How much difference in fenders?
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 557
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How much difference in fenders?
I need a set of front fenders and NOS fenders are way out of my price range but found a set of aftermarket made in Tiawan. I know nobody likes them but they are cheap and look good so really what is the difference? Please be honest. Tell me about the fit as well.
Thanks
Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 630
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From: Hedgesville WV
I got a driver side front fender, both doors, a tailgate and bedsides from Taiwan and I've been impressed. As for the fender the body lines lined up and it fit really well to the grill. The only problem were the the bolt holes to the inner fender didnt quite overlap so i had to make them a little bigger. I've always heard these parts dent easily due to a thinner gauge steel but I've had the fender and doors on for three years and the bedsides and taigate for eight with just two dings that were caused by own carelessness on the trail. Maybe I've been lucky but I wouldn't be afraid to buy more of these parts.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 3
From: Halifx Pa
I spoke with a few body guys who tell me, they have worked with Taiwan fenders and the money you saved on the fenders, you spent on body work trying to make it fit. But those same guys will also say they ran into the same thing with the more expensive fenders.
The last body guy told me to try and get the best used fenders if I can because they been made fit before and it won't be as much of a fight to get them to fit again. But his bottom line was, it your truck, it's your money, call the shots, and pay where you feel is your best bet.
Then just to muddy the waters a little more another guy told me the same, and said the US made fender in one particular run fit very nice and the next run you would swear they were stampted for a different vehicle, it was that bad.
I guess its a case of how lucky do you feel today??
The last body guy told me to try and get the best used fenders if I can because they been made fit before and it won't be as much of a fight to get them to fit again. But his bottom line was, it your truck, it's your money, call the shots, and pay where you feel is your best bet.
Then just to muddy the waters a little more another guy told me the same, and said the US made fender in one particular run fit very nice and the next run you would swear they were stampted for a different vehicle, it was that bad.
I guess its a case of how lucky do you feel today??
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Northern Indiana
Well, I prefer American made but thats my personal feelings as an American business owner. Honestly, the foreign parts do fit a lot better than they did 20 years ago. We use a lot of the foreign sheet metal on collision jobs and dont have many issues with fit, it does come in damaged from shipment fairly often. It seems they are a little thinner than OEM, but a ding is just as costly to fix as a dent most of the time anyways. Buy American when you can, but you really don't have a lot of choice sometimes and can make it look just as good.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,219
Likes: 190
From: Colorado Springs
the taiwan doors are ok on the outside, but the inside is wavy everywhere with mystery holes that aren't on the original doors. with doors, buy the skin and use the old door frame if possible.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: Fort Bragg
i bought a passenger side fender late last year from a local body shop. I was really impressed with the fit. All the bolt holes was lined up perfect..
Now a little off the subject.. 78_f800crewcab4x4.. that truck is very cool.. How long did it take you build it?
Now a little off the subject.. 78_f800crewcab4x4.. that truck is very cool.. How long did it take you build it?
