Finally, after lots more time and money than I ever imagined, I am getting ready to to put the "dog house" back on my tuck. I'm having some trouble figuring out the hood latch and the headlights. Is anyone able to post diagrams that show how these parts go together. Thanks.

 

Is this what you need?

 

I'm not sure what you need on headlamps. They only go in one way. If it is a wiring issue then this should help:

 

Thanks Pete, for the response. Once I realized I was missing some pieces, the headlights made sense to me. Embarrassing to be stumped by something so simple.

A fellow FTE member worked on my front fenders. I have the front clip back from him and mostly put together, but I wasn't sure how the hood latch went together. The attached picture shows the parts i have left. Do I have everything needed for the upper valance? Only part # 16896 was removed from the hood, and I have that. It's a little hard to tell from your diagram if something may be missing. I am really a beginner when it comes to these kind of things. Sorry.




Thanks again.

Jim
Deerbrook, WI

 

Jim,

1. The left part is the secondary hood latch
2. Second from the left I'm not sure about. It looks like maybe it is the upper air dam to hood brace for a 1953-55 model? Note that the same part for the '48-'52 models has a 90 degree twist in it. But I think that it really looks like a rear fender brace that mounts behind the rear wheels, lower box side just above the frame to the lower part of the fender. There should be a reinforced bolt hole there.
3. Third from the left is the hood release handle for the main latch I don't know how you would open the hood very easily without it.
4. The part on the far tight is the main hood latch striker plate. The main latch bolts to that and it is mounted on the cross-brace in front of the radiator.

 

2nd from left goes between the upper valance and the grille. Not part of the latching system.

 

Thanks Pete and Ross. With your help, I have the upper valance panel brace figured out. I also know where the striker plate goes, and it doesn't look as though any parts are missing--no extra parts either. Hopefully, when I actually bolt things in place, it will be obvious how the hood release handle attaches to the striker plate. Just looking at the two parts, it's not so apparent to me. Thursday is supposed to be the big day for my truck to be reassembled. Its been in pieces since November. As of today, this is how things stand.

 

Don't see many in white, and that looks really great!

 

I am happy to report that when the striker plate was bolted on to the the upper valance, it was obvious where the hood release handle belonged. I am now officially ready for the next step in my project. Thanks for the help.

Jim
Deerbrook, WI