Powerman5K Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 I am starting the repair of the heavy rust over the bed wheel arches. I have opted to use replacement panels and just cut out the infected area. I ordered one side from LMC but the other side is backordered. I have found them at a place called Raybuck but have no experience with them. Does anyone know anything about their body panels? Are they any good? Why are their panels nearly double the price of LMC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 Jim put me onto Tabco years ago and my paint/body man said they are the best he's used. They make them here in the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerman5K Posted April 17, 2023 Author Share Posted April 17, 2023 Jim put me onto Tabco years ago and my paint/body man said they are the best he's used. They make them here in the US. I received my Right Side Upper Wheel Arch Panel over the weekend from LMC. I have to say that I'm not pleased with it at first glance. The body lines don't seem to match up well and couple that with it arriving with 2 bent corners in shipping and I'm less than satisfied. Not sure why they wouldn't put foam caps on the corners for shipping? Seems logical to me. LMC doesn't accept returns for bent corners as they say it is to be expected in shipping. I plan to buy from Tabco (As Gary recommends) for the Left Side. If it is better, I'll buy a new right as well from them and just eat the $20 one from LMC. It will be worth it if it saves me body work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 17, 2023 Share Posted April 17, 2023 I received my Right Side Upper Wheel Arch Panel over the weekend from LMC. I have to say that I'm not pleased with it at first glance. The body lines don't seem to match up well and couple that with it arriving with 2 bent corners in shipping and I'm less than satisfied. Not sure why they wouldn't put foam caps on the corners for shipping? Seems logical to me. LMC doesn't accept returns for bent corners as they say it is to be expected in shipping. I plan to buy from Tabco (As Gary recommends) for the Left Side. If it is better, I'll buy a new right as well from them and just eat the $20 one from LMC. It will be worth it if it saves me body work! Please let us know what you think of Tabco vs LMC. And you can capture your thoughts about it on the LMC review thread at Marketplace/Vender Reviews & Ratings/LMC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerman5K Posted April 17, 2023 Author Share Posted April 17, 2023 Please let us know what you think of Tabco vs LMC. And you can capture your thoughts about it on the LMC review thread at Marketplace/Vender Reviews & Ratings/LMC. I'll do a comparison of the 2. Another thing I didn't like was the LMC was bare metal. Aren't they usually painted? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerman5K Posted April 17, 2023 Author Share Posted April 17, 2023 I'll do a comparison of the 2. Another thing I didn't like was the LMC was bare metal. Aren't they usually painted? Just ordered the Tabco. Hopefully it is better. Shipping for it cost more than the panel itself! Hopefully that means they will do a good job packaging it. LMC was only $8 shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81-F150-Explorer Posted April 17, 2023 Share Posted April 17, 2023 I'll do a comparison of the 2. Another thing I didn't like was the LMC was bare metal. Aren't they usually painted? Ford body Panels/parts were/are painted primer black. Very little work to get them ready for paint. Just a nice prep cleaning etc... ----------------- Bare metal parts? I'd stay away from those if possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerman5K Posted April 22, 2023 Author Share Posted April 22, 2023 Ford body Panels/parts were/are painted primer black. Very little work to get them ready for paint. Just a nice prep cleaning etc... ----------------- Bare metal parts? I'd stay away from those if possible. Update... my left wheel arch just came in from Tabco and I've made a discovery. They are exactly the same! On closer inspection, they both came with the same "Made in the USA: Tabco" sticker on them! The LMC just puts their own inventory sticker over the Tabco logo! I can't speak for all body panels but thse both seem to be made by Tabco but Tabco charges nearly double! $17 for LMC and $8 shipping. $22 for Tabco and $22 for shipping. Shipping quality seems to be about equal. Neither come primed! I'll do an update when I mount them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 22, 2023 Share Posted April 22, 2023 Update... my left wheel arch just came in from Tabco and I've made a discovery. They are exactly the same! On closer inspection, they both came with the same "Made in the USA: Tabco" sticker on them! The LMC just puts their own inventory sticker over the Tabco logo! I can't speak for all body panels but thse both seem to be made by Tabco but Tabco charges nearly double! $17 for LMC and $8 shipping. $22 for Tabco and $22 for shipping. Shipping quality seems to be about equal. Neither come primed! I'll do an update when I mount them. That is an interesting, and valuable, observation! Good for LMC! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machspeed Posted April 23, 2023 Share Posted April 23, 2023 That is an interesting, and valuable, observation! Good for LMC! I purchased mine through NPD a couple years ago. Mine came E-coated and were of very good quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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