Driver's Inner Fender Brace

[Rich72C10]

I have discovered that there should be a brace on the Driver's side inner fender. I have the screw holes and nuts are under the inner fender. Though the spacing of the holes seem different between the two ends.

GMC Paul's lists the brace but I am not sure the holes are offset and they haven't any idea's on the type of bolt.

What type of bolts and thoughts about the hole spacing?

The yellow are the holes with nuts under (the X is just a hole, no nut under it).

Edit:
For new readers that stumble on this post, if you happen to have a hole pattern on your LH inner fender like the attached photo (two closest to the front of the truck) ... sorry they are wrong and the GM reinforcement brace/bracket will not screw down unless to do some kind of drilling.

[TxGary]

Those holes measure 2" center to center on the braces and inner fenders that I have.

[Already Gone]

Dont know if this helps or not but here is the brace attached.

[Rich72C10]

thanks but its the one closest to the firewall I think the spacing seems odd (different) on mine.

Plus what are the correct bolts... odd GMC Pauls doesn't know.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by Rich72C10

thanks but its the one closest to the firewall I think the spacing seems odd (different) on mine.

Plus what are the correct bolts... odd GMC Pauls doesn't know.

I pulled the inner fenders etc when re did the engine bay but kept the bolts with the brace when removed. I always get box of baggies and when removing bolts etc. put em in a bag and mark where where they came from.

[Rich72C10]

I agree and I do the same but my truck didn't come with the brace/bolts :-)

[TxGary]

Bolts are 5/16 x 7/8

[Rich72C10]

That's the same bolt for attaching the inner to the outer fender (5/16-18X7/8) - right?

Why would GMC Paul's say they didn't know / didn't carry the brace bolts... kind of confused LOL

[TxGary]

That is the same bolt. Could be a 3/4 in length. I replaced all mine when putting it back together. Bought them from one of the venders.

[TxGary]

Bought mine from the truck shop. Orange CA.

[mr.mud1]

Richard,you're on the right track,those bolts are black oxide,5/16's with the washer on.i cleaned a million bolts on my truck then bought new ones as the black oxide was pretty well gone.i have lots here,if you need a handful,i can mail them to you,no problem at all.i just emailed you a picture of mine.all the best.Greg

[Rich72C10]

Originally Posted by mr.mud1

Richard,you're on the right track,those bolts are black oxide,5/16's with the washer on.i cleaned a million bolts on my truck then bought new ones as the black oxide was pretty well gone.i have lots here,if you need a handful,i can mail them to you,no problem at all.i just emailed you a picture of mine.all the best.Greg

Thanks, got the email. I'm going to hold off on worrying about bolts until I figure out what to do for a brace. :-)

[Rich72C10]

GMC Paul's emailed me again:

Hi, Richard
Spoke with Paul Jr at the warehouse and he thought they were 5/16" X 7/8" body bolts. So he double checked and pulled the braces off 2 separate trucks we have at the warehouse and both used all 5/16"X 7/8" body bolts holding the inner fender braces in place. We do offer those

:-)

[PbFut]

You can also get the bolts off Amazon. Chinese make and oxide is thin but it matches my unrestored deep cleaned truck very well. Can get with and without the washer in bags of 50 for 18 bucks

[Rich72C10]

Thank for all the help, now need to find the brace...

Though I think for whatever reason I'll have to deal the the holes closer to the firewall... I have a feeling that middle one where I have the "red X" on the hole (with no nut underneath) is the one of the three I need to use.

[TxGary]

Richard I have a brace if you need one.

[Rich72C10]

PM sent

['68OrangeSunshine]

A length of 1/2'' angle iron will work.

[Rich72C10]

Originally Posted by TxGary

Richard I have a brace if you need one.

Got it in today Gary, thank you!

Though something is dodgy with my driver's inner fender. The rear holes (up by the firewall) match up but the forward holes on the inner fender do not at all. Perhaps my fender isn't a real GM part.

Looks like I'll have to drill out some holes on the brace

[mr.mud1]

Hi Richard.how far off are the bolt holes?is the inner fender bent?as you know that braced only fits one way. There is a top and front.

[Rich72C10]

When I first posted my question on the hole spacing I was actually worried about the rear holes (as there was a extra hole in the middle). But it is the forward holes that are close together that is the problem.

The rear's line up to the brace and neither of the front ones will line up to the brace. I am pretty sure I have it alined properly. I can see the previous washer witness marks and looked at other posts that had photos.

Here is a photo of what I am taking about, the rears are pretty much lined up.

Looked all around and it seems my fender is very much like this TriPlus LH Front Fender.

[D.B]

Richard, I went out on my 72 C20 and measured the bolt hole distance and both ends were 2" center to center. The back one did have three holes, but the brace only used the two outer holes. The center hole was not used.

[Rich72C10]

Ya, I just have poopy repop'ed inner fenders - it is what it is. Just a shame to fudge up a original LH front inner fender brace.

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by Rich72C10

Ya, I just have poopy repop'ed inner fenders - it is what it is. Just a shame to fudge up a original LH front inner fender brace.

Don't drill holes in the brace.. The unused holes in the brace will show.. Drill the panel, the brace will hide the unused holes.........

[Rich72C10]

I could do that with the inner, its clear under it. The outer hole just touches the existing hole, which has a nut under it. So I'd have to enlarge that outer hole on the brace, though most of the enlarged hole would likely be hidden by the bolt's washer (I think).

Edit:
Here is a mark up where I'd need to drill the fender, I doubt I'd be able to get that mounted nut out of the way. I suppose I'll give it a try or use one bolt.

Edit Option 3:
Don't drill the brace or the fenders and do what @68OrangeSunshine suggests (and suggested by my brother a bit ago after telling him my "problem".

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

A length of 1/2'' angle iron will work.