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Body Panel Replacement

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larryboz

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Kansas City, Missouri, USA
I am going to start replacing the body parts then do the motor probably take a year or so to get all the way done but oh well, least I will be teaching myself on the way and of course questions to you guys. Anyways how hard is it to replace the bedsides? I already have fenders, doors rocker panels but it is going to need bedsides. I am going to practice welding on the old body parts but have never replaced the bedsides before. Does anybody have a write up on this? Just wondering how hard this is going to be? Mechanically I am good but never really done body work. But it is not going to be a show vehicle either Just something that looks nice and don't have to worry about taking it off-road when I want to get it dirty.

Larry
 
Send a PM to Blazer_Boy. He's done this and has some pics posted of his progress. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
It took me 2 days to do it to my Blazer. 1 to cut it off and 1 to put the new one on (I took my time). Besides the poor LMC fit, it was quite simple. After carefully cutting off the old one, I just used two pairs of vise grips to clamp it into position (trial and error) then laid down some spot welds to hold it, check fit again then welded the rest up.

I had to remove the tailgate which was no problem but peeling back the bottom 2 inches of the B post skin was a bit tricky. I used a hammer and chissle to slice it so I could bend it back enough to get the new quarter to fit under it. I also used an angle grinder to remove the factory spot welds and most of the tailgate post welds.

Slapped some bondo here and there and it looks 99.9% perfect.


BTW - I did 100% percent of this by myself. It would have been nice to have a buddy help take the quarter on and off, I was afraid of denting it, but it was managable for one guy to do.
 
If it's on a pickup, it's easy. It's basically bolt on except for a small weld at the bottom back by the tailgate. When you put your new sides, on make sure that you leave everything a little loose and put your tailgate back on. Make sure it will close and latch and that the gaps on each side are equal, then start tightening bolts. As you tighten , make sure you keep checking on the tailgate. Lay down the weld last. Then seal up the gaps between the new sides and the wheel tubs with some seam sealer. I am no body man, but I have done this once before and it turned out real well. It was pretty easy. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
You get what you pay for when it comes to body panels, I have done this on my 75 Blazer, the oem is the way to go, pay the extra money it will be worth it, the made in taiwan crap is thinner metal and is a very low quality.

That said there is a company in az called certifit that seels the cheap crap for less than $200.00 for the panel.
 
I made a post about TABCO a long time ago. Hell if I remember where it is. If you're interested, I can find their catalog and give you the phone number to request one. I know a guy that builds Chevy trucks from the ground up and TABCO is the only company he will use. He's compared panels from local shops and LMC to TABCO's and you can definitely see the difference in quality. They die-stamp their panels instead of using a press brake. They use the factory blueprint for the die, so it's guaranteed to fit (almost) perfectly, plus the metal is a couple or three gauges thicker than LMC junk.
 
Yeah same here! I need all of them all the way around, and a floor, and a bed, and a frame! /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif
LMK if you find that magazine/catalog /forums/images/graemlins/deal.gif
 
Last time I checked at the dealer for my 89 Blazer the fenders were $500+, doors were $500+, and the quarter panels were $1k+. That was about 2yrs ago, but I'm sure that prices haven't dropped since then.
 
Am I just not looking hard enough or do they not carry the complete fenders, doors, quarter panels, and tailgates /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
I bought 2 outters 2 inners, and it was more than what your dealer quoted you..............just an FYI


though my panels were PERFECT matches, GUARANTEED...thats what you have to check......most places have a little sentance that says "these may look like sh*t when you get them all banged up but we can't help that"

Brandy
 
/forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif
I must have missed that little disclaimer on the boxes my doors came in. Is that a direct quote? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
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