The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop REAR TRUCK FENDERS, 1939 to 1946. 1/2 ton, 3/4, & 1.1/2 ton TRUCK

Can anyone explain how many different size rear truck fenders were made for Chevy trucks from 1939 to 1946?
I was told that 1939 had wider rear fenders (one year only) than 1940 to 46. OK, are 3/4 ton fenders different than 1/2 ton size?
Also, when looking at spec sheets showing photos of all of the different truck models that could be purchased, I see bigger 1.1/2 ton trucks with no beds, but some do have rear fenders. Would those trucks have a bigger/different rear fender?

The Master Parts Catalog says 1939-1946 fenders are interchangeable. There is one small possible difference for the '39 version and maybe the '40? The fender brace is located about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom rear. The later version has the fender brace at top center. I am unaware of any other dimension differences. It seems to me if there were, the parts numbers would be different. My guess is, if some have or have seen different widths of the fender(s) these were intended for use on 1 ton and larger trucks. Another possibility is that in '46 after war production ramped up quickly and as I understand it some of those models had parts somewhat cobbled together to get units to dealers ASAP.

I have not checked the Parts Catalog but I believe 39 rear fenders are different from 1940-46. They are a different width to make up for the narrower bed used in 1939.

I have both size fenders. You might want to draw this on paper to keep up with all the different measurements.
FIRST, #(1) fender I'll call 1939: #(2) fender I'll call 1940/46. (#1) clearly had only one support brace mounted outside on the lower portion of the rear of the fender. By the paint dis-color, it was a wide brace. Not sure were it would go on the truck for support, since it should be way lower than the frame? This fender also shows no rivvit holes for a top center inside brace going over the wheel, as the newer models do have.
(#2) fender does have two braces, one light weight brace at the bottom, edge behind the wheel inside the fender. The other brace was rivvited top center edge going over the wheel for support, as I have seen on most Chevy trucks of that era.
OK, with both (#1&2)fenders standing on there own, "not on a truck". Using a string to follow the curves, than adding lengths to a tape measure for accuracy.
First off, both fenders seem to be the same overall length, 53". Also both seem to be the same height.
But everything else is different. Measuring 1" off the ground, (#1) is 15" from wheel opening going around back to the back lower edge.(#2) is 13", 2" smaller. Same at the front at bottom of wheel opening, 1" off the ground going around the front in side edge, (#1) is 27",(#2) 25", 2" smaller again.
Than measuring top center were rivvit area of(#2) going over the wheel (#1) is 19", (#2) is 17", 2" smaller again. But the wheel opening is 1.1/2" smaller on (#1) than on(#2), measuring 1" off the ground.
Another tid-bit, the mounting bolt holes on the back side look to be in the same spot, but (#2) has 7 mounting holes, (#1) only has 5 mounting holes.
Funny thing, although (#1) must have more material, it seems to weigh less than #2. Both are very solid fenders, "only light surface rust" (#2) might have more paint, but you sure feel a difference in weight...

Hey - I'm new to this forum. I find it to be a wealth of information on old trucks and cars. Oldschool chev guy has enlightened me on rear fender braces. I have a 1946 Chevy Truck 1/2 ton. I have started my restoration on it. When I first got it there were no braces on the rear fenders. I found out that there should be two on each fender. One at the top over the wheel. The other goes at the rear of the fender at the bottom. However, I cannot for heaven's sake, figure out how to place the 2nd rear fender brace, at the rear bottom of the fender. I bought the brace from www.classicpartsusa.com. You can refer to it if you like. I know it sounds crazy, but I really need help on positioning this brace. Even the body shop guy could not figure it out. Can you please help?

Welcome to the Stovebolt

Show us the part or give us the part number so we can see what you have...you just linked Classic's home page.

Mike B

Okay. I'm sorry about that. Here is the information I have about the rear fender brace for the back of the fender of the 1946 Chevy Truck.

From web site - : https://www.classicpartsusa.com/product/MS108_1946/1946_Truck_Parts_Fender_Items

1946 Fender brace, rear
1946 Fender brace, rear ITEM NUMBER: MS108_1946
Description: Fender brace, rear, lower, as original in 1940-41 but will fit 1942-1946, works for Chevy or GMC trucks, for 1946

I hope this helps.

Thanks for your response.
James

Hi James,
I'm not that far on my truck and I don't have the lower brace. I went out and looked at my fenders and cannot think of a way that brace would be attached. You would think the the curve would align with the curve on the fender. But I can't see how it would work that way.
Sorry I'm no help but someone will come along and help us both out!

Since your not getting much help here in GTT, I’m going to move this to Paint and Body.

I can''t figure out how it fits either. Thanks for checking Vew. Maybe someone in the body shop has seen this before.

Thanks for everyone's help.

James

On my truck ('40) the brace bolts on to the chassis , that's the long arm , the short arm bolts thru the fender aft of the wheel .

Hey Dusty - Can you provide a photo of how it attaches. We cannot still see how this brace attaches. Thanks for all your help.
James

Have not seen a brace like the one you posted.
The rear fender lower brace looks like the attached photo. One end bolts in side the fender lip (bottom rear of fender) & the other end bolts to a pre-punched hole in the side of the frame. There is another brace top center that is riveted in place to the fender.
Harold