The new Cheby body pannels are PLASTIC!!!!

[Gary - K7GLD]

IF the main thrust and intent of this thread is to infer that Dodges are BETTER than GM or Ford in truck construction, yer in for a surprise!

Yup, the Cheby has a plastic bed, so does the late model Ford Ranger with the Styleside bed - BUT (GASP!) SO DID the Dodge Dakota I was looking at on the dealer lot a few months back...

Excellent arguments pro and con can be made concerning the use of "plastic" in various body parts in our trucks and cars - but one brand is hardly more innocent than the others in that regard - and what WE sneer at today, just MIGHT be what we DRIVE tomorrow! #ad
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http://community. webshots.com/user/davison71 Early '91 250, 727 AT, 307 rear... 108,000 trouble-free miles... Banks Stinger exhaust, intercooler... US Gear OD... Tweaked pump, upgraded radiator... Power Shot 2000 propane system... Mag-Hytec double deep A/T transmission pan...

MORE than a match for every new PS Ford encountered so far...

"Dura" WHAT? NOW I know where all those recycled beer cans go...

 

[Joe G.]

Gary,

I'm with you on this one. I think that we will see more and more plastic used to build cars and trucks. As I said in the above post, my experience with plastic body parts has been very positive so far. I'll bet bodies are glued together not too many years down the road. Better get some stock in ABS glue! #ad
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[Shawn.L.Turbo]

You know what, I wish DC would put polymer panels on their trucks too!

We have a Saturn with polymer panels, and we've hammered them under all sorts of conditions, and never cracked or anything. It's about $170 per panel to replace, which really is not a heck of a lot different than what it would cost to repair a metal one.

Polymer is lighter, resistant to dings and bangs, won't rust, and salt won't eat it away.

After owning our Saturn, I wish more of the mfg's would make 'em this way.

Additionally the PAINT is better on the polymer panels, since they have to use a very elastic paint that can tolerate flexing many times without cracking. No more flaked off paint!

Dunno about plastic, but certainly POLYMER panels have my vote!!

Shawn

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'99 2500 ISB QC 4x4 5spd SB, Camper Special, Tow package, Armourthane color matched box liner, Reese 14K slider, Tekonsha Voyager.

 

[NVR FNSH]

You guys are missing my point. The bedsides being plastic is not a problem - the floor & inner bed walls that's a different story. The outer bedskins are cosmetic they don't need to carry the load.

Brian

 

[MCrossley]

Not against plastic for some of the reasons above but for a truck I have to agree the plastic is no good, just like the photot above if you back into the truck with a pipe on a Dodge you most likely will ding the metal if you do that on the Chevy I think you would stand a good chance of just poking through it and then great for a small hole you end up with a new bed side. At least on our 3500's you can just replace the fender if you screw up on a tight corner.

 

[Scot]

Originally posted by JConley

I just got an e-mail that said "Plastic dont rust" I didnt know their was such a big problem with the Chevys rusting out. Fact remains that fiberglass and metal can be repaired. These side pannels are damage once, throw away.

I guess GM finally got the rust monster under control. I bought a 73 Chevy in 76 that was only rusted out: rear of front fenders, rocker panels, corners of doors, cab corners, and above the rear wheels. It was garage kept in Houston TX. Funny thing was you saw virtually no rust on the 67-72's.



As for poo-pooing plastic fenders, remember the '57 Chevy Cameo?

 

[Dr.Evil]

I think I have to side with the Plastic Guys here. I've seen too many nice vehicles dissolved! in the rust belt. Painted plastic with the right kind of paint should be UV stabile, flexible, of course never rust, And if designed correctly, wouldn't even need steel reinforcements. Over-the-road trucks have used fiberglass frt ends for over 20 yrs. Granted They crack when You hit something, or blow a tire, and I've seen plastic snow plows, and dump bodys. I wouldn't drop a 1500# rock on the floor of one, but then I've seen steel dump bodys that were pretty badly beaten up too from just dirt and crushed rock! It's coming, and It'll be different, and We'll complain NOW, but It WILL be better than what We have now, lighter, stronger, and cheaper cost will be over the life of the material, not just the part.

DENNY... ... ... ... ... .