Best replacement metal

[utnick]

I just picked up a 76 911 that is in need of some metal replacement and am looking for opinions on the best replacement metal from those that have experience fitting pieces from the various manufacturers.

So far, I need the following pieces:

-battery tray
-Front Fender Jamb Joining Plate L and R
-Rocker Panel (Door Sill)-welded on outer R side

Looking to choose the best panels whether they are the new Porsche, Dansk, or Restoration Design. Which are the best quality/best fit? Are the new Porsche pieces just rebranded Dansk?

[fishfan009]

I've done those using Rest Design, and am very pleased with their quality. Shipped right away, and had them pretty fast. I have 2 other LWB cars that will need floors and front pans, and will be using them again. Just my 2 cents.

[coomo]

Restoration design for floor pans,etc.You can get away with Dansk for sills, kidneys etc if you dont mind more fettling.The Real Porsche panels usually fit better but you pay more.Its how you value your time really.
Few years back,I bought some "specialist" parts that were twice price of Dansk.However the seller forgot to remove the Dansk sticker on the reverse.Wasnt happy.

[SCadaddle]

10 years ago I had my dear friend that has done more restorative metal work on 356's and 911's than anyone around over the years replace the inner and outer rocker panels on my 69 912. The inner rockers weren't in bad shape, but since we were there may as well. As for the outer rockers, my friend offered me a set of new old stock Porsche rockers he had on hand for about the same price as a set of new repros made by Dansk from Restoration Design. The "only" difference was that with the new old stock ones we would have to weld up the deco trim holes, as the Dansk pieces didn't have the holes. I wound up buying both inner and outer Dansk rockers from Restoration Design.

Inner rockers came off and went on without any issues. Outer rockers were another story. Took considerable force and clamping to get the inner upper channel of the new rocker into its spot in the chassis where the door rubber seal fits. The doors to the car were never loosened/moved and they fit the original outer rockers just fine---reason for replacement was a few rust holes. Considerable time was spent fitting the rockers by using shims to maintain a consistent vertical gap below the door and the top of the rocker. The in-out fit when the door was closed somehow got overlooked. The result is now my new rockers are about 1/4-3/8" too close to the centerline of the car, i.e. the doors "overhang" the rockers by that amount. Bondo isn't going to work to make the fix. I'm either going to have to use lead to build up the outer edge of the rockers or cut them off and try again.

Interesting enough, I found the set of new old stock rockers that were still on hand and with a straight edge and a drafting triangle measured the distance from the outer edge of the rocker to the point where it welds to the chassis. The new old stock rockers were right at 1/4-3/8" longer/wider in this dimension than the Dansk ones that were installed on the car.

You asked, that's my story, keep it in mind on your resto work.

[utnick]

Thanks! I think I'm going to order the Porsche branded replacement parts. I've been through this with Jags and VWs and am more than happy to spend the money up front for a better fitting part.