Cab corner sheet metal review

[CKfan]

Read a few threads regarding cab corner fitment and thought I would add an experiment of my own.

In my experience, no matter whom I bought them from, all needed slicing and dicing. Also, different dealers just drop ship AMD stuff which has been the worst (IMO). On the plus side, all manufacturers seem to be using metal thickness that is similar to OEM.

Following the "you get what you pay for" method....I went to National Parts Depot (20 minutes away) bought 2 cheap one's ($19 ea) marked AMD and 2 expensive ($49 ea) No Name labeled. Both sets looked a lot alike but the more expensive ones seemed to have better shapes and nicer edges.

When I got to the garage I did a quick test fit of each with no modifications. The AMD sheet metal was HIDEOUS! The other fit almost perfect.

I have included pictures of the AMD mocked up on both sides and the other brand mocked up on the passenger's side as those both fit great. Having done this, I am able to fend off the AMD fans saying my truck must be bent out of shape. : ) Besides, I use a lot of other AMD stuff with no issues.

Notice the AMD metal hanging into the door jam almost 1/2 inch and hanging down below the rocker between 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch. Also, the AMD metal had the wrong curve on the bottom. Wasn't even close to the shape of the rocker and angled up sharply to the back.

One guys opinion, but the pictures don't lie.

[CKfan]

The Nation Parts Depot (unknown brand) driver's side just clamped into place without any mods and fits really good just like passenger's side did.

As you can see, there is a huge difference in the amount of work it will take to get proper fitment between the cheap AMD ones and the more expensive NPD labeled ones.

Hopefully, someone out there will know where NPD sources their better cab corners and let us all know. NPD staff had only guesses.

[Getter-Done]

Thanks for the Pictures and Review.

I worked at a Tool and Die shop for about a year

There is a lot of engineering that goes into a great fitting part.

Beyond that it is expensive to Maintenance the Stamping Die.

Most of the time they run bad parts till something in the die breaks


AMD may get them from a Supplier that runs their Stamping Dies a little bit too long before repair.

They may get them from a place like this one in the Video

Chinese stamping plant - YouTube

[CKfan]

That video is crazy!

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by CKfan

That video is crazy!

Yeah

That was a running joke for the Japanese guys I worked with, in the Tool and Die job I had.

I remember one particular (car part)
that I drove to 3 states to fix the current issue,
It was The driver-side mirror (pocket) piece on a N___an Al__ma.

The Blanking die in Alabama was making a burr on the part.
So I went down there to sharpen the shear.

Then the transfer dies in Tn. that stamped this flat plate into shape
needed shimming to pass QA inspection.

Then one last trip to Georgia to get the die that stamps
the part that the DS window rolls up into Working correctly.,
Which this piece gets welded to the mirror pocket there in that plant.

Now once the window sash piece is welded to the mirror piece in Georgia,
From there it was shipped to Smyrna Tn.
where it got welded to the lower part of the door assembly.

And we wonder why new cars cost so much.


I am sure with these pieces that go on our truck,
That there is a lot of this going on.

And some of the Stamping plants probably Ignore the Quality Assurance Inspectors.
Because to them it not as important as a Production vehicle.

Just my 2 cents.

[tutone]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Thanks for the Pictures and Review.

I worked at a Tool and Die shop for about a year

There is a lot of engineering that goes into a great fitting part.

Beyond that it is expensive to Maintenance the Stamping Die.

Most of the time they run bad parts till something in the die breaks


AMD may get them from a Supplier that runs their Stamping Dies a little bit too long before repair.

They may get them from a place like this one in the Video



Chinese stamping plant - YouTube

"Safety First"
I find also that the outer door skins are about 1/8th shy of a gm door. That is much harder to allow for, especially if you want great gaps.
Cab corners have always been hit or miss for me.

[Jason Banks]

I got a very bad, Bed Front Panel from AMD, still have it because I scuffed it before I realized how bad it was. Posted about it on social media, but no offer to replace or refund.

[CKfan]

Got one cab corner welded in today and there was ZERO slicing and dicing. Fit perfect, zero alterations...... almost never happens and I have done more than I want to recall.

I am going to go pick up a few extra sets from NPD to have on hand. Factoring in the stamping process and the replies to this thread, I will chance that I am getting them from the same batch, so I hope.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by CKfan

Got one cab corner welded in today and there was ZERO slicing and dicing. Fit perfect, zero alterations...... almost never happens and I have done more than I want to recall.

I am going to go pick up a few extra sets from NPD to have on hand. Factoring in the stamping process and the replies to this thread, I will chance that I am getting them from the same batch, so I hope.

That looks like Money.