Noob with a question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

J.Dirte · 02-21-2005, 10:45 PM

Hello, I just wanted to introduce my self to the forum. I have been lurking about, reading old posts, etc for a few weeks now. I am currently a car guy, about to cross over to the truck world. My current project is a Mazda RX-7 with a Chevy 383/TH350. Its a fun car, but now I want a tow rig, and I can't think of anything better than a vintage truck to tow it to the track.

I do not yet have a truck of my own, but I am fortunate to have a friend with a couple of these trucks (in several hundred pieces) who is more than willing to sell me a starter kit.

Now, on to my question:
I have noticed that significant differences in the prices of some of the sheet metal components (bed panels, fenders, etc.) between some of the mail order parts houses. Is it safe to buy from the cheapest place, or are there differences in quality along with these prices? Can I expect replacement panels from any source to match up with the original body lines (barring any shoddy welding by yours truly)?

Thanks in advance for the help. By the way, this is a great forum... You can't find a knowledge base like this in a bookstore.

longnlow72 · 02-21-2005, 10:49 PM

there are few different people who make patch panels etc, triplus is suposed to be the best but dont expect a repro piece to go right up i have heard of people spemding more time making peices fit than installing them lol, what kinda truck you lookin at?

J.Dirte · 02-21-2005, 11:05 PM

What am I looking for?...
At this point, I'm not really picky about what I end up with. Like many, I would prefer a 2WD short box, but I would be plenty happy with a long box as well. I'd prefer a 67 because of the front end and the small back window. As for the engine, I kind of want to take a different route to keep with the "tow rig" theme. Ideally I would like to have a Cummins B with a NV4500, and a full floating axle. However, at this point I would be happy with anything. Hoping to have a truck carcass in my garage by next fall.

68C15 · 02-21-2005, 11:16 PM

so what part of MN are you from?

krue · 02-21-2005, 11:24 PM

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi!

J.Dirte · 02-22-2005, 12:19 AM

Thanks for the welcome. I am about 20 miles south of Minneapolis in Lakeville, MN.

dwaite72lnghrn · 02-22-2005, 06:36 AM

Welcome from Pa.
Sounds like a nice project.

booth · 02-25-2005, 02:28 PM

Hey Dirt,
Welcome from... just to the north of you.
Later,
Paul

02-21-2005, 10:45 PM	#1
J.Dirte Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6	Noob with a question Hello, I just wanted to introduce my self to the forum. I have been lurking about, reading old posts, etc for a few weeks now. I am currently a car guy, about to cross over to the truck world. My current project is a Mazda RX-7 with a Chevy 383/TH350. Its a fun car, but now I want a tow rig, and I can't think of anything better than a vintage truck to tow it to the track. I do not yet have a truck of my own, but I am fortunate to have a friend with a couple of these trucks (in several hundred pieces) who is more than willing to sell me a starter kit. Now, on to my question: I have noticed that significant differences in the prices of some of the sheet metal components (bed panels, fenders, etc.) between some of the mail order parts houses. Is it safe to buy from the cheapest place, or are there differences in quality along with these prices? Can I expect replacement panels from any source to match up with the original body lines (barring any shoddy welding by yours truly)? Thanks in advance for the help. By the way, this is a great forum... You can't find a knowledge base like this in a bookstore.

02-21-2005, 10:49 PM	#2
longnlow72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: SW Washington Posts: 947	there are few different people who make patch panels etc, triplus is suposed to be the best but dont expect a repro piece to go right up i have heard of people spemding more time making peices fit than installing them lol, what kinda truck you lookin at? __________________ 72 Chevy lwb, cowl hood, shaved antenna, shaved bedrails, blazer tank, sidemarker fill, 1pc windows, flowmaster 40's, alpine deck, infinity 6x9's, infinity 4"ers, 2 jl audio 10w0's, grant wheel, keyless entry and alarm, more waiting to be done...

02-21-2005, 11:16 PM	#4
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	so what part of MN are you from? __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

02-21-2005, 11:24 PM	#5
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

02-22-2005, 06:36 AM	#7
dwaite72lnghrn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: central pa Posts: 1,525	Welcome from Pa. Sounds like a nice project. __________________ 72 longhorn c30 502BB/th400/fact air/4.11rear/ custom camper 72 bug(the better half's) under reconstruction 2009 HHR aqua blue 71 GMC k20 350/sm465 2009 Chevy hd3500 6.6 Victory Red crew cab dually Dave & Jeanne

02-21-2005, 11:05 PM	#3
J.Dirte Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6	What am I looking for?... At this point, I'm not really picky about what I end up with. Like many, I would prefer a 2WD short box, but I would be plenty happy with a long box as well. I'd prefer a 67 because of the front end and the small back window. As for the engine, I kind of want to take a different route to keep with the "tow rig" theme. Ideally I would like to have a Cummins B with a NV4500, and a full floating axle. However, at this point I would be happy with anything. Hoping to have a truck carcass in my garage by next fall.

02-22-2005, 12:19 AM	#6
J.Dirte Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6	Thanks for the welcome. I am about 20 miles south of Minneapolis in Lakeville, MN.

02-25-2005, 02:28 PM	#8
booth Active Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lonsdale, MN Posts: 109	Hey Dirt, Welcome from... just to the north of you. Later, Paul __________________ '67 Chevy LWB (Running) '67 Chevy LWB (Not Running) '70 Chevy LWB (In Pieces) '72 Chevy LWB (In Pieces)



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