Front end removal/installation advice

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

I have bought all of the necessary original GM parts to rebuild the front end of my 67 GMC 1 ton, and I have a question. I was going to remove the existing rusted/dented front end with my chain hoist, then remove the wheel wells from that assembly.
Using these removed wheel wells, I was going to build the new front end with the 67 fenders, the 68 Chevrolet hood, and the 72 GMC radiator core support by assembling them together off of the truck.
Then I was going to attach the new front end to my chain hoist, raise, then lower it onto my 67, then attach it.
But the parts seller warned me that it is very hard to do it this way and make it fit right. He suggested that I build the new front end onto the truck one piece at a time so that the parts fit better.
Any thoughts from the experts?

[raggedjim]

I've done it both ways and always had better luck one piece at a time. I usually go radiator surround (leave loose), fenders (align to doors), Tighten back of fenders, leave front bolts to surround loose, grill, hood-latch, then start tightening every thing down watching all the alignments. Once the fenders, surround, and grill are all in and tight go to the hood. I usually add the inner fenders last, but some people don't. Inner fenders are easier if the wheels are off.

IF the front was already assembled on a truck and removed as a unit it will usually go back on fairly easy, but trying to assemble one off the truck and then add as a unit is an exercise in futility...

Good luck, Rg

[HO455]

I'm no expert but I agree with raggedjim above. I would add: Check the door alignment to the cab first.
Once again I am not an expert but I was under the impression that you needed to use a 67-68 core support with 67-68 fenders. Or is that a Chevy only thing?

[Andy4639]

I don't think you can do this with what you have.

I'm pretty sure you need a 67-68 radiator support to use the 67 fenders and hood. The 72 support want work with the early fenders and hood.
I'm not 100% on this but looking at old post it's a mix of yes and no's.
As far as putting them all together I wouldn't try it like that either.
1 piece at a time is the better way.

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

I don't think you can do this with what you have.

I'm pretty sure you need a 67-68 radiator support to use the 67 fenders and hood. The 72 support want work with the early fenders and hood.
I'm not 100% on this but looking at old post it's a mix of yes and no's.
As far as putting them all together I wouldn't try it like that either.
1 piece at a time is the better way.

From my research, the 72 core support is almost the same as 67-68s except that it lacks the six holes for the splash pan (which I can remedy with self-tapping screws). The 72 grill I have has a top piece (that I will remove) that will be replaced with the 67 top grill support piece. All of these pieces look like they will all fit together, but time will tell!

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by HIGHWAY BY THE SEA

From my research, the 72 core support is almost the same as 67-68s except that it lacks the six holes for the splash pan (which I can remedy with self-tapping screws). The 72 grill I have has a top piece (that I will remove) that will be replaced with the 67 top grill support piece. All of these pieces look like they will all fit together, but time will tell!

This is correct, you should be good to go. You will need the 67-68 gmc hood latch (but you should already have it with your truck.)

Rg