47-55.1 Confused on re-assembly of grille

[TX3100Guy]

When I acquired the 1953 truck, the front end was disassembled and in the bed. I'm now in the process of re-fitting everything prior to final assembly and I'm a bit confused as to how these two pieces go together. Admittedly, I purchased a new grille given the condition of the old one and the cost to re-chrome it, so the grille is new. Any help on how these two parts go back together will be appreciated. Photos would help if possible.

[mongocanfly]

The upper baffle sits on top off the grill
There should be J nuts that slide over the holes in the grill..
Then the bolts go thru the baffle into the J nuts

[leegreen]

that is the lower radiator support panel, it bolts to bottom of inner fenders and the grill sits on top of it.

here is a picture off the Internet that might help


Then the hood latch panel sits on top of grill and radiator support. I think mongocanfly mistook your picture for the hood latch panel.

it can be hard to get inner, outer fenders, grill and the upper and lower panels all together. On my truck leaving every bolt loose until all the panels are wrestled into place is necessary

[mongocanfly]

I sure did Lee...good catch...

[TX3100Guy]

Originally Posted by leegreen

that is the lower radiator support panel, it bolts to bottom of inner fenders and the grill sits on top of it.

here is a picture off the Internet that might help
Attachment 2263589

Then the hood latch panel sits on top of grill and radiator support. I think mongocanfly mistook your picture for the hood latch panel.

it can be hard to get inner, outer fenders, grill and the upper and lower panels all together. On my truck leaving every bolt loose until all the panels are wrestled into place is necessary

Thank you that make sense now.

[mr48chev]

It's a lot simpler if you bolt the pan to the radiator support before you put the inner fenders on as the photo that Leegreen posted shows. When fenders and all are in place then you put the grill on.

You have to reach in and around behind the grill to put the two top screws though the holes in the fender to the top bar of the grill on each side. Make sure that before you put the grill on you have the correct screws sorted out to go in those spots and the nut plates if needed in place.

I'm thinking that they usually have a 7/16 head on them. Reaching those spots is and exercise in dexterity.

[TX3100Guy]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

It's a lot simpler if you bolt the pan to the radiator support before you put the inner fenders on as the photo that Leegreen posted shows. When fenders and all are in place then you put the grill on.

You have to reach in and around behind the grill to put the two top screws though the holes in the fender to the top bar of the grill on each side. Make sure that before you put the grill on you have the correct screws sorted out to go in those spots and the nut plates if needed in place.

I'm thinking that they usually have a 7/16 head on them. Reaching those spots is and exercise in dexterity.

Thanks. I'm going to have a few more questions on front end assembly given that it was already disassembled when I acquired it.

I currently have the inner fenders mounted, the radiator support (and radiator in place), and just mounted the part that I inquired about at the top of this thread.

I need to install the fender support brackets that appear to be mounted on the sides of the radiator support/inner fenders.

[mr48chev]

The AD truck puzzle with life size pieces.

I'll guarentee that You will be a long way from the first AD truck owner that takes things apart to put a piece in that you couldn't get in otherwise.

I've got the cab spacing off the stock frame out of the assembly manual and the instructions for adjusting the hood here in this album if you don't have those books. https://app.photobucket.com/u/mr48ch...c-87a31c3a5b15

Most guys have better success by putting the hood on first and adjusting it to the cab and then the fenders to the hood than putting the fender on first. In that comes down to pesonal choice of how you assemble it.