Best body panels
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Senior User
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Best body panels
Ok guys i'm sure there are a lot of opinions on body panels. What i'm looking for is all of those opinions.
I'm talking aftermarket panels. Looking for stuff like best fit, thickness and over all quality. What kind of experiences do you guys have?
I'm talking aftermarket panels. Looking for stuff like best fit, thickness and over all quality. What kind of experiences do you guys have?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
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Man you opened a can of worms on this one. lol
You're absolutely right that there are tons of opinions, and I'd suggest going with a name brand company, at least that way there's a better way of knowing exactly what you're getting. The Paddock (questionable at times depending) and Year One carry parts for all kinds of stuff, then you have the companies that specialize in certain vehicles and tend to try to get the best bang for the buck. You'll also get into aftermarket vs, OEM vs, aftermarket from original tooling. They all vary in price so at that point it's really up to you as far as which one you'd rather go with.
You're absolutely right that there are tons of opinions, and I'd suggest going with a name brand company, at least that way there's a better way of knowing exactly what you're getting. The Paddock (questionable at times depending) and Year One carry parts for all kinds of stuff, then you have the companies that specialize in certain vehicles and tend to try to get the best bang for the buck. You'll also get into aftermarket vs, OEM vs, aftermarket from original tooling. They all vary in price so at that point it's really up to you as far as which one you'd rather go with.
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I will say this much. In reference to musclecars and such, the quality of aftermarket bodypanels has gone up and just for the simple fact they're going through a fast growing phase of popularity and value as of late. It's because of that growth that people and restoration shops demand quality replacement parts and won't settle with the lousy fit and thin pieces that some parts companies put out even as short as 10 years ago.
Overall, I'd have to say that it has gotten better and the prices really aren't so bad once you shop around a bit. You also have to remember that most likely the bigger parts suppliers will carry a part made by the same company. Goodmark has been making pretty decent parts for a while now, but chances are you'll still have to tweak them a bit after getting them.
Overall, I'd have to say that it has gotten better and the prices really aren't so bad once you shop around a bit. You also have to remember that most likely the bigger parts suppliers will carry a part made by the same company. Goodmark has been making pretty decent parts for a while now, but chances are you'll still have to tweak them a bit after getting them.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oklahoma City
If you are looking for quality, the biggest question to ask the vendor is - "Is the part made in the USA?" Import parts ARE NOT going to be as good of quality as parts made here. With some aftermarket parts, imports are all you can get. But if you have a choice, ASK for USA made. You may pay a little more (or you may not), but the quality will be worth it.
We do not have any parts for your Ranger, but MAR-K makes its parts here in Oklahoma City, USA.
We do not have any parts for your Ranger, but MAR-K makes its parts here in Oklahoma City, USA.
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So to me the fit is really the most important thing, Dennis Carpenter is very good about this, the parts are fit tested, made in the USA and close to the thickness of the original metal. I have some LMC panels that I'm sending back, the price was good but the fit is not and they are pretty thin.
I know some guys like Tabco and similar manufacturers... What are some of the brands you guys have tried and what did you like, what didn't you like and what would you get if you had to do it again?
Just wondering.
I know some guys like Tabco and similar manufacturers... What are some of the brands you guys have tried and what did you like, what didn't you like and what would you get if you had to do it again?
Just wondering.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: in country near Boone, IA
Duke78
I went with Tabco for my cab corners, door post pieces. I used these after I had ordered the same pieces thru BOTP which were the made in Taiwan crap, thin and didn't fit worth a da--. I also went to my local auto parts store that sells a lot of body work supplies and they ended up being the same darn parts - even had the same company name from Taiwan on them. I agree TABCO is USA made and price was not anymore but I feel like I got a much better panel to use WITHOUT having to massage it into place to fit right. Wish I would have found TABCO sooner because my floor pans are the made in Taiwan crap and they are such a pain to do, i left them in.
I went with Tabco for my cab corners, door post pieces. I used these after I had ordered the same pieces thru BOTP which were the made in Taiwan crap, thin and didn't fit worth a da--. I also went to my local auto parts store that sells a lot of body work supplies and they ended up being the same darn parts - even had the same company name from Taiwan on them. I agree TABCO is USA made and price was not anymore but I feel like I got a much better panel to use WITHOUT having to massage it into place to fit right. Wish I would have found TABCO sooner because my floor pans are the made in Taiwan crap and they are such a pain to do, i left them in.
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