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After a delay in finding panels that were not stamped with unmaintained dies I finally got my first patch panel installed. Many thanks to the encouragement from those of you here on FTE that have shared your expertise. My mig welding skills are still not up to the quality that I would like but the panel is in there solidly and with minimal warpage. It should refinish nicely.
Now on to the right side which is a bit trickier because of the hole for the blower plenum (yes, those of us with '49 & '50s have that special, abnormal design treat from Henry).
Looks great! Where did you buy the patch panels? I need to go through the same exercise in my 51 "Panel".
I got mine from Northern Classic Truck in Sterling Heights, Michigan - 4852FCC-L @ $50. NPD buys the same part from them and charges $95. They are located over near a bunch of OE assembly plants so I guess they know how to maintain stamping dies.
Dennis Carpenter was nice enough to take mine back even though I had cut one. I guess they are checking their stock.
I bought my bed and tailgate from Northern Classics. I occasionally work in Troy Michigan, so on one of my trips I drove over to Sterling Heights....near General Dynamics, Ford, and the GM tech center (I think).
They are really nice people and from what I saw, they are making quality parts. They also know how to package their parts so that they'll make the trip without damage.
Northern Classic gets my vote also. I replaced the front cab corners in my 49 with their parts. They are a complex stamping and they fit well. I was really pleased.
I bought my bed and tailgate from Northern Classics. I occasionally work in Troy Michigan, so on one of my trips I drove over to Sterling Heights....near General Dynamics, Ford, and the GM tech center (I think).
They are really nice people and from what I saw, they are making quality parts. They also know how to package their parts so that they'll make the trip without damage.
Dan
Also they are near the Chrysler Tech Center/HQ & 2 major manufacturing plants (Jefferson North makes Jeep Grand Cherokees and Sterling Heights makes Chrysler 200s). Cadillacs are made in Hamtramck. Just across the river Windsor Assembly makes Chrysler minivans, Ford's Wayne Truck is just across town and Flat Rock just down river makes Ford Fusions. Toledo, Lansing and Flint also have major assembly plants. All within an hours drive of Sterling Heights.
There are a myriad of tool and die makers that support these facilities which I guess is probably why NCT knows how to maintain stamping equipment.