Side panels (bedside) K5 Blazer...how to replace?

[namkrow]

How hard is it to replace the side panel (rear wheel well from door to tailight)?

Where do you get one?
This is for a 1974 model.
It's messed up pretty good and I'd like to replace it.

I realize I'll be drilling out spot welds, but...what else?
-Tom

 

[75-K5]

This?

http://www.gmcpauls.com/pictures/73-91/Complete%20Upper%20Wheel%20Arch.jpg

 

[namkrow]

that's most of it, but it appears to be one piece. I was wondering if you can get the whole assembly from spot weld at the rear of the front door to the tail light area.

on that site and most others, they only show patch panels.
mine has bondo all over it and it got hit again (looks bad now...

Thanks for any helpe you can offer.
-Tom

 

[HarryH3]

Lots of drilling, sawing, and swearing. /forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif I have a complete drivers side rear quarter from an '88, but getting it from here to Southern California would be difficult. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif To use a later quarter on a '73-75 requires a patch panel be fabbed into place at the top, front edge of the panel. The later trucks have the back edge of the cab attached there, while you want it smooth for the '73-75 top to fit properly.

 

[namkrow]

It's a 73 to 75 model.
I know the area you're talking about. There's a seam on my 77 right htere.
Anyway, where to get one?
If I tried to take one off a truck, it would most definitely be destroyed by the time I had it apart.

Does some place sell them new?
-T

 

[HarryH3]

You can buy new panels from www.lmctruck.com but they run $400-450 per side. /forums/images/graemlins/yikes.gif

 

[namkrow]

I just looked in their catalog and found it. (never saw it there before! lol)

Anyway, $289 per side (not too bad...)
-T

 

[HarryH3]

Wow, they're dropped their prices on those by quite a bit in the last year or two! They used to get $400 for one side and $450 for the other. /forums/images/graemlins/yikes.gif

 

[75-K5]

Their metal is probably 2 gauges thinner now too. /forums/images/graemlins/yikes.gif

 

[HarryH3]

[ QUOTE ]
Their metal is probably 2 gauges thinner now too. /forums/images/graemlins/yikes.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Good point!!! /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/angryfire.gif

 

[namkrow]

That's good news! I'll be lighter on the driver's side! (to offset my 260 lbs) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
-T