[luis_ma]

Good morning All,
Has anyone recently changed the body side capping on their NAS Defender?
I bought an original replacement and when installing it, realized the “lip” containing the holes for the rivets are offset by 1/4 inch. Below you will find pics of the original (green) and new (grey) capping.
Options I’ve been given are:
1- weld an additional metal piece to the “lip” to extend it
2- weld and close the original holes in the aluminum tub, and drill new ones that match the new capping
Any ideas will be appreciated!

 

[luis_ma]

 

[bboldt3]

When rebuilding my 1994 NAS tub I also bought new oem cappings, but they didn’t line up well so I deciding to restore my originals.

I think the new cappings are built for new tubs not ours. Definitely modifications to your tub will be required

Ben

 

[luis_ma]

When rebuilding my 1994 NAS tub I also bought new oem cappings, but they didn’t line up well so I deciding to restore my originals.

I think the new cappings are built for new tubs not ours. Definitely modifications to your tub will be required

Ben

Thanks for your reply, Ben.
I ended up taking the tub to a welder who did a great job closing the existing holes. After a quick sanding you can’t tell where they were. I will drill new ones once I fit the new cappings.

 

[6777]

Has someone who has re-done the cappings on their truck after dipping The biggest thing that makes them look good is the use of high quality rivets.

I chose to use rivets with an aluminum mandrel and a closed back. I'm not sure if the originals have a stainless steel mandrel or not. But I wanted to be able to easily remove them if I had to.

5 years later I've never removed any of the rivets and they all still look great. The closed butt definitely looks better

 

[KGH]

The closed butt definitely looks better

Send us your butt pics. Meaning rivets. Or a part #?

 

[6777]

I just got them from Albany fastener , used to live a few miles away. Granger will also have em !