Louisiana Classic Truck Club

Chris brought his new fenders out yesterday so I could fit them prior to finishing the body work. These fenders fit so well I told Chris that I needed to start a thread about which aftermarket parts I have found to have the best fit and finish and more importantly, let everyone know which ones I have found to be the worst fit/finish so everyone can skip that part of the trial and error process.

Its no secret to anyone that knows me that I WILL NOT use Goodmark brand parts unless there is just no other manufacturer that makes the panel I need or I cant find a factory patch panel to use. I will use Goodmark parts only as a last resort. This comes from using LOTS of their replacement panels and for me, they are just not worth the time and effort to make them fit right, THEN try to make them straight enough for paint. I have also found that their parts are a much thinner gauge metal than other aftermarket suppliers.

I have used one or two Dynacorn parts in the past and find them to be a very good quality replacement part but depending on what you buy they can be pricey.

The best ones I have found so far in respect to quality and price are Key parts. Tri-Plus and Tri-Pro are also Key Parts, just under a different name for resale.

I recently installed the passenger outer rocker on Chris's truck with a new one from Key parts. First off, you notice that the gauge of the metal is equal to or thicker than factory. The stamings are nice, clean and straight with very minor surface flaws. So far, the fit of the parts that I have installed has been outstanding. The parts that I have used have simply slipped on WITHOUT having to cut, splice, bend, tweak or stretch just to get them to somewhat fit like others I have used.

The Tri-Plus 67 fenders that Chris purchased for this truck are the closest to PERFECT in fit and finish of any aftermarket supplier I have used to date. These are the first aftermarket fenders that I have seen that line up perfect, gaps are straight, body lines match perfect, body contours are matching up to factory doors perfect. The stamping is VERY clean, and straight no waviness or over stretched areas that I can see. These fenders will require near zero body work to prep for paint. The one thing that stands out is the curved area above the headlight is slightly rippled from the stamping process, but its really very easily fixed with minor hammer and dolly work.


Everyone else, Please add to this with what parts you have found to work the best for you and the ones that you can tell horror stories about too so members can read this and make a better desision on what to buy. I am hoping that this will help LCTC members not waste hard earned money on overpriced, lower quality parts in the future.

Good thread! Sorry i dont have anything to offer!

I don't have the experience that you do Keith, but I just installed a inner rocker,(and part of the floor pan), a cab corner, kick panel patch, and lower A pillar on a '72 chevy cab. All were Key parts if I'm not mistaken, and were excellent quality and fit except the lower A pillar. It was pretty cheap looking and thin. I used the old rocker because it was GM and had been replaced a few years ago. Now I've got to do the other side.

Oh yeah, I replaced the front cab support too, which was tri-plus. The fit wasn't great on the ends, but it wasn't hard to fix.

Thanks Wynne. Thats another list of parts that we can vouch for. Information like this can save members a ton of money both in the purchase of the parts and at the body shop later.


I also want to add another extremely high quality part. The Mar-K chevy stepside tailgate is another that I would recommend buying. Heavy gauge steel, same as a factory. The letter stamping is perfect and the sheetmetal is arrow straight, no ripples or waves. Very high quality.

Thanks a bunch for posting this. I have been wondering about which sheetmetal to look at when I get to that point. I'm a long ways from it, but this is some excellent information! What would you think about trying to get some input from guys like you that know all this good stuff and putting together a recommended vendor list?

Not a bad idea. We could tell about our experiences anyway. In general though, I think if you buy from a vendor that builds trucks,(or cars), then he most likely sells the better stuff because he knows the headaches caused by the bad stuff. I know that Kenny's Truck parts builds and sells parts, which is where I've been buying a lot of my parts lately. From my experience, avoid LMC for body parts.

See, that's what I'm talking about! Until I stumbled on this thread, I was planning on getting most of what I need from LMC.

I agree with Wynne, I wont buy from LMC. Their parts are high and the body parts customers have brought out for me to use were really cheap parts, comparable to Certifit parts.

I also avoid Year One, unless you win the lottery and just have money to burn! Way overpriced and the parts I have gotten from there were Goodmark.

The truck parts I bought for the 68 I was working on ( the ones you have Wynne) were bought from Mother Truckers. All the parts were Tri Plus. I bought both inner and outer rockers, both cab corners, and both front floor supports for $120.00 shipped. I have heard some others say they didnt like Mother Truckers service but I have bought from them several times and no complaints yet.

Tri Pro Automotive is on the 67-72 board and thier parts are Key Parts/Tri Plus. I have never bought anything from them so I cant give any info on customer service etc. .

Like Wynne already said, I have heard only good things about Kenny's Truck Parts.

LMC = Love My Catalog, I use it for
a Reference guide but that is it.

Plus Tim almost always is Cheaper.

Yeah Craig, the catalogs are a must have item when you are building one.

LUV2XCLR8 wrote:LMC = Love My Catalog, I use it for
a Reference guide but that is it.

Plus Tim almost always is Cheaper.

Yep, Tim Christian (Christian's Classics) is another good one to buy from. He's a lot like Kenny, just a good ol' boy, willing to help you out with good personal service.

Well i am glad to see this post!!!! I got a set of goodmark 67 front fenders with a deal i came accross and the fitment sux....the curves will not line up on the the grill what so ever.....So Keith i will be looking for two front fenders... I have bought stuff from GMC Paul's and have had pretty good luck and i am thinking of ordering the front fenders from him......I bought all my rubber kits from him and stuff like that. I like this idea on where to buy parts....I agree about LMC and year one...I like LMC, and Year Ones books...helps to see what i am looking for.....

I've had no luck with LMC body parts, rockers, cab corners etc. all sucked. The rest of the stuff I got from them was fine but a little over priced. The good thing is they have some things that are hard to find elsewhere and I agree the catalog is great. I have had good luck with Chevyduty (classic truck parts) all the patch panels were real good. I also bought a set of rockers from Tim Christian off the 67-72 board one time and they were great. I have GM rockers and cab corners on my blue truck and I can tell you the GM rockers fit like a glove. I have bought lots of parts from Kenny as well and will use him first. I prefer the little guys and would rather help them out.

I need to say there are a few parts you need to get from GM if you can. Most of the aftermarket rubber parts excluding weatherstripping, etc. stuff like grommets, bumpers etc. try and get GM parts if you can the one that sticks in my head are the aftermarket hood seals. They are crap, you can still get the good ones from GM for like 12 bucks. All the hood bumpers same thing, the aftermarket stuff don't fit. The aftermarket gas tank grommets dry rot real fast too. Another one is hood hinges, you can't beat the GM hinges, I have heard the aftermarket hinges can fold up on you.

Mike

Keith, I bought a used re-pop fender from Kennys' while Wynne and I were there. It's a Counterpart brand. I don't know yet how it will fit. But when I do I'll post on how it is. I've seen a lot of other counterpart products, like chrome bezels and other things but never any sheetmetal. Their other products are pretty decent. We'll see!