The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Inner Fenders

Hey all,
I've been contemplating a plethora of changes to my 1954 3600 recently to make it more of the kind of truck i want to drive. Some of these involve sheetmetal, specifically the front end.
So, my question is are the inner fenders the same between the 'big bolts' and the 'small' bolts?

To be more specific I'm looking to replace the front hood, fenders, grille on my 3/4 with stuff from a 1.5+
I know the cabs are all the same etc but curious if my original inner fenders will work with the new front end 'big bolt' sheetmetal?
Im kinda thinking the answer is no, and that i need 'big bolt' inner fenders/braces as well but figured this was the place to ask before i spent any $$ and ended up missing parts.

Thanks in advance,

Chooglin

Chooglin,

Your inclination is correct. The big bolts, 1.5 on up have a bigger, hood, fenders and inner fenders. You also correct, when you say the cab is the same size. Good luck with your restoration.

Rugo

Thanks Rugo thats was my suspicion. If the outer fenders were larger the inners would be too.
Im going to look at some big bolt sheetmetal tomorrow and wanted to make sure i knew about everything id need to be looking for.

With the cabs being standard there shouldnt really be any other fitment issues i need to think about is there?
Both inner and outer fenders should mount to the cab fine, just like my current 3/4 ones do, but how about the radiator surround area? I know the 'big bolts' had larger radiators generally, do i need all the mount bracketry on the front (around/for the radiator) then too? Radiator to cab support rods? Upper grille valance (the part with the hood latch)? Are the hood hinges larger? Am i forgetting anything?

If it simplifies things my long term goal is a (moderate use) 4x4 setup, probably with a 350 over a narrowed D44 to keep things simple, so id like to get the larger wheel well openings the 'big bolts' have for tire/suspension clearance etc.

Thanks

Chooglin

Are the inner fenders also different?

Would someone please post a link the page in the Master Parts Book that gives the codes (part numbers)?
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/parts/1929_54/index.htm

Looks like all the inner fenders on the commercial trucks 3100 on up are the same, except COEs, that cant be right.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/1929_57chevyparts/57cmpc0625.htm

sstock,

I happen to have the luxury of having a couple of the master parts catalogs. Both of them have the inner fenders listed on two pages. It starts on one page and carries over to the next. I suspect that is what is going on with the one that you posted. Unfortunately, you have no way of knowing that, if you are looking at a web site, with page that has been copied and pasted to. There are two different part numbers listed for both Commercial and Utility sized trucks. Here's how they are listed.

47-53 All Comm left, front 3683075
47-53 All Comm right, front 3683076


47-53 All Utility left, front 3683081
47-53 All Utility right, front 3683082


54-55 Have different part number

Just for good measure, I asked a friend that has both a half ton and big trucks. He measured both of them for us. The half ton inner fender measures 44 inches. While the big trucks measured, almost 49. Hopefully that answers the question for Chooglin. Hope this helps.

Rugo

Thanks for the replies all!

Just the info i was looking for.
I have a lead on a big bolt '54 at a local junkyard that im going to look at and it sounds like its fairly complete. Ill be sure to get the inner fenders now too if things look good.

Thanks again

Chooglin