Front Clip removal
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Front Clip removal
Can someone tell me the easiest way to remove the front clip from my 77 F250? I am doing a 460 to Cummins swap and it would be a lot easier if I can remove the front clip intact. Any help would be appreciated.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 47
From: Eagle River, AK
I found this searching the internet. This is most of it, but I'm sure there are a couple things missing.
"First, drain the coolant. the radiator comes with the front clip. Remove the battery and wires/ecu/starter solenoid bolted to the inner fenders. Unplug the headlights and whatever else you can find that will not remove with the front clip
remove the two front body mount bolts and the front bumper... removal of the bumper just makes it easier to handle the clip.
Then there are 2 bolts on the lowest part of the fenders by the door.
Then there is a bolt in each door jamb... 1/2 if i remember right... these were the biggest pain, mainly because i had to use an open end wrench to get to them. Can use a socket i think to break them loose.
then there are 6 bolts (3 on each side) located where the front clips meet the fire wall. They bolt straight to the fire wall.
I also took the hood off to make it lighter... its held on by i think 6 bolts also at the hinges. Or you can take off the 8 that hold the hood to the hinges.
there are also one bolt on each side that hold the inner fender to a fabric "L" shaped thing.
it can be done with 2 people, but 3 makes it easier to balance and to help clear the fenders of the tires and whatever else they get hung up on.
May sound more complicated then it really is, but i can pull the front clip off in less then an hour now.
just watch for anything else that is connected when lifting up on the front clip, any wires or hoses."
"First, drain the coolant. the radiator comes with the front clip. Remove the battery and wires/ecu/starter solenoid bolted to the inner fenders. Unplug the headlights and whatever else you can find that will not remove with the front clip
remove the two front body mount bolts and the front bumper... removal of the bumper just makes it easier to handle the clip.
Then there are 2 bolts on the lowest part of the fenders by the door.
Then there is a bolt in each door jamb... 1/2 if i remember right... these were the biggest pain, mainly because i had to use an open end wrench to get to them. Can use a socket i think to break them loose.
then there are 6 bolts (3 on each side) located where the front clips meet the fire wall. They bolt straight to the fire wall.
I also took the hood off to make it lighter... its held on by i think 6 bolts also at the hinges. Or you can take off the 8 that hold the hood to the hinges.
there are also one bolt on each side that hold the inner fender to a fabric "L" shaped thing.
it can be done with 2 people, but 3 makes it easier to balance and to help clear the fenders of the tires and whatever else they get hung up on.
May sound more complicated then it really is, but i can pull the front clip off in less then an hour now.
just watch for anything else that is connected when lifting up on the front clip, any wires or hoses."
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Thanks for the input. I will take a look tomorrow and see if I can find the right bolts. Probably give them a good shot of PB Blaster and let them set for a few days before trying to remove them.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,945
Likes: 13
Fairly easy and straight foreward, just start unbolting stuff till it comes off 
i opted to leave the front clip on and slide the cab back, long story but i had my reasons, very easy to do this way with a loader.
I notice that post said 2-3 people... i find taking the front clip off pretty easy by myself.
i opted to leave the front clip on and slide the cab back, long story but i had my reasons, very easy to do this way with a loader.I notice that post said 2-3 people... i find taking the front clip off pretty easy by myself.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: Two Rivers, Alaska
Front clip can be pulled by yourself with a cherry picker and a couple heavy straps run from corner to corner... I like this way even with help, because if you have a second cherry picker for engine removal, you can leave the clip on one... In my experiance the weight of the clip itself can(will) bend the lower fenders inward if you set it down on them... Either way, when you do set it down, support the fenders in the wheel wells, not directly on their front corners.
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