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Hi, I'm new to the forum. My question is, who makes the best patch panels for a restoration job? I've been looking at LMC but just read that Dennis Carpenter may be better, please post pics.
LMC metal is thin, and stamped-out in China, and DC is made on actual Ford equipment. LMC will generally work (sort of), but DC is OEM. DC also is more expensive, if that's a concern...
My budgets not the highest, but if more money buys me better quality, I'll do it. I'll have to check out DC prices, I need a cab corner, a lower door skin, a lower front door post, and bedside upper fenders.
Welcome to FTE. The word on the web is LMC is X2 on cheap, thin and ill fitting. Dennis Carpenter well worth the extra cost. Also check out Tabco.
Have you even looked at your local JY? 73-79 patch panels will work, and a sacrificial front fender will give you the same fender lip patch pieces for the bed...
FYI the safest way to haul a bed is upside down IMO. Yes you can ratchet to tight and bend those lower bed side edges. Flip it and do an X across the front to rear of the bed to secure it, and NOT across the bed fenderwell to fenderwell area. No tailgate makes it lighter, a bed it about 450 lbs.
Thanks, I looked at Dennis Carpenter and the prices seem to be alright, I think I'll go with those. We thought about hauling it upside down but we had 4 guys and it was already upright, everything turned out ok. Cleanest bed I've found since I started looking, only real rust is the fenders. The underside is completely clean.
My budgets not the highest, but if more money buys me better quality, I'll do it. I'll have to check out DC prices, I need a cab corner, a lower door skin, a lower front door post, and bedside upper fenders.
I'm a very satisfied Dennis Carpenter customer, but for body panels there's another choice, Tabco https://tabcoparts.com/ Really good quality and very good prices.
Like everyone else says, avoid LMC. Another good source for body panels is NPD, National Parts Depot.
I used Tabco for my cab corners, fit and finish were really good.
Here are a couple of pictures of the Tabco cab corners.
Also, here's a link to my build thread where I start the cab corner replacements. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...l#post14405284
i just got a 73 f250 and i am new to the group. my truck has a bad rust spot that goes from the bottom of the cab on the passengers side to about half way up and it goes all the way though. any ideas how to replace it and stop it from getting any farther. also i need to seal it up before winter hits even if it just a temp fix anything will do.
i just got a 73 f250 and i am new to the group. my truck has a bad rust spot that goes from the bottom of the cab on the passengers side to about half way up and it goes all the way though. any ideas how to replace it and stop it from getting any farther. also i need to seal it up before winter hits even if it just a temp fix anything will do.
Hi luckbuck - welcome to FTE!
The best way to get an answer to your question is create your own "thread" in the main 73-79 forum. Make the title as informative as possible, and include pictures of the problem area(s). I GUARANTEE you will find some helpful answers here.
I'm a very satisfied Dennis Carpenter customer, but for body panels there's another choice, Tabco https://tabcoparts.com/ Really good quality and very good prices.
Like everyone else says, avoid LMC. Another good source for body panels is NPD, National Parts Depot.
I used Tabco for my cab corners, fit and finish were really good.
Here are a couple of pictures of the Tabco cab corners.
Also, here's a link to my build thread where I start the cab corner replacements. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...l#post14405284
I checked tabco prices today and they appear to be VERY reasonable, thanks for mentioning them, my mind is made up. I'm going with tabco.
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cab corner
- welcome to FTE! 
