2 1/2 hrs to remove front clip - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bobs409 · 05-05-2002, 11:27 AM

If anyone was wondering how long it takes to remove a front end from one of these trucks, I just did mine and it took me exactly 2 1/2 hours to completely remove the front clip from my '69 stepside. I just love these trucks!!!

I think that's pretty fast. They did a good job when they designed these trucks. Almost every bolt came out without much fuss. I love the lower fender bolts. They come out so nice on these trucks unlike the cars of the same era.

Now, to label all the bolts and clean up this huge mess! LOL

I already miss my "best friend". It's my daily driver. It's not easy tearing apart the truck you love. Guess I'll have to make due driving my '66 & '69 Chevelle until it's back together. (I know, poor baby. LOL)

Now to dig out all those shiny new parts I've been squirreling away for the past year! Sure glad I don't have to resuse all those old parts. About all im reusing is the hood, driver fender and inner grill.

------------------
63 Impala*66 Chevelle SS*69 Chevelle*69 C10 Stepside*71 Cheyenne 20*72 Chevelle

Parts for sale:
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/mr409/items4sale.html

tom hand · 05-05-2002, 11:53 AM

Thats about right if you took it off piece by piece. If you took it off in one piece and had a little help it is a 20 minute job. Talk about well designed.

------------------
72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail
Olive Branch MS

**JIMs70GMC** · 05-05-2002, 08:10 PM

Bob, did you leave the core support on or take it off also? I plan on replacing my core support this summer(going to pick-up the replacement in 2 weeks). If you did what did you do with the radiator? Support it and leave it on or take it off? Let us now how long it takes to put it back together.
Tom, 20 minutes for the whole clip, I read the procedure in the chassis manual sounds fairly easy.

------------------
1970 GMC K25 Custom
Chesapeake, VA
My 70 GMCor Webshots http://community.webshots.com/user/70gmc

PanelDeland · 05-05-2002, 08:19 PM

2 people 20 min no air tools and 1 beer break It took almost as long to take the cowl off afterward.

------------------
Deland does Chevys 68Chevy panel(LIZ)
"A man and his truck,it's a beautiful thing"
"I have the body of a god,unfortunately it's Budda"

LeRoy · 05-05-2002, 08:59 PM

If the bolts weren't sometimes rusted solid. I could completely dissasemble one of these trucks in a day. The hard part is getting it back together. My SWB has been apart for 2 years, lol. Also panel alignment can be a pain.

------------------
MOUNT VERNON, WASH. STATE
GOT MY BASES COVERED
-Big and bad 70 CST Blazer
-71 K5 Blazer, 350, 4spd, 2" lift, 35" BFG mudders, Camo,
-Work in progress 72 SWB
-72 Cheyenne, lwb, 1/2 ton, 4x4, V8, 4spd.
-71, 3/4 ton, 402/400, Custom Camper
-69, 2wd, ST6, auto, ghetto lowered, 3/4 ton, LWB, "BOMBER"
-69 Chev. short narrow 4x4
-69 Chev., lwb, utility trailer, 35" tires,
Add or Delete Daily

Blue_71 · 05-05-2002, 10:24 PM

my truck must have been made form a different mold..... so far 8 hours and one stuborn fender left on, one bolt still holding it on, and one wiper holding the cowl on

*Fast68Chevy* · 05-05-2002, 10:56 PM

itsa regional thing, most all of the bolts that hold the inner fender ot the outer never come out, the clip nuts snap and spin free always. taking apart takes forever thanks to this and always have to torch the rad support mounts, the bolts are always trash rotted.
i just slapped together 68 clip from scratch yesterdsay on the 71, newly painted rad support, a 71 gmc left fender a 68 chevy right fender and no inners, hardest part is alignign back edge of fender with door to get gap correct within 1/8", spacer shim at top forward bolt into cowl side,
maje sure doors ar aligned first where you want them before installing fenders. i got mine all set perfect, pass side was harder to do, the fender front end was up to high, large gap at bottom and rad support with new bushings installed tight, so the fornt tip of fender was down as far as it could go without more mods, used a 69-72 bushing kit so theres some of the problem right there. 67 68 bushings not as tall as 69-up ones.
oh well..

easycake, Harry Bradley did well

good luck

------------------
Randy- Lincoln, IL
randy@ccaonline.com 2177353230
*many GM parts bought, traded, or sold -am parting out: '81 Cutlass Supreme Brougham

current fleet: -71 C-10 350/CH465/3.07- basketcase, #1
-90 Cavalier 2.2L sky blue, driver, was free
-84 Z28 5.0L/700R4/3.73 daily driver
-84 Firebird/SE 2.8L/T-5/3.73/engine bad, project #2
-82 purple Trans Am, project #3
*Paint is overrated*
© RSS Enterprises 2000

**Desert Rat** · 05-05-2002, 11:01 PM

I can get a front clip off in one piece real quick,probably because i know where all bolts are and what size,but when it comes to the shims,i baggie eack section and mark to get in right location so im not screwing with alignment.I have worked one of by myself before but would recommend it if you care about scratches.

bobs409 · 05-06-2002, 07:05 AM

I removed the core support too. I completely removed the radiator. You don't want that hanging around to get damaged. When you remove it, put it somewhere that it won't get stepped on. (tip of the day) LOL

Removing the core support wasn't hard as one side was so rotted, it wasn't even fastened anymore! (I didn't even know it until now)

I left the inner fenders attached to the outers as I will only be using 1 of these. Today I have to seperate that one.

One problem area I did find was where the inner fenders attach to the core support. I got one bolt out but no good on the others. Since my inners are shot and I have new ones, I just used a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade and cut them apart.

Now comes the fun; degreasing, sandblasting, grinding, welding, body work, priming, painting, re-assembling, etc, etc. LOL Its gonna be a rough week but I wouldn't have it any other way. LOL

------------------
63 Impala*66 Chevelle SS*69 Chevelle*69 C10 Stepside*71 Cheyenne 20*72 Chevelle

Parts for sale:
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/mr409/items4sale.html

05-05-2002, 08:19 PM	#4
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	2 people 20 min no air tools and 1 beer break It took almost as long to take the cowl off afterward. ------------------ Deland does Chevys 68Chevy panel(LIZ) "A man and his truck,it's a beautiful thing" "I have the body of a god,unfortunately it's Budda" __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

05-05-2002, 08:59 PM	#5
LeRoy Registered truck nut Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mt. Vernon, Washington, USA Posts: 1,584	If the bolts weren't sometimes rusted solid. I could completely dissasemble one of these trucks in a day. The hard part is getting it back together. My SWB has been apart for 2 years, lol. Also panel alignment can be a pain. ------------------ MOUNT VERNON, WASH. STATE GOT MY BASES COVERED -Big and bad 70 CST Blazer -71 K5 Blazer, 350, 4spd, 2" lift, 35" BFG mudders, Camo, -Work in progress 72 SWB -72 Cheyenne, lwb, 1/2 ton, 4x4, V8, 4spd. -71, 3/4 ton, 402/400, Custom Camper -69, 2wd, ST6, auto, ghetto lowered, 3/4 ton, LWB, "BOMBER" -69 Chev. short narrow 4x4 -69 Chev., lwb, utility trailer, 35" tires, Add or Delete Daily __________________ MOUNT VERNON, WASH. STATE Need a part? Just PM me

05-06-2002, 07:05 AM	#9
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	I removed the core support too. I completely removed the radiator. You don't want that hanging around to get damaged. When you remove it, put it somewhere that it won't get stepped on. (tip of the day) LOL Removing the core support wasn't hard as one side was so rotted, it wasn't even fastened anymore! (I didn't even know it until now) I left the inner fenders attached to the outers as I will only be using 1 of these. Today I have to seperate that one. One problem area I did find was where the inner fenders attach to the core support. I got one bolt out but no good on the others. Since my inners are shot and I have new ones, I just used a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade and cut them apart. Now comes the fun; degreasing, sandblasting, grinding, welding, body work, priming, painting, re-assembling, etc, etc. LOL Its gonna be a rough week but I wouldn't have it any other way. LOL ------------------ 63 Impala66 Chevelle SS69 Chevelle69 C10 Stepside71 Cheyenne 20*72 Chevelle Parts for sale: http://www.angelfire.com/trek/mr409/items4sale.html __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

05-05-2002, 11:27 AM	#1
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	2 1/2 hrs to remove front clip If anyone was wondering how long it takes to remove a front end from one of these trucks, I just did mine and it took me exactly 2 1/2 hours to completely remove the front clip from my '69 stepside. I just love these trucks!!! I think that's pretty fast. They did a good job when they designed these trucks. Almost every bolt came out without much fuss. I love the lower fender bolts. They come out so nice on these trucks unlike the cars of the same era. Now, to label all the bolts and clean up this huge mess! LOL I already miss my "best friend". It's my daily driver. It's not easy tearing apart the truck you love. Guess I'll have to make due driving my '66 & '69 Chevelle until it's back together. (I know, poor baby. LOL) Now to dig out all those shiny new parts I've been squirreling away for the past year! Sure glad I don't have to resuse all those old parts. About all im reusing is the hood, driver fender and inner grill. ------------------ 63 Impala66 Chevelle SS69 Chevelle69 C10 Stepside71 Cheyenne 20*72 Chevelle Parts for sale: http://www.angelfire.com/trek/mr409/items4sale.html __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

05-05-2002, 11:53 AM	#2
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	Thats about right if you took it off piece by piece. If you took it off in one piece and had a little help it is a 20 minute job. Talk about well designed. ------------------ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

05-05-2002, 08:10 PM	#3
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Bob, did you leave the core support on or take it off also? I plan on replacing my core support this summer(going to pick-up the replacement in 2 weeks). If you did what did you do with the radiator? Support it and leave it on or take it off? Let us now how long it takes to put it back together. Tom, 20 minutes for the whole clip, I read the procedure in the chassis manual sounds fairly easy. ------------------ 1970 GMC K25 Custom Chesapeake, VA My 70 GMCor Webshots http://community.webshots.com/user/70gmc __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

05-05-2002, 10:56 PM	#7
Fast68Chevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2000 Location: IL Posts: 0	itsa regional thing, most all of the bolts that hold the inner fender ot the outer never come out, the clip nuts snap and spin free always. taking apart takes forever thanks to this and always have to torch the rad support mounts, the bolts are always trash rotted. i just slapped together 68 clip from scratch yesterdsay on the 71, newly painted rad support, a 71 gmc left fender a 68 chevy right fender and no inners, hardest part is alignign back edge of fender with door to get gap correct within 1/8", spacer shim at top forward bolt into cowl side, maje sure doors ar aligned first where you want them before installing fenders. i got mine all set perfect, pass side was harder to do, the fender front end was up to high, large gap at bottom and rad support with new bushings installed tight, so the fornt tip of fender was down as far as it could go without more mods, used a 69-72 bushing kit so theres some of the problem right there. 67 68 bushings not as tall as 69-up ones. oh well.. easycake, Harry Bradley did well good luck ------------------ Randy- Lincoln, IL randy@ccaonline.com 2177353230 many GM parts bought, traded, or sold -am parting out: '81 Cutlass Supreme Brougham current fleet: -71 C-10 350/CH465/3.07- basketcase, #1 -90 Cavalier 2.2L sky blue, driver, was free -84 Z28 5.0L/700R4/3.73 daily driver -84 Firebird/SE 2.8L/T-5/3.73/engine bad, project #2 -82 purple Trans Am, project #3 Paint is overrated* © RSS Enterprises 2000

05-05-2002, 11:01 PM	#8
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	I can get a front clip off in one piece real quick,probably because i know where all bolts are and what size,but when it comes to the shims,i baggie eack section and mark to get in right location so im not screwing with alignment.I have worked one of by myself before but would recommend it if you care about scratches.



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