fenders (inner and outer) cab and front clip

[ggdad1951]

ok, in anticipation of actually getting things back together, I test fit my inner fenders tonight...how the heck do they stay in there? I saw ONE bolt hole that lines up with the rad support/front clip assy. What about the bolt for the bracket that holds the parking brake cable? Do the inner fenders "float" enough so there is room for the bolt head?

I'm sure it's simple and I'm WAY over thinking, but for the life of me I can't remember how the inner fenders mount to anything!

How, besides trial and error, does one go about lining all the fenders, front clip, cab and such up? Any tricks? Pictures?

Order of assembly? Hard mount the cab first and go from there?

dazed and confused.....

[Dave72dt]

Inner fenders mount to the top inside edge of the outer fenders. Some kind of J clip slips onto the fender itself and bolts from engine side through inners to outer. There's a couple Youtube vids showing removal of front clip but I think there's references to bolts on the firewall area and rad support.

Edited April 18, 2012 by Dave72dt

[ggdad1951]

Inner fenders mount to the top inside edge of the outer fenders. Some kind of J clip slips onto the fender itself and bolts from engine side through inners to outer. There's a couple Youtube vids showing removal of front clip but I think there's references to bolts on the firewall area and rad support.

maybe, if you are still stopping up this week, we can noodle it as well. I've got the J clips on the outer fenders....but what about the rears of the inner fenders, do they all just bolt up with the triangular shaped sheilds and such.....I'm gonna have to find those videos!

edit: found one video...do the inners go in AFTER the outer fenders are on? Or is it a good idea (less paint scratching) to get them in there first?

Edited April 18, 2012 by ggdad1951

[Dave72dt]

youtube search button , pilothouse truck, 4 part series by one of our own and another with Merle removing the inner fender without pulling the entire clip.

Thinking Thurs aft. If I don't make it, I'll send my son back with them this weekend.

[HanksB3B]

Hope this helps,

Hank

[Todd B]

You must put the inner fenders in just laying there before you attach the outer fender. if you install the outer first you cannot slide the inner down in place.

My experience on my b1b a few weeks ago.

Todd B

[ggdad1951]

youtube search button , pilothouse truck, 4 part series by one of our own and another with Merle removing the inner fender without pulling the entire clip.

Thinking Thurs aft. If I don't make it, I'll send my son back with them this weekend.

thanks all, I have the parts book exploded assy....just trying to wrap the old brain around this is all.

Thanks Dave, exactally what I needed! Let me know if you are gonna make it tomorrow! I'll PM you my number and addy.

[Dennis_MN]

Hopefully you have the rubber fender filler which goes on the fender before assembly. It's position is hard to judge until after the fender meets the body, I have one side correct and the other side is a tad off. Hopefully I will show up on Saturday morning to show you what not to do.

[ggdad1951]

Hopefully you have the rubber fender filler which goes on the fender before assembly. It's position is hard to judge until after the fender meets the body, I have one side correct and the other side is a tad off. Hopefully I will show up on Saturday morning to show you what not to do.

yes, that would be of help! I plan on getting the rubber on before the fenders get mounted! Gotta use my split rivet setting tool I made!

[Jeff Balazs]

I'm jealous Mark

Jeff

[ggdad1951]

I'm jealous Mark

Jeff

lot sof time and money to get to this point....you'll get there too!

[Jeff Balazs]

Mark;

Oh ya I know......and I have my sights set a fair bit lower than you did.

All I really want is something that runs decent and tick's Hank off.

Still trying to come up with just the right paint scheme.......... wish I had enough original paint left to do a patina truck.

Maybe I'll just have to buy the old cattle ranch brush guard that's been on Ebay forever and do a Ben & Howdy (the Rounders) truck.

I am still jealous though.....how often do you get an offer of help from someone that is willing to show you what not to do?

I've needed that my whole life.

You guy's have a great day!

Jeff

[HanksB3B]

Jeff.

I know you'll figure out something to tick me off. Let's see...

1. Wanting to switch to 53 fenders on a 48 humm that could be done correctly if you cut your running boards off in the middle and maintain the front and rear detail of them and have the center seam flawless. That wouldn't tick me off if the mismatch holes in the bed were flawlessly filled. Though it would de-value your truck if you were ever to sell it.

2. Not trying to get your engine going without "Suprise I pulled out the Water Distribution Tube" That didn't tick me off and you made up for it with your "fishing" thread.

So far I haven't seen you do anything un-professional or butcher-like that would tick me off. I don't like "most patina's" especially if they are forced, but if you ever saw "Dolly Dodge" parked against the mountains it tells a story.

Now an airplane trying to run me down...that'd piss me off! (Hey Jeff there's your truck!)

Not my cup-o-tea to modify them radically unless you do right by it.

Doesn't tick me off to modify things like the Rusty Hope kit or John T53's T5 conversion.

Really the only thing that ticks me off is a project hacked and not finished thereby turning a nostalgic vintage automobile into scrap metal.

You're not planning on doing that are you?

Hank

Edited April 19, 2012 by HanksB3B

[Desotodav]

I recall installing my inner guards with the fenders and nosecone already on the truck. One does have to very careful of the paint scratching factor though. I think I had to stand on the correct foot and have my tongue hanging out a particular side of my mouth to get them to slide perfectly into place!!! Best to place a soft cloth or fender protector mat over the top of the fender too during this process. I installed the rubber edge onto the smaller rear attachment plate with split rivets - thought that I had pictures but can't find them. I found that I had to attach the small plate piece after the inner guards were in the truck. I should have installed about a 1 inch wide piece of flat rubber between the inner guard and where it bolts to the fender and may still do that one day. I'm sure you'll manage it just fine Mark. Couple of old pics for you of how my inner guards were when they initially came off the 52 truck...

Desotodav

[HanksB3B]

For me, it was a simple decision that what must be done was to get the front grill mounted to the radiator support, then get the doors on because there is a vertical line between the doors and the front fenders that should be parallel and allow for clearance when the doors to opened and closed. Then get each outer fender on.

Everything should be moveable at this point you may find you want to use shims under the radiator support. You may find you want to move the whole front clip a little fore or aft.

By all means protect parts like the inner fenders from coming into contact and scratching your new paint job by using painter's tape thin foam rubber, or other creative means.

Carefully test-fit the inner fenders by gently sliding them down with a helper so that you know what's happening at both ends. If they clear, heck bolt them in with two bolts, if not carefully remove them, move the front clip forward (there are only two bolts under the radiator and the holes are slotted to accomodate this adjustment)

The key is this "Keep everything loosey goosey, move slowly and carefully then once you get it tighten er up"

It took me three days! Sure I did other stuff, but made sure I gave myself time out to think about things rather than reach the point of frustration when mistakes happen.

My body shop owner said "There is no way you are going to get that thing together without scratching it up". I won that round!

Just take your time, it'll all work out,

Hank

Edited April 19, 2012 by HanksB3B

[48Dodger]

Hope this helps.

This is my youtube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/194853DodgeTrucks

This is the 4 video deal I did on front clip removal:

This is Merle's video.....

48D