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#1242745 11/09/2017 7:57 PM
Joined: Oct 2015
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M
Wrench Fetcher
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Is there a sequence to follow for the assembly of the front sheet metal. The parts are painted and ready to put on my 1955 1st series gmc 100. What has been your experience?
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Bolter
Bolter
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,442
Put the sheet metal together off the truck. Get a couple of buddies to help you hang the clip on. Leave the nuts/bolts loose so you can tweek and align after hung. Be patient and take your time.🛠


Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
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M
Wrench Fetcher
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Thanks for the input, Would you do the grille and the radiator at the same time?

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Bolter
Bolter
Joined: Apr 2005
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Personally no but I’m sure some do.


Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)

Joined: May 2015
Posts: 9,830
Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums
Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 9,830
Originally Posted by mike383940
Thanks for the input, Would you do the grille and the radiator at the same time?
Grille - yes
Radiator - No. Just extra weight when you're putting it on.

I just removed the front clip from mine with radiator. Used an engine hoist so weight wasn't an issue, but putting it back on and not damaging the paint is another story. Any extra weight, especially when manhandling it would be detrimental, IMO. The grille looks like a bugger to get at the fasteners, so off the truck should make that easier. GMC might be easier vs. Chevy, but that's your choice.


Kevin
1951 Chevy 3100 work truck
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1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car)
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Originally Posted by mike383940
Is there a sequence to follow for the assembly of the front sheet metal. The parts are painted and ready to put on my 1955 1st series gmc 100. What has been your experience?

Looks like I am just a bit ahead of you. I am assembling mine one piece at a time. First upper latch panel, then inner fenders, then lower valance panel, then fenders is how I am doing it. I think there would be a lot of fiddling and frustration doing it in one piece to line all the holes up.


NHluvstruck...
1951 3100 5-window
https://stonefacegarage.wixsite.com/mysite
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J
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
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I'll be following this, as I just posted a similar question and the mods moved it here before I'd read yours. Let us know how it goes and the technique that works.

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,168
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Fox Offline
A teacher, but always an apprentice.
A teacher, but always an apprentice.
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I've found on my gmc (53) that the grile is easy enough to install and remove. 8 bolts I believe. A Chevy grille on the other hand....yeesh, not so much. If you're hanging the whole clip remove the front tires and put frame on stands. It gives you so much more room to lift. I know back muscles are important to anyone who likes to move about!
Once i get wired up and fuel system completed I will be installing be whole clip in one shot.

Last edited by Fox; 11/22/2017 4:05 AM.

1970 Chevrolet C10
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1951 GMC 9430 1 ton dually--Shiny! | 1972 Chevrolet C20- Rusty- the puzzle box lid for the C10 | 1962 AMC Rambler American- my wife's
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Shop Shark
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I figured one piece at a time was the way to go but what do I know. smile


1950 SUBURBAN / SCHOOL BUS A.K.A "THE SCHOOL RUST"
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5
Renaissance Man
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The best way to figure out which way is the best is do it before it is in final paint so you don't 'learn' the hard way with butchered up new paint.


1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission

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