Replacement body panels

[scott85]

Just wondering what the consensus here is on replacement sheet metal. I need a outer/inner rocker, cab corner, and front wheel wells....possibly the lower portion of the kick panel on the drivers side as well......anyway, LMC has a pretty big selection, as does JC Whitney. I have seen some on 73-87 chevy trucks.com.....and i know that the stealership still has rockers at $208 a piece. Anyone here have experience with replacement sheet metal that can offer an opinion as far as the quality is concerned? i would like to only have to do this once!

thanks
Scott

 

[FWP]

The stuff is made overseas. It sometimes doesn't fit right, and is dented. It's also thinner metal, like 18-20 ga, where the GM stuff is more like 14.

I'm building a 73- I will not use aftermarket replacement panels. I did that once on my old yellow truck, won't do it again.

 

[RootBreaker]

i use aftermarket.. depends on what you expect...
i butt chechked my aftermarket door and dented it....
but for $53 im not complaining

 

[Jrgunn5150]

My dad bought some Taiwan fenders for the old 74, and they were visibly thinner.

 

[76zimmer]

My dad bought some Taiwan fenders for the old 74, and they were visibly thinner.

And great for offroad.
If not go with Genuine GM you won't be sorry.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Yeah, it was a woodhaulin 3/4 ton 4x4 I learned to drive in it. He had me go between two trees once, the fender's cleared, then the door's hung up, I gassed it and peeled those back like a banana peel!

 

[FWP]

And great for offroad.
If not go with Genuine GM you won't be sorry.

Agreed, except for the core support My aftermarket lasted a whole 3 months before the cracks showed up. Junked the 99 dollar POS and bought a GM version for 250.

 

[scott85]

wow, there's reallly that much of a difference? im sitting here thinking a rocker is a rocker is a rocker....im going to have to re-think my whole game plan if in fact they are that bad. any other opinions out there?

 

[Cornfield creations]

A lot of stuff is hard to find, GM has discontinued the doors and fenders and bedsides. They still make the rockers, I say if it lasted 30 years as a GM, It's worth the investment so it lasts another 30. I got aftermarket doors and fenders and bedsides, they are thinner, but if that's all you can get what can ya do?