Any Experience with "Restoration Grade" Body Panels from GMC Pauls?

[RoccoK5]

I'm in the process of tearing down my 77 K5 and planning out the build, and am considering replacing the fenders, hood, and door shells. The parts currently on my truck aren't terrible; the fenders do have some rust and the doors and hood would need some work before paint. Just thinking that if the GMCPauls parts are truly resto grade and fit like OEM, I could save a lot of time in body work and prep.

I do have experience with some cheap fenders (CertiFit), and they fit poorly and were thinner/lighter than OEM -- I don't want to go that route. Does anyone have experience with the panels from GMCPauls? Any comments on fitment and quality?

 

[imiceman44]

I'm in the process of tearing down my 77 K5 and planning out the build, and am considering replacing the fenders, hood, and door shells. The parts currently on my truck aren't terrible; the fenders do have some rust and the doors and hood would need some work before paint. Just thinking that if the GMCPauls parts are truly resto grade and fit like OEM, I could save a lot of time in body work and prep.

I do have experience with some cheap fenders (CertiFit), and they fit poorly and were thinner/lighter than OEM -- I don't want to go that route. Does anyone have experience with the panels from GMCPauls? Any comments on fitment and quality?

I'd get the answer from the horse's mouth.
@GMCPaul

 

[HankScorpio]

I have not used sheetmetal but the weatherstrip from GMC pauls is top notch, OE or even better. Shipping was fast, good company in my opinion.

 

[LLeff]

As with any aftermarket part there will be some adjustment modification or tweaking to fit. That being said they try to provide people with the best aftermarket parts available.

 

[texarback]

Hey guys, I know this is a semi old thread but I didn't want to start a new post seeing how this topic has already been started.

I'm restoring a 74 GMC Jimmy.

I need all the parts for the front end. I am looking at GMCPaul and here is what I am looking to buy:

Hood, Restoration Grade

Front Fender - Right, Premium Quality Restoration Grade

Front Fender - Left, Premium Quality Restoration Grade

Front - Inner Fender Left, Restoration Grade

Front - Inner Fender Right, Restoration Grade

Rear - Wheel Housing - Left, Premium Grade Restoration

Rear - Wheel Housing - Right, Premium Grade Restoration

Rear - Inner Wheelhouse - Left

Rear - Inner Wheelhouse - Right

Radiator Support

Outer Rocker Panel - Left

Outer Rocker Panel - Right

Foot Well - Left

Foot Well - Right

Cab Mount Floor Support - Left

Cab Mount Floor Support - Left

Cab Floor Support Rear - Left

Cab Floor Support Rear - Right

Extended Front Floor - Left

Extended Front Floor - Right

Font Floor w/ backing plate - Left

Front Floor w/backing plate - Right

Cab Outer Floor Section - Left

Cab Outer Floor Section - Right

Battery Tray

Battery Tray Support

The shipping for all this is around $500 which I'm not too bothered by.

However, LMC for example offers free shipping for purchases over $2500. The $500 in shipping can get me to that price point and I can get a bunch of additional things that I need.

Everything I have read indicates Paul offers great parts. I have been emailing with them and they have offered great advice and have been very responsive. They have written back explaining why their parts are the best out there and I really do believe them.

But, I have never restored a vehicle before and I've already tripped up on parts that I have purchased; not buying the right thing. You can only spend your money once.

Here is the question: Is GMCPaul worth the premium? My gut says yes but wanted to see what you guys think.

 

[bradshawtech]

Hey guys, I know this is a semi old thread but I didn't want to start a new post seeing how this topic has already been started.

I'm restoring a 74 GMC Jimmy.

I need all the parts for the front end. I am looking at GMCPaul and here is what I am looking to buy:

Hood, Restoration Grade

Front Fender - Right, Premium Quality Restoration Grade

Front Fender - Left, Premium Quality Restoration Grade

Front - Inner Fender Left, Restoration Grade

Front - Inner Fender Right, Restoration Grade

Rear - Wheel Housing - Left, Premium Grade Restoration

Rear - Wheel Housing - Right, Premium Grade Restoration

Rear - Inner Wheelhouse - Left

Rear - Inner Wheelhouse - Right

Radiator Support

Outer Rocker Panel - Left

Outer Rocker Panel - Right

Foot Well - Left

Foot Well - Right

Cab Mount Floor Support - Left

Cab Mount Floor Support - Left

Cab Floor Support Rear - Left

Cab Floor Support Rear - Right

Extended Front Floor - Left

Extended Front Floor - Right

Font Floor w/ backing plate - Left

Front Floor w/backing plate - Right

Cab Outer Floor Section - Left

Cab Outer Floor Section - Right

Battery Tray

Battery Tray Support

The shipping for all this is around $500 which I'm not too bothered by.

However, LMC for example offers free shipping for purchases over $2500. The $500 in shipping can get me to that price point and I can get a bunch of additional things that I need.

Everything I have read indicates Paul offers great parts. I have been emailing with them and they have offered great advice and have been very responsive. They have written back explaining why their parts are the best out there and I really do believe them.

But, I have never restored a vehicle before and I've already tripped up on parts that I have purchased; not buying the right thing. You can only spend your money once.

Here is the question: Is GMCPaul worth the premium? My gut says yes but wanted to see what you guys think.

I say yes, worth the money. I’m very happy with @gmcpauls

 

[ktmoutfront]

I have not used their stuff, but the LMC stuff is junk.

 

[texarback]

What makes LMC junk?

 

[HankScorpio]

What makes LMC junk?

Problems with fitment, usually due to worn out dies and poor manufacturing standards.

 

[ktmoutfront]

Material is measured as 0.toothin.

 

[ryoken]

i do not any experience with the newer released, more $$$$ panels that came out some yrs back now... all the cheap crap I used prior comes from the same Taiwan factory, just rebadged IMO...


but I have heard the more expensive line of fenders and such are much closer in thickness, and fit I would hope, to OEM stuff..

 

[texarback]

it is so hard to know.

In my researching Paul/LMC/Classic/USA1/etc I have read great reviews about Paul’s weather stripping because he supplies Precision to his customers. The same folks had negative things to say about LMC because their offerings didn’t come from Precision.

Well, I ordered all my stripping from LMC and it all came from Precision. Maybe things are changing and LMC has upped their quality. It impossible to know though.

My only complaint about LMC so far is when you call them you talk to someone who obviously is just an order taker. So far the person on the other end of the line has not shown a real ability to talk about the parts they offer from a technical perspective. Conversely, Paul sends very good explanations for what they offer but you can only communicate via email.

A good start would be for these pass through companies to tell their customers who the manufacturer is for the parts that they are selling. Then you could do a meaningful comparison between suppliers. I don’t know why that would be a bad thing. It would cause everyone to up their game.