I posted this in another forum, too, but I keep reading threads here and on other forums where people say that a project isn't worth the effort, or a truck can't be built because the fenders aren't being made anymore, or there aren't enough donors around anymore. I have been building parts for my truck now for a little while. Really getting started on the metalshaping now, vs. forming before. I know that it does require tools and some knowhow, but there are guys out here who can do it. Maybe it's a matter of labor being too much to pay somebody else.

I don't know. I can say that I have helped a couple of people get started, or make patches for their vehicles. One friend did the major shaping and then I "tweaked" it. The other I just helped and let him use my tools. Together, we got it close enough for him. Then I welded the patches in. Call it sweat equity.

I would love to get the opportunity to build patch panels for fenders that had holes. Or other parts that can't be found in NOS or on donor vehicles. I have been working on dies to reproduce the grill bars for my '47. It seems there are a lot of other things that can not be found anymore that people are needing.

I guess it all comes down to feasibility. I just hate to hear that a project can't be done because you can't buy the parts already made. Sorry for the rant.

Dave

 

I have been working with early V8 Fords for a long while now, and I quickly learned that our 42-47 trucks are the red-headed stepchild of the early V8 set. But more and mroe parts are coming out for them. The grille bars have been available for a long time, more than 25 years, however, they have not always been of the greatest quality. The front fenders are still pretty easy to find. It's the rear fenders of these trucks, mainly the 1 tons that have been near impossible to find in decent shape. The 1/2 ton parts are out there in fiberglass, as are running boards. If you want to look into making a part, please look are repopping the rear fender braces, most all of these have broken away, and nobody makes them. We had a discussion here a few years ago about them and then lack of them. I have only one brace, out of all the trucks I have owned. Been looking for a shop to make them in a small quantity.

 

Gary,
PM sent... well, being sent.

Dave