Frank Elder Posted December 13, 2008 Report Posted December 13, 2008 I just read Paul's hubcap thread and saw a small portion of a red fender on a truck owned by Dennis MN. My question to the forum is, The exposed fastener on the fender connects to the running board? Why would dodge choose this method, it is a good looking truck, such a poorly executed connection detracts from it's looks. No offense meant, just curious. Quote
pflaming Posted December 13, 2008 Report Posted December 13, 2008 Initially the bolt was to secure a Texas Longhorn button! Structurally and practically, it eliminates a strut maybe two, one for the fender corner the other for the running board. The back end of the running board is tied into the fender and thus each support the other. Haven't look at Chvy's and FRD's so cannot compare. Quote
Frank Elder Posted December 13, 2008 Author Report Posted December 13, 2008 Thanks pal, thought there would be a job-rated answer out there! They didn't worry too much about cosmetics back then just a good, practical work truck, so it makes sense. Quote
Dennis_MN Posted December 13, 2008 Report Posted December 13, 2008 Why would dodge choose this method, it is a good looking truck, such a poorly executed connection detracts from it's looks.No offense meant, just curious. The really offensive connection is the rivets holding the top of the fender. Mine were removed and the fender was welded to the bracket and filled in. I saw another pilothouse owner who also filled in the lower bolt. Then he glued on a Mopar Pentastar over the spot. I never got a picture of that detail but it was pretty neat. Dennis Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted December 13, 2008 Report Posted December 13, 2008 This is another picture of the 3 factory original fender attaching large head rivits. They look fine to me. Bob:) Quote
pflaming Posted December 13, 2008 Report Posted December 13, 2008 If you want durability, buy a Dodge with a few exposed bolt heads; if you want pretty buy frd or chvy. Another way of putting it is this: breasted or flat? Quote
Brendan D25 Posted December 13, 2008 Report Posted December 13, 2008 Exposed, breasted or flat. What's this forum coming to? Quote
Frank Elder Posted December 14, 2008 Author Report Posted December 14, 2008 $29.99, for TRUCKS GONE WILD! Quote
grey beard Posted December 17, 2008 Report Posted December 17, 2008 Actually, the bottom most of those thrre bolts doew not fasten to the running board, but to the frame bracket to which the running board front edge fastens. It's a pretty stout arrangement, in keeping with the rest of the vehicle's design. The arrangement of these rear fender mounting points each allows for adjustments with shims or fender washers, to get sixty-year-ld bvody fits back to an acceptable look. The two tup rivet heads were tailor made to colleft rust. Pilothouse trucks with perfect fender skins at this juncture are few and far betweem. I rep0laced my rivets with stainless carriage bolts, rather than removing them entirely. I like the original look. JMHO Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted December 17, 2008 Report Posted December 17, 2008 Here are a couple more pictures of I believe an original B-series fender lower cross head bolt and the back side view of this bolt. Backside view shows grease covering this area because I have always smeared cosmoline or grease on the backside surfaces of known Dodge truck rust out areas to prevent the rust out. Have owned this truck since 1972. Bob Quote
MBF Posted December 17, 2008 Report Posted December 17, 2008 Yup-the phillips style head is what connects a short splash apron to the lower front fenders. This apron is in turn attached to the front of the running board. I like Gray Beard like the look and did the same with my rivets after welding in a piece to replace the rusted out portion (caused by the rivet design of course). Mike Quote
Frank Elder Posted December 17, 2008 Author Report Posted December 17, 2008 Embrace the rivit grasshopper, You know it do grow on you after a while! Quote
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