Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Body panels not playing nicely.

I fit the inner fenders and rad support together before paint. Now I am trying to fit fenders and it is blowing up.

Hung doors yesterday. I am pleased with how they came out. Gaps are decent.

Problem 1.

Fender on right side seems to have a different curve than the door.
The gap grows top to bottom. Currently I have the rad support on the frame with no rubber spacer at all. I have bent the inner fender out and down to make things better but I am at a stop right now. I fear pulling the rear most bolt causing a wrinkle in the fender.

Left side things lined up ok.

Problem 2.

Gave up trying to attach grill support and ripped the fenders back off and bolted them to the grill support. It is looking like dog shat. Only thing I can think of is elongation every single hole.

An idea that popped into my head while trying to understand your dilemma

Is it possible the back of the cab to frame is a bit too much gap
Or the front of the cab gap to frame too closed?

This might help with just one of your fitment issues
But I’m not a body doctor

Just an idea to check out
-s

2manyyrucks,

I have new rubber mounts in. I don't think how it sits on the frame will have any impact. This all bolts together independent of the frame.

Kk I was thinking like the earlier trucks I own where if the cab were tilted forward the front fenders wouldn’t play nice
I have no experience with the generation you are working on
Hope you find the issue
-s

As far as the grill surround to fender nose fit; it is a struggle ( my experience). I started there and got that sorted before I worried much about the door gaps. Everything (cab, inners, rad support) loose until happier with fit. And I did have to elongate holes and
pry and clamp. It did result in multiple tries and frustration.

I just went thru this last week on my 66 c10. On the grille shell to fender connection, I ended up leaving all other fender bolts out then started those two upper bolts. Once I had the grille shell to fender joint where I wanted it (perfect on one side & about 90% on the other) I tightened those bolt down. Then proceeded to get the others started. Yes, it took a lot of prying with phillips screw drivers to get the other grille shell & fender bolts to align, but eventually got them all in.

On the right door to fender gap, I had problems there too. I ended up using a large c clamp (maybe10 " or so) & hooked it on the front cab support & behind the rear fender brace near the rear lower bolt is located & just cranked it back till I had a gap I could live with. I had to shim my fender out a little, but looks like yours is just the opposite. Maybe the front of the door needs to be adjusted out a little.

Don't have any good photos, sorry.

RLB,

Interesting method to solve problems. If I have time this weekend I am going to try. I am hesitant to shim the door cause I have it fitting so well now.

So is the top of fender to top of grill support the most important? Cause I can't keep the body lines from fender to grill and keep the top even. Here are pics from one side to the other. Left side i have body lines in the grill support lined up, and right side I have the top lined up. Can't have both

Split the difference between each side?

I can get the ledt side same as the right by elongation holes. Just don't know which lines are more important. I think it needs to be flush on top. Just need some confirmation.