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Ok, I'll try to explain this. Only folks on FTE may know the answers. I know others on the forum have replaced the rear cab corners on supercabs, but I can't find where they addressed this issue.
The panel makes a sharp 90 into the cab just above the flange that is spot welded to the cab.
It does this to accommodate this trim piece that is round like the rocker panel below the door.
I purchased replacement panels from Tabco since they are typically high quality. But, as you can see they just taper into the flange and do not match the originals.
So, Is there a better source? Do I just suck it up because there's no such thing? I do not have the tooling/skill to modify what I have to match.
On my phone so little hard to see just what is going on.
I alway take the patch panel and place it over the area it should repair and mark the outer edges so I know not to cut outside of it.
when it comes to inside lips and such that art seen panels can be a little short and you just make the best of it.
I did them on my 81 regular cab and fit was great.
Dave - - - -
Does the whole cab corner need replacing or can you just use the new panel for a patch where it's got damage? That doesn't look bad enough to me in those pics to be cutting it all out.
Does the whole cab corner need replacing or can you just use the new panel for a patch where it's got damage? That doesn't look bad enough to me in those pics to be cutting it all out.
The whole length does not need replaced. I just took the picture from the door to try and show the profile. It does need replacing near the corner all the way to the bottom flange. I'm just not sure how to blend the two profiles. Below is my kindergarten attempt to sketch out the difference. Left is original with trim piece. Right is replacement.
The whole length does not need replaced. I just took the picture from the door to try and show the profile. It does need replacing near the corner all the way to the bottom flange. I'm just not sure how to blend the two profiles. Below is my kindergarten attempt to sketch out the difference. Left is original with trim piece. Right is replacement.
If you have a bench vice, you could attempt to bend the replacement part so it matches the sharpness original a little more. And make up some kind of dolly that has a similar curve to the rounded part and hammer the piece until it kind of sort of matches.
You will almost always have to tweak to help get desired contour with any body panel replacement, I always cut out the rust and see whats left and only use enough of the replacement panel to make the repairs or form an make contours an even weld in angles to make what you want fit ., if your not doing a complete quarter panel replacement of some sort which still may not match original lines you will have to fabricate sometimes. Its all after market so unless you find donor truck for panels nothing will be as factory in general .
Looking at your drawing I would either cut the lower flat edge off and weld in a better angle piece of material or if replacement panel is long enough then bend it out at lower end and bend an angle as needed, , I dont know for sure if you can find an exact match since yours has trim in lower area but somebody else may be able to direct to better source,,
