Battling front guard/inner guard fit up.... Help!

[Billhilly]

Doing final (final!) panel alignment and after some help/advice.
Repro front guards/OE inners that had some rust repair done to the 'upper' mounting holes. Thought I was ready for dismantle/paint but the back edges of the front guards (see pic) ended up 'tucked in'.
Removed inner guard, and I can man handle the guard into line. As I start to fit up the inner guard, and fit the bolts it pulls back in again. Haven't fitted the one bolt at the back/bottom edge. That would only make it worse....
So any one come across this sort of deal?
Where the two upper bolts that bolt into the main guard are, there is a gap of at least 3/4". Did the factory shim this connection?? The big square hole/cab gusset was shimmed if necessary correct?
Any thoughts guys? (Oh, I did search, couldn't find anything)

[chiefcfd]

Yes you will need to use shims. Remember 40 years ago panel gaps were not as tight as they are now. The tolerances were greater especially for trucks. And aftermarket parts are all different. It takes a lot of patience to get these gaps consistent. Don't give up and Good Luck!

[Billhilly]

Thanks Chief, I'm going out to do battle again.... The shims will fix the fit up issue up top. Not sure on the back edge!
Slightly distracted, Cricket World Cup, NZ vs OZ, it's important I yell at the TV!

[Billhilly]

TTT for the Sunday crowd. I'm not really winning with this.
I was wondering if there was an assembly 'routine'. You know, outer bolts first, then top and rear bolts last?

[FirstOwner69]

Below is a picture of mine. It's an original outer fender and a reproduction inner fender. I believe it's always been that way to some degree, even with the original inners.

[Billhilly]

Thanks for the reply FirstOwner! Must be a Chevy thing huh. Appreciate your time.

[hamjet]

Mine was similar, because it got pushed in and bent the inner fender in. When I unbolted the fender from the inner fender at the area in question I could pull the fender out to where it should be. I had a hard time getting the inner fender pulled out to meet the outer fender, but I did get it... could be bent?

[Billhilly]

Thanks hamjet. My panel guy will drop in tomorrow morning and we'll 'fix' it one way or the other...