6066 (1960-1966) GMC Truck Club Bitcoin now accepted here! 
Pay Dues
Pay Dues or become a Site Supporter
 



Go Back   6066 (1960-1966) GMC Truck Club > 6066 GMC Truck Club Forum > Exterior, Bodywork, Paint and Glass


Exterior, Bodywork, Paint and Glass Beauty is only 4 coats deep...

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old January 31st, 2018, 03:23 AM
Red 66 Red 66 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Reelsville, In
Truck: 1966 GMC 3/4 ton
Age: 60
Posts: 4
Rep Power: 0
Red 66 is on a distinguished road
Default Quality of aftermarket parts

Hi from Indiana...my first post as a new member.
I have a 1966 1500. I am starting to tear it all apart and I will be needing some new inner fenders, possibly new grill support and radiator support and other patch panels. My question: is there a difference in the quality of new panels from the suppliers of these parts (LMC, Classic Industries, Auto Metal Direct). Does one of these companies (or even another company) have better quality than any one of the other?
Thanks for your HELP and I am glad I found this site.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old January 31st, 2018, 05:49 PM
AZKen's Avatar
AZKen AZKen is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: AZ
Truck: 6066GMC
Posts: 1,605
Rep Power: 513
AZKen is just really niceAZKen is just really niceAZKen is just really niceAZKen is just really niceAZKen is just really niceAZKen is just really nice
Default Re: Quality of aftermarket parts

Hello Red, Glad you joined. The basic answer is no. No difference. The same Chinese "Peoples Patch Panel Factory" supplies the world . This is true with many other "new" parts. Not all. Just get the best price. I find that the best prices are at Classic trucks of America. 90% of the time you will have to tweak the panels, or the truck, in some way to get a good fit. Remember the rule: only cut out as much as is necessary. Many times you only use a portion of the patch panel. Leave as much of the virgin metal as possible.

I seems you are speaking of two different subjects. New parts and patch panels.
Some of the items you mention are whole parts, not patch panels. When you need a whole part, it is worth the effort to find an original donor part from a GMC or Chevy. They fit better and are cheaper.

Below is: to whom it may concern:

Bit of advice. Take pictures of gaps and how things go together. Keep track of hardware. Reuse the hardware. Chase all internal and external threads. Drill any hinges with two 1/8 holes, spread out a little, thru the hinge and structure, so that you can stick two 1/8 drill bits in holes to place hinged component back in original position if desired. (doors, hood).

I would also advise not doing the "buy everything at once" syndrome (*). Some folks think that's the way to start a project, Wrong! This is why you see so many guys selling their "project" with a crap load of new parts. Work on one area at a time and get those parts as you go. Don't buy any "dress up" parts until finished with the important stuff. Do the rust, dent, patch and prime work first. Try not to scatter parts all over the place. If you do that, after a month or a year, you will think it's too big a job to finish and lose interest.

There are all kinds of reasons that people think one vendor's parts are better. The Chinese part from the same factory has bad quality control. Thus bad batches arrive at various times at various vendors. This can happen on several parts and make us think that vendors parts are worse than another. Our vendors have no control nor can they threaten when there is a single supplier. The vendor is going to buy from the cheapest supplier. That's China. China does not allow competition within. So there is one maker of parts.

Then there is the users truck which was repaired over the 60 year history. Repairs done wrong, out of whack, crooked, and so on. This is then blamed on the "new" part.

Then there is the whacky user who does not know what they are doing, screw up the job and blame the parts. It's a never ending fight and opinionated subject. You just learn to buy from whomever you want and make the part work. Whatever it takes. Vendors would not stay in business if their parts don't fit. Their return policy is a consideration to me also. (*) When you buy parts too far in advance, you may pass the return policy limit by the time you see a problem.

Last edited by AZKen; January 31st, 2018 at 08:04 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old February 1st, 2018, 01:45 PM
jbgroby's Avatar
jbgroby jbgroby is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Lacombe, LA.
Truck: 1960 8' fleetside
Posts: 696
Rep Power: 268
jbgroby will become famous soon enoughjbgroby will become famous soon enoughjbgroby will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Quality of aftermarket parts

Red, I sent a PM to ya.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Interchangeable aftermarket parts Adam Kenner GMC V6 and V12 Engines 5 September 30th, 2017 05:20 AM
Re: weatherstrip quality from GMC Paul's? Panel/'burb barn door rattle fixes? Archiver Previous Forum Posts 0 November 16th, 2008 12:59 AM
weatherstrip quality from GMC Paul's? Panel/'burb barn door rattle fixes? Archiver Previous Forum Posts 0 November 6th, 2008 02:37 AM
Re: [6066 GMC] HEI Continued Conversion 101 - Choice of Relay Quality Archiver Previous Forum Posts 0 January 3rd, 2006 12:06 AM
aftermarket parts Archiver Previous Forum Posts 0 February 28th, 2001 12:56 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:08 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd 681711554703|1710436125|0