front end tins

[wt4speed#2]

Well I'll soon be reassembling the front end. I pulled front fenders inner fenders and core support. Replaced core support(later model thanks billbobjunkie) and right inner fender and battery tray(thanks cobraF100). My problem I feel is getting fenders and all to line up any suggestions. I already played with right fender and can see that it's going to be interesting. Everything is still loose ie core support and inner fenders. Start high work down or start low work up ?

Tony B

[FORDification]

Since the bed rests directly on the frame, that's the constant. Your cab will then get lined up with the bed, by using a long length of string down the bump. Then install the radiator support and fenders, and shim the radiator support to raise it to get the front fenders lined up with the cab and box.

[Heavenlyfire]

Thanks for the string tip Kieth, never thought about that.

[GT-Racer]

but can you not shim the bed as well?

[wt4speed#2]

And my stepside throw the kink in it. I could go off the bump on the cab,just go all the way around the cab. what about the inner fender front mounts all the way up,middle or what????

Tony B

[FORDification]

but can you not shim the bed as well?

You can, but I can't think of any reason why you'd need to. If anything, the rubber cab mounts and/or bushings will have collapsed, meaning the cab is lower. If the cab is higher than the bed, then that's what needs fixed, not the bed. The position of the bed will never change, providing of course that the bed supports aren't rusted out. So all the other sheetmetal needs to be lined up with the box.

And my stepside throw the kink in it. I could go off the bump on the cab,just go all the way around the cab. what about the inner fender front mounts all the way up,middle or what????

Your flareside bed isn't any different...it's bolted directly to the frame, so providing it's not rusted out, it's position is constant. The inner fender mounts (at the firewall) control the position of the rear of each front fender, that's how you raise or lower it to match with the bump from the door. Then you can raise or lower the radiator support to get the front of the fender lined up straight with the door and box, using the long piece of string.

[GT-Racer]

ok I gotcha keith. that makes sense now. Its just too late at night to comprehend all this info. Thanks

[wt4speed#2]

And my stepside throw the kink in it. I could go off the bump on the cab,just go all the way around the cab. what about the inner fender front mounts all the way up,middle or what????

Your flareside bed isn't any different...it's bolted directly to the frame, so providing it's not rusted out, it's position is constant. The inner fender mounts (at the firewall) control the position of the rear of each front fender, that's how you raise or lower it to match with the bump from the door. Then you can raise or lower the radiator support to get the front of the fender lined up straight with the door and box, using the long piece of string.

At the present time my bed is off so I'll just adjust it accordingly when it's put back on.
Now it's just a matter of finding enough arms to lift,move ,and tighten the bolts all at the same time <grin>.
Had girl friend in HS that all ways accused me of being an octopus,wonder where that trait went.


Tony B