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| | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 151 Member | | Member Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 151 | Hello y'all,
Know of anywhere on da web that tells the brain-dead how to assemble and install a 54 1/2 ton grille more or less the correct way without totally screwing up? Or is it, in fact, a no-brainer?
Great to have found you by the way.
Christian | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,144 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,144 | Try posting your question in the paint and body shop section as well | | | | | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 | Welcome to the bolt,,some-one should be able to help you sooner or later,,regards,,,,Fred
Redryder pixMy HotrodA veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life."I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Christian,
I have done this several times. My suggestions might not be the best, but this has worked for me.
If you have not yet painted or chromed your grill pieces, spend some time "dry fitting" all the pieces, bending and shaping the mating edges until they are tight. Also note that screw/rivet holes often become deformed and have to be flattened in order for mating surfaces to come close together.
Next you have to decide what type of hardware you want to use: rivets, machine screws, nylon or metal washers, plated steel or stainless. Chevy Duty has a good hardware installation kit (if you want standard rivets). I found that I could not get a rivet gun into place for a tight rivet, so I used machine screws. Other people who have posted on this site have had good experiences with rivets.
Lay out all you parts on a carpeted floor and start to put them together. As I recall (the last time I did this was last winter), I started by putting the "nose" on the bottom piece of the grill and worked upwards. I might have attached the parking light panels to the middle cross bars before I attached those bars to the nose. I have done this myself but find it safer and easier to work with a helper.
Once you have the grill together, it can be installed onto the fenders as one piece. I have done this myself but only when desparate - find a friend or two to help you..
Make sure you have enough spring "nuts" (I think that is what they are called) and screws and flat washers. I used large-diameter fender washers wherever they could fit - and wherever they did not show on the outside.
The grill/radiator shroud should not yet be on the truck.
Gently fit the grill against the fenders and line up the upper fender holes - attach the screws but do not over tighten. I do not have the exact number, but I bet there are around 30 spring nuts that attach to body panels and screws that attach the grill to the spring nuts.
Once you have all the screws/bolts in place, I suggest that you install the (bumper braces, if they are not on already) the front valance, and the front bumper. This will allow you to adjust alignment.
You might find that you will need to loosen fender bolts (to the radiator frame and to the fender braces) in order to get a good alignment of parts.
Maybe other people will correct and clarify my instructions.
Good luck,
Tim | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 151 Member | | Member Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 151 | Thank you guys, thanks for the warm welcome to the newbie Limey here and also the practical advice.
Tim, your Zen and the Art of Grill Installing instructions are brilliant; just the step-by-step stuff I need, and much appreciated.
I'll post a pic of The Mouse--my daily driver-- when she's done. Knowing the full extent of my childhood ability with erector sets, chances are this will be the first time you've seen a 54 with an upside down grill. Inside out, even.
Christian | | |
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