panels, which are getting rarer and rarer by the day.
 
tRustyK5 said:
I have heard all the different "brands" of repro panels are really stamped by one single company in China, then various brand stickers are applied. Don't know that for sure though...

The only really good ones are leftover NOS patch panels, which are getting rarer and rarer by the day.
Click to expand...

I've seen that theory in multiple posts here and my experience is that there is a difference. Granted, the bottom line is that the metal is all around cheap crap...there just seems to be a degree of difference between some providers. It may be 22 gauge vs. 23 gauge but the last fender patch I received from LMC is horrible.

I'm thinking an entirely stainless K5 could return to the 70's and introduce car makers to a painting process that prevents rust. Instead of Michael J. Fox we could enlist Ryoken and a trusty can of zinc chromate. Just an idea...:popcorn:
 
That would be worthwhile...now we just gotta find someone brave enough to drive an old K5 88 mph! :D
 
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