M37 FENDER REPAIR KIT

[churtle]

Has anyone on here repaired their M37 fenders with the headlight area repair kit from VPW??? And if you have, do you have some sort of instructions on how to....this is the last thing before I can say its finished......
thx [/b]

[MSeriesRebuild]

Has anyone on here repaired their M37 fenders with the headlight area repair kit from VPW??? And if you have, do you have some sort of instructions on how to....this is the last thing before I can say its finished......
thx [/b]

We have repaired many, but not with panels from VPW, I have not seen the kit you mentioned from VPW, so I don't have an opinion to share on their product. We have used panels from Jeep Panels Plus. In general the stuff he, (Jeep Panels) offers is not really what I would call good quality workmanship, however their front fender repair panels have worked out fine. His replacement tailgates and other items which have to be detailed right in order look correct, well they leave a LOT to be desired. They would however be fine for someone who is not concerned with appearance correctness, but seek only a functional tailgate. On some of the higher end builds we offer, they would be totally unacceptable. I would hope VPW is offering some better quality workmanship in their reproduction items, I have not had opportunity to inspect any of their items. I have been impressed with the reproduction stuff I've seen from John at Midwest Military, great in both appearance and functionality.

As far as "how too", I would really need to see the panels you plan to use before making an informed judgement call. Generally speaking though, simply cut out the damaged area allowing plenty of margin back into good metal using a cutting disc or plasma cutter. Using the cut-out piece as a template, mark and drill all holes in the new patch panel for fender mounting, lights brackets, etc. Cut the patch panel to fit the cut out allowing about a .020" gap all around. The gap allows for a good weld all the way through. Hold the new panel in place using holding jigs designed for this purpose, they are available from Eastwood and other suppliers of body working tools. First tack the panel into place using a Mig welder, then skip weld all around allowing plenty of cooling time so as not to cause metal warpage from over-heating. Tig welding is the best process to use for a professional looking job, much easier to control warpage with the Tig process. We fabricate end enclosures on ours to cover the gaps that are left open on the ends of the reinforcement panel where the front of the fender bolts to the bracket that is on the radiator frame. These ends were left open originally on all M37's allowing water, mud, road salt, and other debris to get between the fender panel and the reinforcement piece. This is the cause of the rust issue initially that is present on many trucks, it starts between the panels where it can't be painted and rust from the inside out. By closing the ends, you will eliminate this problem from happening again. Once welding is completed, dress up the welds using a flap disc on a side grinder. Clean up will be only minor if properly welded using the Tig process. After cooling completely, finish the task with a skim application of body filler, sand and fill any tiny pin holes in the filler with a polyester putty, such as NAPA M/S Tec-Flow. After a final sanding, you are ready for several coats of primer, then sand and paint.

[cuz]

We have repaired many, but not with panels from VPW. We have used panels from Jeep Panels Plus. In general the stuff he offers is not really what I would call good quality workmanship, however the front fender repair panels have worked out fine. His replacement tailgates and other items which have to be right in order look correct, well they leave a LOT to be desired. They would be fine for someone who is not concerned with correctness, but seek only a functional tailgate. On some of the higher end builds we offer, they would be totally unacceptable. I would hope VPW is offering some better quality workmanship in their reproduction items, I have not had opportunity to inspect any of their items.

Could you clarify which comments above apply to Jeep Panels Plus and which apply to VPW?

[m-37Bruce]

Jeep Panels Plus (207) 743-7671 South Paris, ME

Last I knew, they were still in business, but don't understand the interweb very well, so their website got 'lost'.
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[Lifer]

Could you clarify which comments above apply to Jeep Panels Plus and which apply to VPW?

I have never purchased repair panels from either company, but judging from what I've read on the forum over the years, it would seem that JeePanels Plus offers the better product. As always, of course, it's your truck and the choice is yours. Either one is liable to last longer than either of us (well, me anyway). Then you can drive your "finished" truck.

[monkeymissile]

[quote=We fabricate end enclosures on ours to cover the gaps that are left open on the ends of the reinforcement panel where the front of the fender bolts to the bracket that is on the radiator frame.[/quote]

Hi Charles,
I am trying to visualize these end enclosures you mentioned. Any chance you have an image? Thanks!

[MSeriesRebuild]

We have repaired many, but not with panels from VPW. We have used panels from Jeep Panels Plus. In general the stuff he offers is not really what I would call good quality workmanship, however the front fender repair panels have worked out fine. His replacement tailgates and other items which have to be right in order look correct, well they leave a LOT to be desired. They would be fine for someone who is not concerned with correctness, but seek only a functional tailgate. On some of the higher end builds we offer, they would be totally unacceptable. I would hope VPW is offering some better quality workmanship in their reproduction items, I have not had opportunity to inspect any of their items.

Could you clarify which comments above apply to Jeep Panels Plus and which apply to VPW?

Read my original post again, I have gone back and clarified these points.

Not trying to low rate anyone's product, I did speak with Shelton at Jeep Panels concerning these issues, offered him the opportunity to make corrections. He sent out a replacement for the initial item that we could not use. The 2nd item without question looked just like the first one, he showed no more interest in trying to produce a better product. I'm just quoting the facts.

[MSeriesRebuild]

Hi Charles,
I am trying to visualize these end enclosures you mentioned. Any chance you have an image? Thanks!

As far as I know, I have no specific photos of this, there are some photos on the website showing fender panel repairs, as on the Timken Bearing M37, I'm unsure as to whether the end pieces we fabricated are detailed in them.

To take a shot at answering your question, take a look on the under side of a fender. There are 3 bolts holding the fender onto the front bracket. The reinforcement panel is welded under the fender and sits directly on the front bracket, with the 3 bolts passing through the whole assembly. Each patch panel assembly consist of the main panel that welds into the fender and a reinforcement panel that welds to the under side of the main patch panel. After the reinforcement is welded in place, the ends are left wide open, unless you fabricate and weld in end pieces to cover that area that is exposed. We try to go the extra mile in turning out the best product with top quality in mind. Our saying is this, "if better is possible, good is just not enough." With that being said, if we were in the business of producing patch panels, I would include these end pieces along with the other 2 main pieces for a complete repair once and for all. As far as I know, no one offers the assembly that way, I've often wondered why?

[monkeymissile]

Thanks Charles,
without being in front of my truck, I think I know what you mean and will certainly add those end caps when the time comes for me to do this repair. I think some seam sealer would also help under there. Appreciate you taking the time to explain.

Justin

[Nickathome]

I heard that Sheldon of Jeep Panels Plus has passed away. I heard this from somebody at last year's Aberdeen show. Don't know if this is true or not.

Not to speak ill of the dead, I bought a tailgate from Sheldon some years ago. My truck was missing the tailgate so I just wanted a replacement. Wasn't concerned with 100% accuracy, however I did expect better quality than what I got. Crappy welds, cuts in the metal from a cutoff disc that looked like a one armed blind man had done them. The hinge pipe at the bottom of the tailgate is warped and rubs the center of the bed floor when I open the gate. This pipe also looks to be nothing more than electrical conduit fitted over some other pipe. Pretty half assed. Took a good bit of tweaking before I could get it to open and close without binding up. Now that its on and painted, it looks OK, but if I had it all to do over again, after now having seen the quality of workmanship firsthand, I'd have bought the tailgate from someone else.

Yes, Jeep Panels Plus does make some parts that may be hard to get, and that may be a good thing, however from a quality standpoint, at least judging by that which my tailgate had, I was very disappointed, and as such, will not buy from them again.

[cuz]

Charles,

In general the stuff he, (Jeep Panels) offers

Thanks. That was the clarification I was looking for.

I just wanted to be sure.

[Lifer]

Oh, balls! My memory seems to be failing me more and more every day! It would appear that I may have misspoken in my previous post. Thanks to Charles and Nick for the use of their tractor.*

Sorry if I misled you, Cuz. It wasn't intentional.


*(for pulling my head out of my @ss)

[cuz]

The tractor method is hard on the body and soul. While I was in the AF we offered the needy guys a plexi-otomy. The surgeons would insert a plexi-glass sheet in one's lower tummy so when they had their head up their arses they could still see where they were going.

[Lifer]

I'll have to remember that one !!

[sturmtyger380]

Sheldon and Steven are both still there. I talked to them last week.

I have never ordered Dodge metal from them but I used floors from them on my M38A1 and was pleased.

Alan