The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Bolt Kits for Front End Sheet Metal

I have a pile of parts for 51-53 GMC front end sheet metal. I want to put them together.
Almost enough parts for two complete sets. I have been looking for bolt/nut kits and prices.
Some online kits are as cheap as $55 to $75. Jim Carters has great parts, but the only kit I
saw on line was for a 55 (not sure how much difference), and costs $435. Big difference.
I know I get what I pay for, but the parts are not going on a truck yet, just getting put into
a set (or two).
Question 1) Any opinions on sources for nut/bolt kits to preassemble front end sheet metal?

Question 2) WD 40, or something else on bolts/ screws so they com apart again later?

Question 3) Anyone know of a salvage AD cab somewhere, that I might get the front panel
from, I just need hood hinges and fender attachment areas intact, to help hold a front
clip together? Or can I fab something from plywood???
Any hints/ ideas would be of great help, AND would make my wife happy. Both are important!
Thanks for any advise. Mike.

Mike - I think your questions are all related to paint and body stuff, so I've move your thread to the Paint and Body Shop for further conversation and help. Others should be along soon to provide some info and suggestions.

Mike - A little web surfing located this Front Clip Bolt Kit that should give you the vast majority of what you are needing. As far as question 2 goes, I don't know that I would use anything since any lubricant you use will have to be cleaned/removed from your parts come painting time.

As for question 3, put an ad up in Truck Parts Wanted if you are looking at locating a salvage cab.

Mike, nearly all the bolts for the front clip on an AD truck are 5/16" coarse thread hex head. Most are 1" long, with a few needing to be 1-1/2" long. Go to your local fastener store and buy a box of 100 5/16" x 1" bolts, a box of 100 5/16" hex nuts, a box of 100 flat washers, a box of 100 lock washers, a few (maybe 20) 5/16" fender washers, and a few (also maybe 20) 1-1/2" long bolts. There's also a number of #14 hex head sheet metal screws and matching J-nuts. I think 20 of each of those would be plenty as well. You'll be way better off price wise than buying a bolt kit. You just have to do a little figuring on what's needed.

One of our ‘Bolters, Steve who operates a salvage yard called “Mongo’s Garage” specifically for early GM trucks. He could supply you with the panels you need and ship it to you. Here is his contact info. (816) 265-1462

Thank you guys! This is a great group! Good answers for each question. Perfect. Mike.

Keep WD-40 away from your truck! It causes all kinds of issues later on when you go to paint...it's bad stuff to have around a restoration project.

SS fasteners likes to gall up, so ALL stainless steel bolts should have Anti-Seize on the threads if you ever want to take it back apart. It's optional on zinc plated steel bolts.

Mike B

I bought a bumper to bumper bolt kit in polished stainless hex head. I don't remember where I got them. Loctite makes anti-seize, red, and blue in stick form now. they are awesome.

Nice. How much was the set?

Having them all labeled as to where they go is handy. Removes a lot of

I can relate to the benefit of labeled parts bages. I am trying to determine what hardware I need for some aspects of my truck assembly given that it wasn't fully together when I bought it and what disassembly I did was over 3 years ago. I have purchased some specific hardware kits from the normal sources but those only help with about 10% of the overall situation.

I took a ton of pictures when disassembling my truck over a period of 5+ years. But of course I missed some areas. Had to rely on my fuzzy memory for a lot of it, but managed to get it bolted together.

I'm going to follow all this good advice! I should be able to put together two front clips.
I used to buy all my bolts, nuts, washers, from JC Whitney, when they sent out a paper
catalog. I'm on the west coast, so anyone wish to offer an opinion about where you guys
get fair to good quality auto bolts, etc., in boxes of 100? Online or in a chain store? For
me now, decent or better quality is more valuable than cheapest price. Thanks again!

I've used BoltDepoe.com several times. Lots of choices there.

Dennis

McMaster-Carr in the LA area has about anything you need in any grade. Or Fastenal at 4421 Giannecchini Ln Suite 200 Stockton, CA USA 95206

We have a local outfit called Fasteners and Fire Equipment that is a good source, too.

It's been a while but I think it was around $700.