Finally got the cab on the frame, and I am now starting on the front. I have two questions for all you F-1 experts ...

I have two complete front clips from a '51 and a '52. I took the right side inner fender from one of the assemblies and saw a large dent in it (unfortunately large dents in my sheet metal parts are all too common). So I took a hammer and beat the H--- out of it and made it go away. The next day I looked at the second clip and saw the same dent!! Curiosity has the best of me so question 1 is "What is this dent for?" (See picture below. Dent is hard to see but I painted it white near the radiator mount.)

And question 2 is... There are two holes where the inner fender meets the cab. (Again painted white in the picture below). I can tell where the upper hole mounts to the cab, but I have no clue as to how the lower hole bolts to either the cab or the frame. I feel like there must be a bracket for this lower hole that I do not have.

As always, your input is appreciated!
Thanks,
Fred

 

The floor's all yours Julie I trust you for an answer I'd be no help on these years,lol

 

Don’t know about the dent, Ford seemed to stick them everywhere.

Relying on a deteriorating memory from info previously posted here the lower rear hole was for a frame bracket on the 51’s that always cracked and broke the inner fender as the fenders and cab kina float (loose-y goosey) on the rad support and cab mounts, so to fix the problem Ford discontinued the frame bracket for 52, technology at its best.

 

This question has been brought a few times before and no one had a good answer for the dent. It could have been for some clearance problem possibly.

As for the second hole on the back side, I don't know. I just took a look at my '49 and didn't see a bolt hole in the cowl. I don't have the valve adjustment pan on my truck right now but there's a brace from that that bolts to the frame.

 

'51 was the last year that inner fenders bolted to the frame, instead of the cowl. '52 is different.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...questions.html

 

Beats the hay outta me. I don't have any inner fenders (on the full front tilt).

Sometimes large pieces of sheet like that are "arched" or have intentional indents just to add strength or keep them from "popping" in and out as they warm up or cool off.

 

Have asked this very same question before and still have not heard a logical answer . Have come to the conclusion that it was for some clearance issues at the factory with some sort of installation assembly girdle / hoist or such .Sound like a good idea ?

 

I'll have to go through my collection of 48-52 inner fender photos to highlight the differences. 51 was the last year the inner fenders attached to the frame.

I have my 52 Panel out of the garage and will take a picture of the lower mounting hole in the cab when I get home.