DIY quarter skins

Cool thread. I replaced both 1/4s on my duster and let me tell you, it's not fun. (now this is my PERSONAL opinion so if you don't agree I'm cool with that, as a matter of fact I'm just a dude with a wire welder that I borrowed from a friend and fairly cool HOA. I'm a computer geek if that tells you anything :) )

From what I did I learned a couple of things:
1. Aftermarket panels are "close" at best. I got mine from goodmark and it's not like replacing brakes, there is a fair amount of metal work to do at the edges (wheel opening, rocker and door jamb).
2. Replace JUST beyond what is rusted, the more metal you replace the more "matching" of panels you have to do.
3. try to keep the panel that you cut out. as much of it as you can you'll need it for reference and if you are doing both sides, do one at a time so you can match it.
4. TEST FIT EVERYTHING. more than a dozen times, things move when you least expect it. Use clamps, magnets and more clamps to make SURE everything is perfect when you start, because it wont be when you're finished (heat does funny things to metal) if you have to clamp the crap out of it to get it in place... it's not cut right... it will warp when you weld it..
5. welding is an art and I can only weld stick people.... :lol:

Some people like to cut at the body lines and others like to cut in the middle of the panel, having no experience to begin with I chose to cut in the middle and my panel turned out so wavy I had to cut it again and redo one whole side. On the other side I did it pretty close to the body line. Now with that said I am NO welder or body guy but I am determined and I only built a daily driver (I wouldn't attempt a show car). check out my cardomain page in my sig to see what fun I had.