Best body patch panels

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Feb 26, 2018 | 06:48 PM

Dave042

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 221

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From: Northeast Ohio

Best body patch panels

Which company makes the best body patch panels? I want some really good quality ones as close to OEM as possible. I've heard good things about Raybuck and Tabco. Is LMC good? I'm needing the lower rear bedside and wheel well piece too as well as the cab mount piece that is under the floor.

Feb 27, 2018 | 07:22 AM

FarmallM4

Junior User

Joined: Mar 2016

Posts: 78

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From: Perrysville ,IN

I haven't compared price I know LMC is pretty good quality but is usually pretty pricey

Feb 27, 2018 | 08:03 AM

tjc transport

i ain't rite

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 65,569

Likes: 5,606

From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.

i do not use patch panels. they are nothing more than bandaids

Feb 27, 2018 | 08:07 AM

cadunkle

Cargo Master

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 2,298

Likes: 27

From: NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjc transport

i do not use patch panels. they are nothing more than bandaids

What is your source for new cabs and beds? Do you fab them yourself from scratch? Work on any cars? Dynacorn makes a couple years and models but new body availability is very limited.

Feb 27, 2018 | 08:24 AM

tjc transport

i ain't rite

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 65,569

Likes: 5,606

From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.

for the older trucks we now have to go south and southwest for cabs and beds.

Feb 28, 2018 | 10:31 PM

hairyboxnoogle

Lead Driver

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 6,945

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tjc transport

i do not use patch panels. they are nothing more than bandaids

I fully disagree with this. Cutting out and replacing the bad section of panel is the correct way of fixing it, assuming the surrounding area is good. New cabs and beds might be easy to come by, but you dont just go buy bodies for 69 Fairlanes. My car is probably in the top 90% for being rust free, still has PAINT on the undercarriage, but has the typical cancer behind the wheels. Should i just throw it away because i cant replace the body? Unless youre thinking of something like patching over a panel, or just bondoing or fiberglassing something, which is half assed. Ive done body work professionally, and patch panels are the professional way to restore compromised sections of panel. I rebuilt the lower 1/3 of a 54 Chevy, BY HAND, including the tail light bucket. All we had pre formed was the wheel well lip, and the rocker panel. It has won awards, and brought over $30,000, i will find pictures. To say the least, it was not "bandaided".

Mar 1, 2018 | 07:12 AM

tjc transport

i ain't rite

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 65,569

Likes: 5,606

From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.

the problem with the 87 and newer trucks is the patch panels are only big enough to just barely replace the bad. so you are welding new metal to already compromised metal. and the welded area tend to rust/rot out within 5-6 years.