Not too happy with AMD

[69chargerboy]

Recently my body guy suggested to replace my roof skin due to the original vinyl top causing issues. So of course I buy a skin from AMD. The roof skin came in a nice thick sturdy box, no visual shipping damage. After my body guy and I took the roof out of the box and put it on his body parts stand, he ran his hand along the roof and noticed lots of waves in the metal. After talking to my body guy about our time frame to get the car done, we decided to keep the roof rather than return it to AMD, in hopes to get a better quality one. Currently I have sent an email to AMD and waiting for there response. I was wondering if any one else had similar parts quality issues with AMD? Thanks

 

[Propwash]

AMD makes the best fitting aftermarket panels for our cars, hands down. That being said, most of them are not perfect and require some work to be correct. It's just the way it is. Never the less, AMD's parts are far more correct than a lot of other's out there on the market. Heck, some producer's of aftermarket sheetmetal out there are so bad, that you wouldn't even think it was for the correct vehicle.

Being in your shoes, of course I could see the frustration with buying sheetmetal and pay the shipping for something that's going to cost you more to get correct. I believe AMD is the only one stamping a roof skin for that car. If you didn't have that, look at the situation you would be in. 1) Have to patch and try to repair the leaky star gazing roof that was on there. 2) Find a donor vehicle, with a good roof skin to replace.

I just got done putting a donor roof skin on a Dodge Dart. For one I had to find a decent roof, drive 9 hours to get it, pay $400 dollar's for it, drill out all the spot welds (about 100-120), grind the stitch welds out at the pillar's and melt out the lead.......Then do it alllllll over again on the original roof. Honestly, if AMD made a roof skin for a Dart, I would have ordered one from them in a heartbeat before going the donor route. Look at all the extra time, gas/money, travel I spent for a donor roof. Being you're not doing the work, a donor roof for you would have definitely cost more money & headaches vs. the AMD skin.

Again, I can see where you're coming from (spending that kind of money) but be assured, the AMD roof is probably the only place you'll get a roof skin, and again, probably has cost you less in the end anyways. A lot of good body guys will skim coat a roof anyways (for a nice flat surface), and looking at those "waves", that's about all it needs anyways

 

[69chargerboy]

Propwash, you made many good points all around. I guess I was expecting a better quality from them. My body guy loves using AMDs panels for other cars he has done. He was a bit more shocked than I was. I don't know anything about body and paint work. He suggested for me to send an email to the powers that be at AMD to let them know that this may be an issue on their end they may not be aware of to correct. :VB toast:

 

[hunt2elk]

Seems to be hit or miss with the quality of AMD pieces. Some are great, but others leave a lot to be desired and need a bunch of work to make them useable. Like Will said though, AMD is the best from what we have to pick from for these old Mopars.

 

[70Gtx]

 

[eldubb440]

that piece is unacceptable in my opinion......... usable, but unacceptable

 

[mrsnicks]

I would love it if they made a roof skin for my 71 Charger. I'd take that in a heartbeat.

 

[Propwash]

Propwash, you made many good points all around. I guess I was expecting a better quality from them. My body guy loves using AMDs panels for other cars he has done. He was a bit more shocked than I was. I don't know anything about body and paint work. He suggested for me to send an email to the powers that be at AMD to let them know that this may be an issue on their end they may not be aware of to correct. :VB toast:

I totally understand where you're coming from chargerboy. It's not like they give those things away! I too have contacted AMD on a couple of occasions. Once for the bad/poorly formed indent for the bumper, on their full quarters and another time with a bad lip on a crossmember. I'll be completely honest and tell you I wasn't happy with their response or more appropriately put, their "non-response" or willingness to remedy.

So it's one of those "rock and a hard place" scenario's with them. But, I'll mention again....AMD is going to be probably the best fitting metal you'll find for your car. Real sorry to see the issues you and your bodyman have to deal with. Seems like you Charger guys (like hunt2elk), really take the brunt of AMD sheetmetal issues on Mopars. I think an email or a call would be a good idea as well. One would think that the more people calling/emailing with concerns would raise a flag, and make them circle the wagon on their tooling for that part.

Best of luck to you and your bodyman. I hope the project rolls out well for you guys.

 

[drc270]

I wish the pieces I bought from AMD fit that good....

 

[super-bee_ski]

Gee,
Have you contacted AMD?
I just ordered a trunk-pan for the 1963 Polara.
Quality is Excellent!

 

[iraqivet01]

No problem with the pieces I ordered, but you'll see that in any repop piece. My cousins fender from Year One was is worst shape then the one he was replacing it with. Just skim coated and break out the long sanding block. Got lucky on my rear panel for the Coronet, but all pieces will need skim coated to make them straight. Even the factory cars aren't perfect.

 

[747mopar]

I really hate seeing this, I bought all of my AMD metal very shortly after they became available and the quality was so much better than what I've been seeing lately. Just goes to show what happens when you send good quality dies over to China and expect them to run it like they really give a ****. If you ask me we have our a$$hole politicians to thank for all of the crap we're stuck with........... oh yeah and us for buying it!

 

[Hemirunner]

I've restored one of these cars back in the day before AMD metal was available. AMD is worlds better than pealing old metal off a donor car to replace rust. I think a few of you complainers need a reality check...

 

[Randra]

My dad bought a pair of quarters for his Camaro that looked wrinkled like that years ago. I made him return them. Luckily GM was still selling news ones back than. What a nightmare it would have been to work with that crap.

 

[69chargerboy]

I just received an email from AMD stating ..."John,

Thanks for the photos,

I have taken a look at another skin I have here and it looks like what you have there,
I am contacting my manufacturer and letting them know about the complaints.

Let me know if you need anything else on this one,

Thanks"

 

[inspector]

I had AMD, at their instalation center, to install the panel that goes between the rear glass and the trunk lid.(69 GTX). but when I tried to put the bottom, corner glass trim in place, it didn't fit at all,so I ordered new trim from AMD, and it didn't fit either. I called AMD and they didn't offer any help at all. My body man charged me $1500.oo to make it fit properly. They may be the best out there, but they are a long way from perfect.

 

[superbird77]

I had a similar issue with some AMD panels i had bought for my RR. The best thing to do is call in and ask for a manager. I did this and got a refund for the panel and was allowed to keep it seeing as the shipping cost to return it was expensive. They did admit that some panels are off and they were making changes to fix the issues. It all comes from overseas so quality will be subjective. Call them and be firm about your issues. For what we Mopar guys pay for repro parts i feel the quality should be better than whats currently being produced.

 

[SureGrip]

Yes, sucks that they aren't 'factory', but as others said, find someone else selling an entire roof skin.

For what you have there, a skim coat of filler, some blocking and a couple coats of spray-poly and you'll be in good shape.

 

[miller]

A little side-tracked, kinda-sorta. Still AMD stuff, though. Really figures stuff made over-seas.

Anybody try their valve covers? Ordered a set from Mancini. Told not before January 15, before they got 'em from AMD. Still nothing. Suppose any day now.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

I used an AMD one piece floor pan in the last Duster I restored a few years ago. The fit and quality was very good. I have never had any major problems with their stuff, and I still believe they are the best on the market. I see what you are talking about with the roof panel though. Good luck with it, and please keep us posted.