I realize that I am talking about a brand that is not very well liked here, for whatever reason. But I was looking at purchasing an '03 Baja with 130K miles that was in excellent mechanical condition. And the body is fairly solid except for a great big rot hole through the rear of the rear door jams where it kicks up into the quarter panel. Does anyone make a patch panel for this (Can't seem to find one) or could I slice this area out of a donor Legacy perhaps?
I haven't seen many patch panels produced for Subarus. Seems like if someone could produce one for the rear fender rust it would sell.
In reply to EvanB :
Yeah, I noticed. The ones that are available are weeeird. How much demand is there for the dogleg on '85-'94 Loyales? But no quarter panels for Legacy/Outbacks
Not very well liked? I love Subarus.
Have you checked with a local body shop for patch panels?
I'm guessing that your best bet would be cut it out of a donor.
Have you checked with a dealer? Looking at the parts catalogs from one of the many online Subaru parts suppliers, it appears they still sell body replacement panels.
In reply to stuart in mn :
Looks like I would have to purchase a whole quarter panel to get what I need, along with rocker panels
I was looking for a Subie for my son a year or so back and looked into patch panels, since EVERY Subaru north of the Indy has grapefruit-sized holes in the rear quarters. Either my Googlefu is weak, or they just aren't out there. Seemed to me there would be a market for them.
I'd guess the lack of patch panels is because your average legacy/outback isn't a particularly rare or desirable car?
Trying to think of a decent way to word it.
There are plenty of patch panels out there for just average cars, and considering how diehard Subaru owners are and how popular they are in the rust belt, you would think it would be a prime market for someone to make.
I recently bought some panels from raybuck for a miata.. it might be worth contacting them and seeing if they have any interest in it?
stuart in mn said:Have you checked with a dealer? Looking at the parts catalogs from one of the many online Subaru parts suppliers, it appears they still sell body replacement panels.
And this may be the reason there aren't many aftermarket parts. Backtracking thru that link I was able to find body parts for a 1990 Legacy sedan. Why would a company make reproduction/replacement body parts when you can still get them from the manufacturer?
Check with Subie Savers. I bought a pair of rear arches from the first batch when I had a 2.5RS. The metal is a little thinner than I would like, but the stamping quality is pretty good. Here's their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/subiesavers/
In reply to vwfreek :
Their regular website is down and their Facebook hasn't been updated in a while. Also noticed they said they don't "currently" have 3rd-gen Legacy doglegs. Shot them a message, and I'm hopeful, but looks bleak
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