Dropped trucks and the "front fender issue" - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

XXL · 03-06-2003, 12:39 AM

For those of you with bagged trucks, you are probably aware of the front fender clearance problem (where it hits the tires when dumped)...

I did some staring at my truck earlier this evening and it seems like you might be able to clearance the arc in the fender sheetmetal by 2+ inches. Notice that there's a small hole in the hood hinge bracket just forward of the rear mounting bolt. Maybe you could drill that out to the appropriate size, properly gusset it on the rear, and use that as another mounting hole for the hinge. Then remove the bottom mounting bolt altogether. That would let you trim up the sheetmetal to at least the bottom edge of the hinge, and possibly up into the hinge 1/2" or so without impacting functionality of the mechanism or weakening it. Then you could roll a new lip into the bottom of the fender cutout area and gain some more room. Does this make sense? Or should I go to bed and get some sleep??

Kenneth

NSANE68!!! · 03-06-2003, 11:09 AM

I already trimmed my fenders up to the hinge. I thought about the same thing on the hinge to get an extra inch. I have no tire hitting. My tires are 27" tall and I currently have about 1.25" of clearance. I can roll full down I just have no turning radius.
Thinking of shorting the lower and upper control arm by an 1" for turning. I seen it in Streetrucks, the guys at IF did it on the BURB.

My only concern with the hinges is when you get into a Body drop, with just the normal setup like mine and yours it doesn't seem to be a problem.

sneakysnake · 03-06-2003, 11:27 AM

When you cut the frame for a body drop, do you also Z the front
for the core support so all the sheet metal lines up? and what clearance problems does that create ? radiator,air cleaner.
You never see pics of the front, allways of the rear?

SCOTI · 03-06-2003, 03:05 PM

XXL, I've got a set of wheelwells cut up trying to resolve this. I'm trying to remove a 2-3" horizontal section out of the center of the inner fender structure, then raise the top of the wheel tub, but leaving it bolted up just like stock. This will require some trimming of the hinge itself. I'll keep the bottom of the wheel tub bolted in it's stock location as well & try & piece the rest back together w/spare, cut-up, wheel tub pieces. My lower a-arms are already narrowed about 3/4" each side so the uppers don't require as much shimming to align.

My buddies are trying to get me to just build some new ones from scratch w/a different hood hinge assembly, but I don't think 'new' ones would blend w/my traditional look under the hood as well as modified stockers.

70 Jimmy · 03-06-2003, 03:22 PM

Someone on the board is using mid 80's dodge truck hinges that mount to the firewall. That would make clearencing the inner fenders easy. Wouldn't it?

SCOTI · 03-06-2003, 06:03 PM

That may work but I spent a bunch of time smoothing all my firewall so I'm not sure how some hinge plates bolted on would look. I think it was lotiks truck that had the Dodge hinges but I haven't seen pics up close enough to decide one way or the other.

RACING29 · 03-06-2003, 06:52 PM

CAn you run 20"s with bags? Will they hit the hinges? THANKS

SCOTI · 03-06-2003, 08:02 PM

It just depends on how low you go & the final tire height.

XXL · 03-06-2003, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sneakysnake

69 cab 41/2" chop
67 frontclip(tilt) swb step(tilt)
71 ps db 5 lug
83 350 4bolt th-400
72 tilt,a/c,pl,pw, shortbkblz seats w/consol shavedhandles,frenched ant (gasneck)
78 camaro shark gills
78 monte carlo head lights
68 impala rear bumper

It sounds like you need to post some pics of this thing! I'd especially like to see the cab chop and tilt.

Kenneth

crazy longhorn · 03-06-2003, 08:57 PM

Chops & tilts go together!.....here you go XXL http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn

>X< · 03-06-2003, 09:15 PM

sneakysnake, please post some pics!

lotik · 03-06-2003, 09:20 PM

i have a couple answers. get a tilt front end/hood, or get some different hinges like i did. mine are from a dodge. they make some billet ones. they just need to be firewall mounted.

XXL · 03-06-2003, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by crazy longhorn
Chops & tilts go together!.....here you go XXL http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn

Man, I've looked at your pics so many times, they're burned into my monitor!

Kenneth

crazy longhorn · 03-06-2003, 09:37 PM

LMAO! XXL, I have burn marks in my soul from that old truck!(a few on me skin too)

crazyL

SCOTI · 03-06-2003, 09:47 PM

Lotik, could you see if you've got any close-up shots of those hood hinges + how they're mounted & post them if possible. Thanks, Scot

RACING29 · 03-07-2003, 12:14 AM

I talked to TURNER ENTERPRISES today and he said he had a kit to get my truck to lay the pinch weld?!?! I'm going to talk to him more tommorow.

sneakysnake · 03-07-2003, 12:02 PM

seanh71, at the moment i dont have a digital camera, but sense I
have found this board it has created a real bad itch to uncover my truck blow the dust off . marriage,kids, divorces take there toll
on a project., but i have a new found enthusiasim, Ill try to beg,borrow or buy a camera and post some pics so keep a look out.

>X< · 03-07-2003, 04:59 PM

hey man, if you buy one look in to the Intel cheapo, it came with my comp but thy are only like 90 bucks, and store like 200 pics, the stuff you take pics of has to be still though

03-06-2003, 12:39 AM	#1
XXL Señor Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edge of the world Posts: 5,367	Dropped trucks and the "front fender issue" For those of you with bagged trucks, you are probably aware of the front fender clearance problem (where it hits the tires when dumped)... I did some staring at my truck earlier this evening and it seems like you might be able to clearance the arc in the fender sheetmetal by 2+ inches. Notice that there's a small hole in the hood hinge bracket just forward of the rear mounting bolt. Maybe you could drill that out to the appropriate size, properly gusset it on the rear, and use that as another mounting hole for the hinge. Then remove the bottom mounting bolt altogether. That would let you trim up the sheetmetal to at least the bottom edge of the hinge, and possibly up into the hinge 1/2" or so without impacting functionality of the mechanism or weakening it. Then you could roll a new lip into the bottom of the fender cutout area and gain some more room. Does this make sense? Or should I go to bed and get some sleep?? Kenneth __________________ Craigslist \| ebay \| Engrishtees \| www.myattitudesucks.com \| Follow me on Twitter

03-06-2003, 11:09 AM	#2
NSANE68!!! SLICER AND DICIER Join Date: May 2001 Location: Quuen Creek Posts: 1,383	I already trimmed my fenders up to the hinge. I thought about the same thing on the hinge to get an extra inch. I have no tire hitting. My tires are 27" tall and I currently have about 1.25" of clearance. I can roll full down I just have no turning radius. Thinking of shorting the lower and upper control arm by an 1" for turning. I seen it in Streetrucks, the guys at IF did it on the BURB. My only concern with the hinges is when you get into a Body drop, with just the normal setup like mine and yours it doesn't seem to be a problem. __________________ 01 Tahoe 22's 2/4 drop and tv's 68 chevy money pit 51 chevy belair 95 Honda 900RR 05 GMC Siearra (company truck)

03-06-2003, 03:05 PM	#4
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	XXL, I've got a set of wheelwells cut up trying to resolve this. I'm trying to remove a 2-3" horizontal section out of the center of the inner fender structure, then raise the top of the wheel tub, but leaving it bolted up just like stock. This will require some trimming of the hinge itself. I'll keep the bottom of the wheel tub bolted in it's stock location as well & try & piece the rest back together w/spare, cut-up, wheel tub pieces. My lower a-arms are already narrowed about 3/4" each side so the uppers don't require as much shimming to align. My buddies are trying to get me to just build some new ones from scratch w/a different hood hinge assembly, but I don't think 'new' ones would blend w/my traditional look under the hood as well as modified stockers. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

03-06-2003, 03:22 PM	#5
70 Jimmy aka Crusher, Crushergmc Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,834	Someone on the board is using mid 80's dodge truck hinges that mount to the firewall. That would make clearencing the inner fenders easy. Wouldn't it? __________________ "KEEP IT DOWN!" 70 Jimmy 454 2wd 56 GMC Big Window "It's funny till someone gets hurt, then it's freakin' hilarious"

03-06-2003, 06:03 PM	#6
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	That may work but I spent a bunch of time smoothing all my firewall so I'm not sure how some hinge plates bolted on would look. I think it was lotiks truck that had the Dodge hinges but I haven't seen pics up close enough to decide one way or the other. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

03-06-2003, 11:27 AM	#3
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	When you cut the frame for a body drop, do you also Z the front for the core support so all the sheet metal lines up? and what clearance problems does that create ? radiator,air cleaner. You never see pics of the front, allways of the rear?

03-06-2003, 06:52 PM	#7
RACING29 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Tennessee, Morristown Posts: 355	CAn you run 20"s with bags? Will they hit the hinges? THANKS __________________ 1967 Chevy truck, R1 racing seats, 4 point racing harness, 4/6 drop, primered blue, soon to be shaved, 350- 060. over, flat top pistons, Eagle rods, Edelbrock Aluminum heads, 1.5 Scorpion roller rockers, Lunati 515" cam, mallory ignition, Holley 750 double pumper carb, Built 350 turbo trans, 2500-2800 boss hog stall, 20 gallon aluminum fuel cell!!!

03-06-2003, 08:02 PM	#8
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	It just depends on how low you go & the final tire height. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

03-06-2003, 08:57 PM	#10
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Chops & tilts go together!.....here you go XXL http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn

03-06-2003, 09:15 PM	#11
>X< registered IWATA user Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 4,481	sneakysnake, please post some pics! __________________ -'63 Ford Fairlane 500 coupe, v8, auto, faded and rusty. awaiting built roller 302 and some flat black -'99 Honda Prelude. vtech/5spd. no pipe, no intake, bone stock. awaiting new top end. -01 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3 dented and scratched with a noisy tranny. Take off that Von Dutch hat before i stab you with a 000 Mack.

03-06-2003, 09:20 PM	#12
lotik drag it like you stole it Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 542	i have a couple answers. get a tilt front end/hood, or get some different hinges like i did. mine are from a dodge. they make some billet ones. they just need to be firewall mounted. __________________ negative camber //LA\\

03-06-2003, 09:37 PM	#14
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	LMAO! XXL, I have burn marks in my soul from that old truck!(a few on me skin too) crazyL

03-06-2003, 09:47 PM	#15
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	Lotik, could you see if you've got any close-up shots of those hood hinges + how they're mounted & post them if possible. Thanks, Scot __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

03-07-2003, 12:14 AM	#16
RACING29 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Tennessee, Morristown Posts: 355	I talked to TURNER ENTERPRISES today and he said he had a kit to get my truck to lay the pinch weld?!?! I'm going to talk to him more tommorow. __________________ 1967 Chevy truck, R1 racing seats, 4 point racing harness, 4/6 drop, primered blue, soon to be shaved, 350- 060. over, flat top pistons, Eagle rods, Edelbrock Aluminum heads, 1.5 Scorpion roller rockers, Lunati 515" cam, mallory ignition, Holley 750 double pumper carb, Built 350 turbo trans, 2500-2800 boss hog stall, 20 gallon aluminum fuel cell!!!

03-07-2003, 12:02 PM	#17
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	seanh71, at the moment i dont have a digital camera, but sense I have found this board it has created a real bad itch to uncover my truck blow the dust off . marriage,kids, divorces take there toll on a project., but i have a new found enthusiasim, Ill try to beg,borrow or buy a camera and post some pics so keep a look out.



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03-07-2003, 04:59 PM	#18
>X< registered IWATA user Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 4,481	hey man, if you buy one look in to the Intel cheapo, it came with my comp but thy are only like 90 bucks, and store like 200 pics, the stuff you take pics of has to be still though __________________ -'63 Ford Fairlane 500 coupe, v8, auto, faded and rusty. awaiting built roller 302 and some flat black -'99 Honda Prelude. vtech/5spd. no pipe, no intake, bone stock. awaiting new top end. -01 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3 dented and scratched with a noisy tranny. Take off that Von Dutch hat before i stab you with a 000 Mack.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.