does anyone know if the rad support panel is required on a 51 f1? does the support do anything? does it hold the fenders together? i'm using an alluminum rad and want to delete the support for the stock rad for more space with the new raD INSTALL. CAN I DO THIS WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE SUPPRT OF THE FENDERS or anything else? it would be easier to mount the new rad without the old support if its ok to remove!

 

I don't think it will compromise the strengh but you will have to put something from where it mounts to the frame to the fenders because that is the only front mount for the fenders. The other mounts for the front sheetmetal are at the rear of the fenders (running boards to fender, two on the fender sides)

Nathan

 

the fenders bolt to the frame via the support? ive never taken the truck apart so im confused. would i take flat metal to the fender to the frame?b

 

The radiator support hold the rad. in place plus it supports the inner fenders and the fender braces. The support and inner fenders and the braces are sandwiched together with 3 bolts on each side that go thru the braces, pass thru the inner fenders and thread into the support. Remember the support also has the 2 bolts that go thru the frame with the 2 springs, etc.. That allows the nose to "flex". Without that, the sheetmetal will do the flexing. You shouldn't bolt the nose down solid to the frame.

 

I recently dismantled the front sheet metal on my truck. Based on the way the fenders and radiator are supported by it, I would not try to eliminate the original support. Is there some reason why you can't fit the radiator inside the original support? That's what I plan to do. As long as the new radiator has some kind of bracket for mounting, you should be able to make it fit within the original support.

 

my rad is too wide too fit inside the support. i have to remove the support or put the rad behind the grill before the support cauise its too close to the fan on the motor side of the support. should i leave the support and put the rad between the support and the grill?

 

Have you thought of having a new radiator support made that fits the fenders and the rad? I think this is your best bet.

Nathan

 

It should not matter if you put the radiator between the radiator support and the grille as long as the brackets are secure. You might need a fan extension since the fan should be within one inch or so of the radiator, and use a shroud of some sort if you can. If fact, if you mount the radiator between the radiator support and grille, you may be able to use a stock shroud since it bolts directly to the radiator support.

 

i may try removing the support and making a new one out of angle sleel so i can keep the stock location of the rad and for the fan to be in the same spot as before. then i can use the springs on the bottom of the stock support also. what do you think?

 

That should work okay provided you use the same type of spring mount for your new core support and don't mount it solid. Just use the original core support as a pattern and get the holes for fender support in the same exact place.

 

just got done removing the stock support, now i understand about the front clip mounting with the springs. thanks for all the advice, im in the middle of making a replica of the original out of angle steel in the mesurments that i need. i will also be retaining the bottom cross bar with the stock springs fo the front clip! thanks!

 

Great, hope it works out for you...