The Ford Barn

drfromnc · 06-21-2023, 08:50 PM

Looking for some advice on front end mock-up assembly steps in regards to installing front fenders, grill shell, grill apron and headlight bar once I get my cab back and mounted to frame. My rolling chassis is already done including drivetrain with radiator and rad hoses. Would the steps be grill shell, fenders, then apron, then headlight bar? I’m not running hood or hood sides.

DavidG · 06-21-2023, 09:04 PM

As you list with the option of installing the grille shell after the front fenders.

Tighten no fasteners until all of the parts that you cite, plus those for the front fender support brackets, are in place and then progressively tighten them to achieve symmetry of the fenders and headlamps relative to the grille shell.

P.S. Ford stopped using the English "grill" spelling after the '32 models and thereafter they adopted the more elegant French spelling, "grille".

drfromnc · 06-21-2023, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidG

As you list with the option of installing the grille shell after the front fenders.

Tighten no fasteners until all of the parts that you cite, plus those for the front fender support brackets, are in place and then progressively tighten them to achieve symmetry of the fenders and headlamps relative to the grille shell.

P.S. Ford stopped using the English "grill" spelling after the '32 models and thereafter they adopted the more elegant French spelling, "grille".

Thanks DavidG. Got it including “grille” not “grill”.

Flathead Fever · 06-22-2023, 09:25 PM

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Good question. You will see a lot of those headlight bar mount holes in the fenders enlarged, sometimes even a second set of new holes next to the originals because the headlight bar was off by that much. That is because somebody bolted the fenders down tight first and then tried to install the bar. David is absolutely correct, do not tighten any of that the sheet metal or their brackets until "all" the bolts are started and then work your way back and forth a little at a time stretching everything into place.

06-21-2023, 08:50 PM	#1
drfromnc Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Smithfield, NC Posts: 260	34 pu fenders, grill shell and apron assembly Looking for some advice on front end mock-up assembly steps in regards to installing front fenders, grill shell, grill apron and headlight bar once I get my cab back and mounted to frame. My rolling chassis is already done including drivetrain with radiator and rad hoses. Would the steps be grill shell, fenders, then apron, then headlight bar? I’m not running hood or hood sides.

06-21-2023, 09:04 PM	#2
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,127	Re: 34 pu fenders, grill shell and apron assembly As you list with the option of installing the grille shell after the front fenders. Tighten no fasteners until all of the parts that you cite, plus those for the front fender support brackets, are in place and then progressively tighten them to achieve symmetry of the fenders and headlamps relative to the grille shell. P.S. Ford stopped using the English "grill" spelling after the '32 models and thereafter they adopted the more elegant French spelling, "grille".

06-22-2023, 09:25 PM	#4
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,102	Re: 34 pu fenders, grill shell and apron assembly Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Good question. You will see a lot of those headlight bar mount holes in the fenders enlarged, sometimes even a second set of new holes next to the originals because the headlight bar was off by that much. That is because somebody bolted the fenders down tight first and then tried to install the bar. David is absolutely correct, do not tighten any of that the sheet metal or their brackets until "all" the bolts are started and then work your way back and forth a little at a time stretching everything into place.