47-55.1 52-3100 mock-up before paint

[Mizzou52]

about to mock up cab, hood, fenders and rad support on 52-3100. origional cab aftermarket fenders and hood. Would highly appreciate a sequence or pics please.

[slammed57]

square up the cab on the frame. put the fenders on, then the hood you WILL have to move the fenders and hood to square them all up together and most likey move the cab again to get it all right.....its never ever a one time shot deal... after playing with it for a day or two come back a few days later and you will probably find that where you could of done it a little better and re-adjust...( just in the 2 days you played around with it you tend to get tired of messin with it and settle for what you have ... but a few days later you will come outside and say it can be a little better... ....OH! if you have aftermarket stuff it WILL not line up and cut and weld to get it to look right at least on the 55-57 ...Ask me how I know!

[Mizzou52]

Thanx for the input. Another Question, does the rad mount on fenders first and adjust back to cab or on cab to rad mount? or do think it matters?

[mongocanfly]

Aftermarket.....uhuhhh...oh boy....he's right...don't expect much when you try aligning it...best thing to do 1st is get you a assembly manual....get the hood to fit the cowl 1st..then go from there...

[MARTINSR]

Nothing to even think about, you MUST get the parts trail fit. ALL Parts, but most certainly the reproduction. And I highly recommend you get them trial fit, then remove them, jamb them and put them back on to paint the whole cab and front end as an assy, these are not easy to assemble under the best of circumstances let alone using reproduction parts, that puts it into a whole different world.

Brian

[Shinysideup]

OH boy, I cant begin to type out all you need to do, and have it make sense...

I will state the frontend must be put together as a clip and then set on frame and joined to cab. Leave all bolts loose till everything shifts into place. Fenders/rad support/grill/splash shield all together. It will not fall together easily,you will sometimes need to enlarge a hole etc. Doesnt matter chevy metal or aftermarket. Have patience, walk away and come back fresh if frustrated.

Get one of these!!!

[joedoh]

I started with the core support and installed a left fender with the inner brace to the core first, then to the fender lip. then the right. I put it on the truck as a unit



its the way I like to do the install, easy to get everything lined up and bolted loosely rather than fighting the fenders

[MiraclePieCo]

Here's the assembly sequence I used:

Install the hood on the cowl, springs and all. It's easier to do it first before the fenders are in the way. Leave hood in the up position.
Mount the radiator support loosely onto its frame crossmember. Start out with about 1/4" rubber shims under the feet.
Bolt the inner and outer fenders together OFF THE TRUCK.
Install the inner and outer fenders onto the truck AS A UNIT. It will go lots easier (as I discovered the hard way).
Install the large brackets between the radiator support and the outer edge of the fenders
Install the lower front splash shield. Connect the rods between it and the radiator support.
Install the grille.
Install the hood latch panel between the grille and the radiator support.
Install the radiator.
Install front bumper and valance filler panel.

[Angryman117]

Thanks!

I never thought about bolting the inner and outer fenders on first.