The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - 55.2-59 the age old aftermarket fender question

b-mac · 12-05-2018, 10:08 AM

It seems to me like the re-pop manufactures use a part (fender) and make a cast out of that, rather than getting hold of the original stamp/tooling (probably long gone.)

Thus, it always seems like the re-pops are essentially the thickness of the metal too small, or too big. That means an of your body lines, mounting spots, bends, etc. are off by 1/16th of an inch plus. Small panels you can get away with it, but a whole fender, I would imagine you'll have a massive amount of time involved in fab/mod work to get them perfect, ie: cuts, adding metal, welding, massaging, etc.

My father has been in auto-body for over 40 years. Reproduction panels for an vehicle, new or old, and even throughout the years, all seem to have these problems.

Not to mention that difference in quality and thickness of metal between old and new.

But I feel you. My fenders need a ton of work, and I've been tempted.

I don't know if PaulsPickupParts on this forum has any trucks of your year, but he's helped me out before.

12-05-2018, 10:08 AM	#5
b-mac Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Wichita Posts: 516	Re: the age old aftermarket fender question It seems to me like the re-pop manufactures use a part (fender) and make a cast out of that, rather than getting hold of the original stamp/tooling (probably long gone.) Thus, it always seems like the re-pops are essentially the thickness of the metal too small, or too big. That means an of your body lines, mounting spots, bends, etc. are off by 1/16th of an inch plus. Small panels you can get away with it, but a whole fender, I would imagine you'll have a massive amount of time involved in fab/mod work to get them perfect, ie: cuts, adding metal, welding, massaging, etc. My father has been in auto-body for over 40 years. Reproduction panels for an vehicle, new or old, and even throughout the years, all seem to have these problems. Not to mention that difference in quality and thickness of metal between old and new. But I feel you. My fenders need a ton of work, and I've been tempted. I don't know if PaulsPickupParts on this forum has any trucks of your year, but he's helped me out before.