I'm thinking of starting the body work on my Durango. Both fenders and the hood are in need of replacement. I have found aftermarket sheet metal options but am a little worried about their durability. The last new fender I bought for one of my old cars was so thin it would dent just looking at it wrong. Has anyone used these parts and have any experience with them? I have no idea what gauge sheet metal the factory used. I also live in lovely rusty new england so finding a used hood would be possible, finding fenders where the lower corners are still in one piece instead of rusted holes like mine are is really not an easy task.

This is where I was looking. Most all seem to be the same. I'm guessing all the aftermarket pieces are made at the same place just marketed with different brands. None of the companies I have contacted bothered to get back to me with the sheet metal thickness.
Painted Automotive Parts

 

The seem to indicate they get their parts from OEM manufacturers...... Which should be good.

 

Perhaps, but a factory OEM from dodge fender is about $500. These are $130 or so. I realize dealer markup exists but that's a massive price gap to be the same part.

 

When I was working at a dealership, we sold sparkplugs for 6 bucks, the same plugs you could buy at the parts store for a buck..... Dealer markup on some stuff is frigging ludicrous....

I had a Gravely Tractor for a while, and needed a fuel pump. The Gravely price was north of 400 bucks. The EXACT same pump for the automotive application of the same engine? 25 bucks. Water pump: Gravely price, 627.00..... aftermarket automotive pump? 28 bucks......

If it makes ya nervous, call 'em and ask 'em. They say that their OEM parts are indicated, and they list the OEM number for that fender.... but, is it really an OEM part? Gotta admit, it's just a tad confusing. (wonder if that is intended.....)

 

Yeah, their markups can be insane. $15 bucks for a bolt that's .20 from mcmaster carr.

I doubt it's an OEM fender. It may be made with the same press molds but may or may not be the same quality metal. I did try to contact them. Never got a reply. I can try calling again I guess.

 

Yeah, unfortunately, a fair few of the 'quality' aftermarket parts are now made in China, with cheap steel, thinner than OEM, etc. Tissue Paper comes to mind...... Finding REAL quality parts, of ANY description, these days, is an exercise in frustration.

 

I have better luck with original but used factory parts, than aftermarket replacement especially on body panels.i spend lots of time going to junkyards because of that. In fact I am currently in Georgia to haul back a load of rust free sheet metal for my 85 D150 dodge truck. I bought bed side panels from ebay and once I got here I unexpectedly ended up with a trailer FULL. The trailer was empty when I left Illinois.