The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop 1940 1/2 ton front fender assembly

Hi everyone. New to this site, however, not new to the hobby, etc. Currently working on a 40 pu that was basically in pieces and I spent well over a year repairing metal and fab-ing parts. Just "finished" the frame/suspension and started assembling the body panels, etc. Does anyone have a pic or two showing how the front fenders attach near the front frame? this would be frame near the doghouse. There are two "pins" that go through the frame rails and I found the 4 brackets in the parts pile that go onto the pins, however, since everything was in pieces a few years ago when I purchased this, I am not certain how this gets assembled. I did a search on this site and internet, without any success. Just trying to get the panels adjusted, etc. well before paint. I can post some pics of the project if anyone is interested.

Thank you in advance.

Doug

Doug,

Post some pictures. I’m presently working on a ‘40 Chevy pu myself. Maybe I can help.

Mike

+1 to this! My fender bolt locations were filled in so I need to drill them out. Hope someone chimes in soon

Well, I am hopeful we can get some help..........I did figure out that part of my stupidity is that the "pins" i was referring too are for the front suspension, which I had removed and installed a Mustang II front. My issue is that I am aligning everything in the front and much like dkeehr indicated, most of the holes, etc. were not "usable" and therefore, I have very little reference points....things align fairly well, except the fenders to the cab. They fit well to the running boards and rocker panels, however, there is a gap at the front of the fender to cab. I suspect, since I have painfully worked at all the other gaps and replaced more metal than probably was original, I need to cut and fab more. Just hopeful that I can see some good examples and get some advice. My project so far is: Frame boxed, M2 front suspension, 4 link rear installed, custom 9" ford rear (325 gearing), I have most of the metal work completed and installed as a "mock up" (thus the need for the front installation information.

thanks,

Doug

not sure if this will help... but it's my complete fender just after taking it off the truck.

Doug,
These photos are for 1941 -46 but may help you with your 40.

Harold

Thank you! I think (if I'm assuming correctly) we're looking for some guidance on the bolt locations on the cab/firewall and the front skirt. Once I get some guidance here I will personally make a template and ship it out to any other inquiring minds. Shelbydog - are you dry fitting the fenders or using the gaskets? Not sure if the gaskets will make too much of a difference, but there may be some tolerance there.

On my 40 there are no bolts on the cab/firewall that attach to the fender (that I remember). The inner fender liner bolts to the frame near the base of the cab and then to the fender.
At the cab itself, the rear of the fender "buts" up to the triangle shape on the lower 1/4.

I don't have any good pictures of the radiator shroud but the fenders follow the arc of the shroud with 3 or 4 bolts (as I recall) and 1 bolt at the bottom lip of the apron.

Thanks everyone!
this is helpful. There are holes in the front fenders along the cab side (inner fender) that I assume must attach to the cab just in front of the doors? They were already on the fender (does not mean it is correct) and I did not do any metal work where these holes are. I did replace both lower front cab areas in front of the doors, however, I do not recall any attachment holes there. (although they may have been rusted out). I am assuming the only attachment of the fenders in the front is to the doghouse? Nothing to frame. The doghouse sits on the frame cross member and is secured there? Is there a gap/bushing or something that separates the bottom of the doghouse to the frame cross member? sorry so many questions.

I am dry fitting the body panels and making any "minor" adjustments to get my gaps good and make certain all attachment points are ready so there are no surprises or significant adjustments needed later. Once I get the panels all aligned (I spend way too much time on this as in 40, I am sure panel fit was no where near what I strive for). plan is to align panels, do any last body work, remove panels and prime/seal (again), then I will cut in the insides and anything that cannot be reached once reassembled. The next time the body panels get put on, has to be the last...........then block the outside panels and paint.
thanks in advance

Doug

The rear of the front fender is supported by its attachment to the running board and this brace in the photo that bolts to the frame

thanks Ridgeback

I think I solved the small gap issue at the fender to cab area. amazing when one steps away for a while and then things come clear. The problem is the fender brace Ridge shows in his pic. They are either bent slightly, or just not "exact" from initial production. If I detach one side of the brace, the top of the fender will snug right up to the cab. Now I just need to weld/fill the holes in the fender at the cab which must be someone's earlier attempt to attach the fender, etc.

thanks, Doug

any ideas??
I cannot get the top of the front fenders to proper gap at the cab
it is difficult to get pics that show the issue. everything else lines up really well so what am I missing?
thanks

I had the same problem.
I had a 3/4 inch gap at the top of the fender.
The running board seemed to take care of the bottom.
I tried to adjust the running board outer fastener by adding shims but didn’t help much.
It wasn’t until I put in the fender braces that connect the radiator shroud to the outside edge, inside of the front fender that the gap closed up.


Mike

Thanks Mike!

Do you have a pic of the fender brace that connects the radiator shroud to the outside edge? This would be very helpful as I think this is missing on mine. I had all but given up and was about to "cut" the fenders to make them fit since everything else fits very very well.........

you have given me hope

Doug

Mike,

is the brace the one in the earlier pic shared by 32snake? This is missing both of mine

thanks,

Doug

This is a picture sent to me from the VCCA web forum member Larry Elgeaton.
In response to a discussion I had about it with Mike Russell.
You should check out the forums over there…. Nice folks.

The brace is fastened to the fender using a tab that is positioned on the inner edge of the outside edge of the fender.

Mike

perfect. this explains a lot. thanks Mike

Mike,

just responded to your pm

Doug