Quick question. I'm still deciding how far I want to go with my 66. As far as body parts are concerned (rocker arm, doors, fenders etc) who is a good source. I've seen parts in the LMC catalog, are they good quality and is there a used body parts source? Thanks.
In my opinion the best source for sheet metal body parts is another truck, and our host (Classic Parts) for any chrome parts.
In my opinion the LMC body parts stuff isn't very good. Its made in China or Tiawan and is pretty thin and needs some re-work to make it fit properly. I consider the chrome trim repo stuff mostly junk and would rather use original Chevy trim, even if it has a few minor pits and such. I was lucky in that my truck was 100% complete, I am the second owner. I guess the repo stuff is better than nothing..Bruce Kile
I agree. OEM is virtually always better than replacement items, especially the body panels. I'm not aware of anyone that actually makes domestic sheet metal for our trucks other than Mar-K that makes tailgates in Oklahoma: http://www.mar-k.com/catalog/catalog.asp?TruckCode=19601960GS-372 In chrome parts, many of the reproduction parts are similar - and fit, but are not exact and don't work properly. For example I bought a new set of outside door handles, and when originally installed - pushing the button to open the door would result in the button going in too far and sticking in the handle. I got inside the mechanism and corrected the problem by adding washers, but the core problem was the handle was not an exact duplicate of an original. This is fairly typical of aftermarket parts. OEM parts were designed to last for years to avoid warranty issues. Reproduction parts don't have to meet the same standards.
All the sheetmetal you buy for these trucks are shipped from overseas so 1 place is as good as the other. The rocker panels fit pretty good ,fenders take some work and have to much of a gap in the very front of them cab corners are diffinetly a poor fit, AND I Repeat this they all are shipped from overseas they are not made in usa.
I haven't had any trouble with the aftermarket chrome...yet, but then again it hasn't even been on the truck a year. I'm sure the original is better, its just a pain to polish the original aluminum.
Thanks for the info. The two main parts that will need replacing (I think) is the bottom corners of the doors and both rocker panels. Rather than replace the doors, I've seen replacement panels for the bottom of the doors. I have access to a welder to weld them in, I've just never done that type of work before. Same deal with the rocker panels. Thanks again.
Y ou are definetly ahead by replacing the door skins as to looking for a rust free door. remember rust starts from the inside so there is no such thing as a rust free door unless it wasnt used. the bottoms can be made rust free when you take the skin off
