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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Pemberville, Ohio
Posts: 152
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order to assemble front sheet metal?
What's the best way to assemble the front end sheet metal. Everything is off. Start with radiator support, then ???, then ???, then ???
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: strausstown pa
Posts: 3,394
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
Rad support first.
Then each fender bolted on loosely Get the Grill and associated pieces in there. Inner fenders wells. Hood Cowl Then go around and align and snug everything.
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81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love ![]() 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover. |
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada
Posts: 2,476
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
Make sure the doors are properly aligned first but yup what he said.
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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Pemberville, Ohio
Posts: 152
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Marianna Arkansas
Posts: 7,269
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
To put on rockers, the fenders need to be off. I hope I didn't just spit in your oatmeal.[ruin your day] I would hate for you to spend a lot of time putting on the front then have to take it right back off.
By the way to get the front aligned better [or at all] you probably need fresh cab and front mounts. |
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#6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Pemberville, Ohio
Posts: 152
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
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#7 | ||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,940
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
Just start bolting stuff together. You'll immediately figure out what need to go before the other.
Gary
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'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada
Posts: 2,476
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
Once again make sure you have your doors where you like them before making the the rockers permanent. Too many have found out later that their doors won't close. Everything is centered around door fit. I screw and tack everything and assemble of the way to the front to check fit before I weld anything. It's a lot of work but it's the only way to get nice gaps. That includes the hood and cowl panel too.
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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada |
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#9 |
Go Pack Go!
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Green Bay
Posts: 2,669
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
I hope you welded braces into the door opening from front to rear before all that floor and rocker work. The cabs have a tendacy to warp, spread open when that much structure is removed.
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada
Posts: 2,476
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
I found that the outer edge of the B pillar springs back even when they are rusty before you fix them. It results in a bad gap at the back edge of the door. The rocker alignment pays the price too where it meets the B pillar. That kind of error has a domino effect all of the way through all the panel alignment. I made up a lever contraption to realign the B pillar before welding it all back together.
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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Pemberville, Ohio
Posts: 152
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 6,421
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
I was told the front cab bolts have to be out. Is that you guys' experience also?
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#13 | ||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,940
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
I've pulled off a lot of these front clips. Either piece by piece or one whole unit. Never had to remove front cab bolts.
Gary
__________________
'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Pemberville, Ohio
Posts: 152
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
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#15 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Falls City, Nebraska "100 Miles From Nowhere"
Posts: 2,219
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
You do not have to pull the cab support bolts! But you do want to have them loose, front and rear especially if you've replaced the floor pan(s). Bolts stuck but loose, same way with the radiator support bolts, leave them loose until you've fitted the fenders, inner fenders and doors. Keep in mind the further back your cab is located the tighter the gap to the bed, thats a good thing. You also leave plenty of relief for the fenders and doors by leaving the cab support bolts loose. Hopefully you've replaced or still have solid cab supports and support bushings so bed alingment will be good when it goes on. Before you tighten the fender bolts to the radiator support, make sure your width is good for the hood, a little at a time front to rear. Tight hinges with good strong springs are key to fitting the hood correctly. Dont be afraid to use body washers at the rear of the fenders, door hinges and strikers, and the cowl to get a good final fit up and keep track of where washers are used if you haven't done so already...~Ghostrider~
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Loranger, LA.
Posts: 51
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
I have a bare frame not sure where to start with mine suspension so I ca roll it around or cab and motor and wiring?
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#17 |
I am a Referee of life.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Greensboro N.C.
Posts: 13,993
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Re: order to assemble front sheet metal?
Suspension first so you can get everything, Then motor, cab and the rest.
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