I purchased a ‘51 Chevy cab, frame and a "bucket" of parts a few years ago (I posted it here) and I am finally to the point where I am dry fitting the fenders. I had one fender original (right front) that fit fine and the left front was a repro. I had great difficulty installing the repro and came to find out it was not the right one. It looked like it was the correct one off the frame but turned out to be too tall and too long. If anyone can help me identify what it belongs to, that would be greatly appreciated and I can then get it posted as for sale. This means I am looking for a used left front fender now. I live near Rockford IL. Dry fitting sure paid off in this case. I'm glad I didn't have that fender all prettied up!
Sounds like you got a Big Bolt Fender. Although I didn't know that anyone reproduced fenders for Big Bolts. Maybe it was just a crappy repop.
The wheel opening is larger to fit the bigger wheels and tires. Also hood, grille, etc are larger on Big Bolts.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
51Gib, I think Kevin may have ID’d your mismatched fender. Your topic is more about correct identification, which you may want to further confirm with posting a picture for folks to see.
To help you find another fender, please post an ad in the Truck Parts Wanted forum.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
I am adding pictures to show my unknown fender. It was suggested that it may be a bigbolt fender (whatever that is) but that makes since because it is slightly larger than my short-bed 3100. The length front to back is roughly 57" (see tape measure laid out in one of the pics on my method), The rear height behind the wheel-well is around 30". The bottom of the headlamp opening to the bottom of the fender is around 18". The inner side of the headlamp opening to the inner fender edge is about 11" (see pic). There is also a painted on part number in the inside of the fender. 3682431. I mentioned it could be a repro, but if they didn't make those then this could be NOS. It just doesn't look like its been installed although it has lots of scratches and rubs probably from being moved around for years. Nothing serious.
Yep, that's a big bolt LF fender. Could that part number actually be 3682481? That would confirm it. I'm gonna say it's NOS. Here's a clip from the 1929-1954 parts list for front fenders with that line highlighted. Utility means the 1-1/2 ton and larger trucks.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Yes indeed, that number is a little smudged but could very well be an 8. Thank you all for the help. Now I can get it listed for sale. Now to find the right one.
Fenders for up to 1 ton are reproduced. I think the larger ones were never reproduced. Although not that many larger trucks are restored, those fenders are very difficult to find for someone that needs them.
Wow, that NOS fender is gonna be a gold nugget for someone!! I've needed a left front fender for my '65 C60 for decades, and finding the fender while I have the money for it, is an event that hasn't yet lined up for me.
