front end removal steps

[layedout72]

im just wondering if the core support can or SHOULD come off BEFORE the inner fenders. the passenger side came off fairly simple, but this driver side is a little more solid and seems to have an edge that grabs the firewall, and also the core support area. Is this what should be done, the core support first?

[SportCustom]

The core support was the last thing that I took off, not that this was the "correct" way but it seemed to work for me.

[layedout72]

alright, its just catching on the little "rails" i guess you could call them. they look like its where two pieces of metal were joined, but like a seam really. Any more info would be appreciated.

[layedout72]

when im taking the core support off, do I need to take off those bolts from the bottom that are in the frame? It looks to me like it a body mount style mount.

[fordman]

yes that is what holds the support on. for a total front clip removal there are three bolts on each side on the firewall at the top then there are two straps made of rubber on the bottom of the inner fenders that are bolted to the firewall and the two bolts in the core support that go through the frame as well as one bolt on the bottom of the fender near the door and inside the door is one bolt in the hinge area that one is fun

[layedout72]

any idea on how to get the bolts out of the frame? I would personally like to pull it without the bumper, but i cant seem to get anything on the top bumper bolts.

Any tips how to take these off? They are like a size 18, and i dont have a deep socket 18. I wanna say they are like a 3/4 inch bolt...but if anyone can tell me what an 18 converts to "american" , it would prolly help a little if I have to go and BUY something to get them off.

[fordman]

i think the core support bolts are 5/8 and i took them off from the top while i wedged a cresent on the bottom nut. and against something under there. the bumper bolts are carriage bolts and come off from under the truck. i think they are 3/4 deep will work best on those. or maybe a cresent. they could be smaller i don't remember. i removed a bumper in oklahoma with only a couple of tools. i got lucky and only broke one bolt. i think.

[fordman]

oh the lower valance is bolted to the core support so the bumper has to come off or the valance has to come off of the core support.

[layedout72]

it seems like the only nuts I can get to, are all from the bottom...

I will go take a few pics to show you what all I see.

[fordman]

the bolts on the core supporrt are probably covered with leafs and dirt and rusty stuff. they are there.

[layedout72]

found em.....and my craftsman 3/8 ratchet skips when i push so hard . Do I need to keep the metal part of those mounts? Ive got em soaking in PB Blaster as of now, maybe I can get them tomorrow afternoon. and you were right, 3/4 inch is perfect.

[foghorn]

IMO you need to use a 1/2 impact to get the core bolts off. run them back and forth so as not to twist them off. You may also want to pb blaster them in the process. Sometimes they will get dry from running them back and forth. I know in my dads shop we used a 1/2 impact to tighten these bolts up. A 3/8 might do it with some doing. But all in all the 1/2 is the way to go.

foggy

[layedout72]

well...I dont have an impact wrench and really dont have the compressor nor the cash to get/use one....

[layedout72]

talked to keith a little bit and he said jsut to cut through the bolts and get new mounts. I think this is a good idea, but all I have is an angle grinder. No compressor/cut off wheel so im kinda in a bind for getting this off. I really would like to remove it though as it would REALLY REALLY help the look of the truck over all with a newly painted piece behind a new grille.

[FORDification]

You can buy cut-off wheels for the angle grinder for a couple bucks. They're the same diameter as a grinding wheel but a lot thinner. That's all I use around my shop for cutting metal.