Reassembly starts today! Your thoughts?

[In The Ten Ring]

I am so very happy! Getting started today, assuming my neighbor can get over to help hold the parts.

In this order:

1). Core support
2). Right front fender
3). Left front fender.
4). Cowl
5). Make sure everything lines up before tightening down.
6). Hood.
7). Grill
8). Front bumper.
9). Hook up front lights.
10). Inner fenders.
11). Radiator.

I have a body shim kit from Jegs.

I will probably reuse most of my original bolts, I have a front bolt kit from Classic Industries for replacements. I have a torque wrench for the core support bolts and an assembly manual.

On the hood though, do I put the springs onto the hinges first and then mount or do I put the hood hinges on first and then put the springs onto the hinges?

[RodnRudy]

I placed my hinges in a vice and used a a vice grip plier to pull the springs on the hinges.

[midniteblues]

I would install the springs first.

There a few ways to do it.
I used a heavy ratchet strap secured too my bench too install them. I painted the springs this way too.

A cherry picker, old bumper jack are a few that comes too mind.

Don't torque anything till you get the hood on and lined up. Just snug everything up then once it all fits good then go back and torque your fasteners.

Your sequence sounds good.
I really didn't need help till I needed the hood on.

It don't hurt too use tape or card board too help with scratches.

I put the core support in place and put the pads and bolts on loosely then put a fender on too help keep it uprite.

I'm not sure on your set up but I had too put the fan shroud in first then the rad. I had the fan already on the motor as it just easier to tighten it up that way.

[mike16]

be carefull to alighn everthing and then tighten it all up snugging it up a little here and a little there.

then

take a deep breath and install the hood latch

sometimes it seems to fall perfectly into place..... other times it bolts right up, you close the hood and then you need a cutting tourch to get it open again.

take your time on the hood latch, too loose can be adjusted further; too tight and......

take your time. if the latch and other sheet metal are origonal to each other and the truck your ahead of the game but be careful slow and make small incremental adjustments on that @#(&% latch.

[HO455]

The only thing I could add to all this is check the door gaps and body lines first, If your satisfied go for it, if not then set them first.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I find it's easier to pull the springs first, still on the truck, than dealing with a sprung hinge. I hook a loop of 1'' tubular webbing [2',6'' - 3']' on the spring end, and step off the bumper, holding the other end of the loop using my body weight to stretch the spring. A little swing inboard and it's clear. Same move in reverse to reinstall the spring.