Some of you have been following my misadventure with Clarence, the damage to it, and the repair saga. It's time to start ordering parts. Dennis Carpenter, Midwest Early Ford, Auto Metal Direct seem to have most of what I need. There are numerous other vendors who have some of the parts, but I'm not interested in ordering two parts from vendor A, five parts from vendor B, one part from vendor C, etc. I've ordered and received many parts from Carpenter over the course of many years. The others I've heard of but know nothing about. Carpenter and Auto metal Direct prices are fairly close. Midwest Early Ford is somewhat less expensive. Based on actual experience or observations how do you folks rate the quality of the parts from these three vendors? Specifically, I'm talking about sheet metal parts; fenders, etc. I don't want to save $500 on parts and spend $1,000 in labor to make them fit. I've heard horror stories for years about replacement sheet metal that doesn't actually fit. So please relate your own personal history with these three vendors as to quality and fit. Thanks in advance for reading, contemplating, and posting your thoughts.
Most of the things I need I'll be getting from original trucks. The fenders, though will be new. I've been around F-1 trucks for over 50 years and can't say that I've ever seen a set of fenders that were worth fixing. They are just all rusted/rotted into oblivion. So for clarification, I'm really talking fenders only.
I think there’s only one manufacturer but multiple retailers of most sheet metal parts. I think Dennis Carpenter himself p***ed away, but the business is still in the family. I have bought things from him when he had a spot at Iola. Two years age he said that would be his last year, now I hear he p***ed. Nobody at IOLA in July. nice catalog, but supposedly the website is a mess. Mostly imported from Taiwan or China. AMD is mostly muscle car era stuff. One of the better, but still spotty quality. They’re the go to Mopar outlet. I’m going with them for Mopar quarters. Frankly, if Midwest has a decent website, and the prices are reasonable, including shipping, I would give them a try. They’ve been around a long time, but I haven’t used them, so what do I know.
I have bought a lot of stuff from Midwest Early Ford and I mean a lot over the years. they will deliver to events for pick up and I have picked stuff up at the store to avoid shipping. pretty good to buy from . they don't go to as many events as they used to and Brian who owned them for years has retired his son is running things now he does not seem as easy to work with. hate dealing with Carpenter they have had parts marked wrong in there catalogs for years when you tell them they act like your the first to ever tell them .I would think the parts you are looking for are all made by the same company .as Carpenter and Drake have quit making parts Midwest seams to be making more stuff pretty sure they make a lot of the beds they sell. I have looked at the fenders and hoods for F1s thought about buying a set of fenders just in case
I have heard horror stories about the suppliers actually shipping the parts,they all take your money then it takes forever for them to ship?.Someone has said to use Ebay as they have to ship it out quick or they could be banned from the site? I have no experience in this,but it might be xomething to watch for.
I recommend Midwest Early Ford Parts. I've always had a positive experience and they sell all brands for less than the other vendors. I usually wait until the fall Moultrie swap meet to buy the large stuff because they are always there and will deliver it to the meet free, it saves a lot in shipping costs. If you can afford the time and they will be at an event near you it would save you some money.
Have you considered LMC? Just looked at their website and they have what you need in stock. I choked at the price of a fender but if you want new, it's there.
I bought a pair of front fenders for my 54 F100 from Midwest. Because they were the least expensive by quite a bit. I believe they are seconds, so that’s why they are cheap. I expected to have to fiddle with holes to get them to bolt up. But the area where the front pan attaches isn’t anywhere close to being right. I’m at a loss as to what to do to correct it. I guess I have to cut and reshape them. I don’t know if I would have had the same issue with the more expensive fenders from NPD.
That's right, LMC is right across the state at Kansas City and I have had good results from them for my 71.
Midwest Early Ford should be at the KYANA swap meet in Louisville, KY March 21-22 would save you save you the shipping costs I have bought a lot from them and picked parts up at the swap meet later kb
I've had good luck with Carpenter for my '54 Ranch Wagon but usually for smaller items. My experience is that many of the vendors are selling the same part so it does pay to shop around. Shipping costs are another factor and Carpenter seems to be the most reasonable. JMO.
I have used all but AMD. I have had good results with all. There have been problems but always resolved to the proper solution. I have used LMC a fair amount. Same story. Decades ago while running a fuel dragster, I learned that most parts need some mods to work. I haven't seen that change in my lifetime. That's one of the reason's I have a shop full of equipment. Reasonable expectations will help to a satisfactory outcome.
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