Fitment of 28-29 lower cow patch panels?
 

Hello all,
I got my cab back from the mediablaster and naturally a handfull of pinholes showed up in the drivers side lower cowl area. The body shop recommended of going ahead and getting the patch panels (i really only need the drivers side if someone has a spare) but im wondering how well they actually fit. do they have all the necessary curves bent into them already and fit well?

Re: Fitment of 28-29 lower cow patch panels?
 

No personal experience with what is available today, but I recall hearing fitment problems on those panels in years past. If I recall it was in respect to the compound curve of the panel. If your need is for the lowest portion of the panel, I would expect the curve issue to be minimal.

Re: Fitment of 28-29 lower cow patch panels?
 

You don't have to use the whole patch panel, you can cut what you need off and use it. You could also make a small patch panel depending on the size.

Re: Fitment of 28-29 lower cow patch panels?
 

I made my own patch panels for 3 vehicles - see pictures. it wasn't tough if you have a MIG welder and some basic tools. I use copper backing when I weld in the patches, as it dissipates the heat to prevent warping and welding blow through. I try to save as much as the original sheetmetal as possible, as it looks and fits correctly.

Re: Fitment of 28-29 lower cow patch panels?
 

Russ/40 has it right. My cowl panel replacements needed compound curve massaging and sharper bends at the A pillar. It took me a lot of time with the body hammer and dolly to get it right. You might be better off to do as others suggest and only replace the portion at the bottom with the rust through.

Re: Fitment of 28-29 lower cow patch panels?
 

A common issues with any panel is trying to put a flat patch into a compound curve.

You need to first make the panel match the compound curve or it will never be right.

I would only replace the rusty areas. You must understand that every weld is actually a shrink point that needs to be stretched. You do this with hammer on dolly work. If you are mig welding you first need to level the surface. This can be time consuming as you are better off doing few spot welds then level and correct. This is were TIG welding has and advantage.