1956 front clip removal

[bartsim]

I have a question for those of you that have built these trucks before. I have a 56 chevy truck and want to remove the cab and front clip as one unit. I thought I would unbolt the front cross member and the cab support the front with a strap and hoist the whole thing up in one piece. I don't know if this will work or not any ideas?
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[OrrieG]

I do not think you can remove them together, the front of the clip with the radiator weighs to much and will buckle the fenders and inner fenders. The clip is only held on with 8 bolts, the lighting harness which unplugs and the radiator hoses. You have to disconnect almost all of it to get it off the frame, six more bolts and you can lift it off separately.

[_Ogre]

i'm with orrieg on this
i think you risk serious metal damage if you lift it as a unit
you'd have to disassemble it all to get it back on anyway

[bartsim]

Thanks...thats kind of what i thought. The truck is a 6400 and i would think those fenders a impossible to find if i damaged them. Is it ok to pull the front clip as one unit (fenders and crossmember all in one piece). I am trying to avoid all the alignment issues. if i support the rear of the fenders it seems like it would save some time. I am going to leave the patina on the truck so taking it apart is not necessary. I just want to do the frame and suspension and would like to keep the rest as is. Your thoughts are appreciated .

[bartsim]

THANKS. I am glad i didn't try it.