Whoever is going to or is in the process of doing a project like this will benefit a great deal. I had no idea how far off reproduction sheet metal could be until I tried to fit new fenders. It was so bad I decided it was better to fix OEM fenders. Learning something every video. Thanks for sharing
I would think it is best to try and allow universal swaps with factory settings if possible in case the occasion arises in the future to change a fender or hood. You are truly an expert Rick. I’ll probably pick your brain in the spring when I try to line up my panels in the spring since I no longer have temperature to spray things. Hope you were not affected by the hurricane.
Another awesome video Rick! That would've stalled alot of us Diy people in the home garages who would have used that part in order to "save time" in the end its not worth it if you have to modify it to make it work
I agree, I have heard others say similar stuff about other panels, I am glad to pass the message along because I hate seeing people waste money and time when not needed.
As always well explained. I do believe your headache helps me even though I wouldn't attempt this. There's so many things to measure, to some it may be simple but this makes me think of different way to measure. Thanks.
They probably sold housands with no complaints so they are good with them. I'm with you though, this is free to watch, they should be watching these videos for better customer service at least.
That is a very valid point, if I was not building this car from start to finish on this channel, I would have fixed it, moved on and been another win for their part.
Who know maybe the older molds would be the start of new ones, I am excited for the future of the aftermarket sheet metal industry. I would think we can only go up from here
I guess it goes back to working behind someone else's mistakes. Bad enough when you make your own mistakes, but, at least you know the guy to blame. All this aftermarket sheet metal is good and bad. I'm making a 67 Nova sedan two door from a four door car. One rear cheater quarter panel has been on and off 21 times, the other 16 times. No one understands how much time it takes to get it right. lols Thanks for the video
YES 100% I couldn't agree more, every time I hear someone else worked on something and just need to fine tune it usually turns out like this. Also very cool about the conversion one day there are a few cars I would like to convert from 2-4 door. You are also so right even this video is guilty of not showing the amount of fine tuning, disassembly and reassembly of the front end of this car. I just can't keep everyone engaged that long amount of time watching the same stuff over and over again. Good luck on the Nova build.
What a PITA, honestly those ponycars were kind of junky from day 1, especially higher hp BB cars, the bean counters probably loved the unibody and lack of full frame $$$, I really like the improvements on the Nova, way nicer end product
Yes somedays you take two steps backward for one step forward. I agree not a lot of care was put into these cars when they left the assembly line. Hopefully now the car will be a lot better build and quality.
When i build these, I never buy those one piece Rail/Apron section for this exact reason. Every car is different especially if you installed an after market firewall and cowl,etc. I just finished an entire cuda with all new metal except for the couple inner roof pieces and inner quarters that aren't available yet. AMD fenders are garbage. I sent mine back. The bodylines on the quarters are off. All the edges of everything is off. Rocker panels are flattened and bowed right out of the stamps. Right side cowl, kick panel piece doesn't line up correctly with the lower firewall. Everything needs tweeking,cut,rewelded,etc. I could go on all day. Thousands of hours to make everything perfect for final paint
I couldn't agree more, 100% right every part and car is slightly different and the more you can build the better the quality will be in the long run. I have had some issues with AMD aftermarket Cuda fenders and actually used one to fix a factory fender before. They can be used but you are correct it takes a little bit of working. Also yes the time it takes to really dial one in with the metal is a lot of work that why most pack them full of filler.
There is really no way to return it. 1 it was bought years ago when the market was all in the parts shortage with all the Covid stuff. 2.By the time i could know how off it was the frame rails were already welded in. Once you touch these parts and accept the shipment without damage you keep it no matter what with these parts. Just part of the industry and the gamble you take when ordering stuff like this.
Whoever is going to or is in the process of doing a project like this will benefit a great deal. I had no idea how far off reproduction sheet metal could be until I tried to fit new fenders. It was so bad I decided it was better to fix OEM fenders. Learning something every video. Thanks for sharing
You're welcome, I will say I have used a whole fender to fix an original also in the past with it being really far off.
I would think it is best to try and allow universal swaps with factory settings if possible in case the occasion arises in the future to change a fender or hood. You are truly an expert Rick. I’ll probably pick your brain in the spring when I try to line up my panels in the spring since I no longer have temperature to spray things.
Hope you were not affected by the hurricane.
Excellent video ...... shows how important it is to install all your panels and check for alignment .
Thank you very much.
As always great tips... enjoying a lot of panel fitment content thanks Rick...🔧🔧👍
Great to hear I will keep trying to put more out, thanks for watching!
What an educational video Rick, this was very well done. Clearly challenging but in the end victorious. Thank you for sharing.
You are welcome, thank you very much for tuning in and following along.
GREAT WORK!!! You are my instruction manual for my cuda build lol
Thank you very much, thats awesome to hear.
Great video... thanks for sharing!
You're welcome! Thanks for watching.
Another awesome video Rick! That would've stalled alot of us Diy people in the home garages who would have used that part in order to "save time" in the end its not worth it if you have to modify it to make it work
I agree, I have heard others say similar stuff about other panels, I am glad to pass the message along because I hate seeing people waste money and time when not needed.
As always well explained. I do believe your headache helps me even though I wouldn't attempt this. There's so many things to measure, to some it may be simple but this makes me think of different way to measure. Thanks.
You are welcome, thank you very much for watching. Always great to hear you're able to take some stuff away from it.
The aftermarket panel companies should be paying you to help them improve their products.
They probably sold housands with no complaints so they are good with them. I'm with you though, this is free to watch, they should be watching these videos for better customer service at least.
GM just sold their old molds to Asia, I'm sure they were worn and probably didn't hold much value to them anymore
I would love to work with some of these big time companies through feedback or other ways of making things better for everyone.
That is a very valid point, if I was not building this car from start to finish on this channel, I would have fixed it, moved on and been another win for their part.
Who know maybe the older molds would be the start of new ones, I am excited for the future of the aftermarket sheet metal industry. I would think we can only go up from here
Looking good Rick!
Thank you very much!
I guess it goes back to working behind someone else's mistakes. Bad enough when you make your own mistakes, but, at least you know the guy to blame. All this aftermarket sheet metal is good and bad. I'm making a 67 Nova sedan two door from a four door car. One rear cheater quarter panel has been on and off 21 times, the other 16 times. No one understands how much time it takes to get it right. lols Thanks for the video
YES 100% I couldn't agree more, every time I hear someone else worked on something and just need to fine tune it usually turns out like this. Also very cool about the conversion one day there are a few cars I would like to convert from 2-4 door. You are also so right even this video is guilty of not showing the amount of fine tuning, disassembly and reassembly of the front end of this car. I just can't keep everyone engaged that long amount of time watching the same stuff over and over again. Good luck on the Nova build.
Great work
Thank you!
What a PITA, honestly those ponycars were kind of junky from day 1, especially higher hp BB cars, the bean counters probably loved the unibody and lack of full frame $$$, I really like the improvements on the Nova, way nicer end product
Yes somedays you take two steps backward for one step forward. I agree not a lot of care was put into these cars when they left the assembly line. Hopefully now the car will be a lot better build and quality.
When i build these, I never buy those one piece Rail/Apron section for this exact reason. Every car is different especially if you installed an after market firewall and cowl,etc. I just finished an entire cuda with all new metal except for the couple inner roof pieces and inner quarters that aren't available yet. AMD fenders are garbage. I sent mine back. The bodylines on the quarters are off. All the edges of everything is off. Rocker panels are flattened and bowed right out of the stamps. Right side cowl, kick panel piece doesn't line up correctly with the lower firewall. Everything needs tweeking,cut,rewelded,etc. I could go on all day. Thousands of hours to make everything perfect for final paint
I couldn't agree more, 100% right every part and car is slightly different and the more you can build the better the quality will be in the long run. I have had some issues with AMD aftermarket Cuda fenders and actually used one to fix a factory fender before. They can be used but you are correct it takes a little bit of working. Also yes the time it takes to really dial one in with the metal is a lot of work that why most pack them full of filler.
Work smarter not harder.
That is what the goal is.
wtf?? thats like an inch off? how on earth can they sell that? I would have returned it
There is really no way to return it. 1 it was bought years ago when the market was all in the parts shortage with all the Covid stuff. 2.By the time i could know how off it was the frame rails were already welded in. Once you touch these parts and accept the shipment without damage you keep it no matter what with these parts. Just part of the industry and the gamble you take when ordering stuff like this.
If the sheet metal rarely fits how the heck can anyone trust the other structural sheet metal.
That is a valid point. I have had some structural stuff work on on this car and obviously some not so much.