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Reassembling 1985 F150 4x4. Happy with doors and fenders to doors alignment. However, something is wrong at the front of the fenders and core support. I have about a 1/2” gap at the front between the fenders and hood. The fenders are in against the core support as far as they will go. This is the original 1985 core support and fenders, but on a 1981 frame. It is like the core support is too wide. What am I possibly doing wrong? Thanks.
First because you cant change the door openings on the cab you have to align the doors to the door opening.
Once you have that you can then hang the fenders and align to the doors and cowl.
If the hood is not on at this time install the hood being careful when you close it slowly checking for gaps at the cowl and fenders.
Now I am guessing the hood is installed and why you see this big gap between fenders and hood.
What is the gap back at the cowl is it also 1/2"? Guessing not. How is the fender gap at the front down low at the bumper filler panel?
With out seeing what you have I would guess you have the fender / support not installed right, one is on top of the other and should be the other way around.
IIRC there is a plate that ties the support to the fenders at the top is this in place? If so maybe remove it and see if it will close the gap.
I would have to look mine over but I had mine all apart 5 years ago as part of the cab off frame rebuild.
Dave ----
Dave, thanks for the reply. The fender to hood/cowl gap is fine. I first discovered this issue when test fitting the grill and lights a few days ago. The bumper filler panel had 1/4”+ gaps on either end. So then starting at the doors, I carefully aligned the gaps and moved forward, leveling and squaring the fenders and core support.
I do have the top plates tying the fenders to the core, but the bolts are loose. The fenders appear to be flush against the core support where there are flanges on the fenders that bolt to the core. I will get some pics for you so you can see what is going on. Maybe I have something attached wrong.
If you can post some pics of the gaps, it may be easier to help you. Sometimes its the core support mounts that have given out that affect panel gaps. Aftermarket parts also make it hard to get the correct gaps. I just re-assembled a 1971 that was brought to me in parts and installed 2 new aftermarket fenders and new poly core support bushings. The combination of wore out factory parts, upgraded new parts and sloppy re-pops made this a time consuming process.
I moved the front clip over from my parts truck as a test fit and to pull the dents out and weld up the molding holes.
Then I pulled the fenders leaving the support so I could finish working the fenders prime and paint the insides before putting them back on the truck.
Only issue I remember having is the paper shims on the top by the cowl. I made some from floor tiles.
Yea pictures would help
Dave ----
Here are photos of my gaps. Two of the pics are the inside of the core support where the fenders are flush against the core support. The other two are the fenders to the hood. The gap is consistent on the passenger side, but angles out on the driver side.
Is it true that reinforcement 168072 is bolted to the fender AND the core support? If it is, how much play is in those bolt holes to the core support? You could take a file and make them slotted if you needed more.
I think this diagram has the answer. Please comment if you know. If you look back at my photos, you will see that I bolted the fender flanges to the outer side of the core support. It appears in the diagram that they bolt to the inner side.
I think I see the issue!
Pull the 2 screws out next to the headlights and and move the nuts to the fender "wing" and put the wing behind the support and you should be able to move it in more.
I bet you pulled the speed nuts when you painted everything and put them on the wrong part ....... I hope
Dave ---
I think this diagram has the answer. Please comment if you know. If you look back at my photos, you will see that I bolted the fender flanges to the outer side of the core support. It appears in the diagram that they bolt to the inner side.
I did not see this before I posted I was also in a rush to get out the door for apt.
But that is what I posted and I did not look at the diagram just the picture of your truck.
Put the flange behind the support and I think you will be good.
Also note there is a rubber filler that fits on the fenders between the fender and head light doors.
Cancel that I went back and see you have them (told you I was in a rush before with the first post)
Dave ----
I think this diagram has the answer. Please comment if you know. If you look back at my photos, you will see that I bolted the fender flanges to the outer side of the core support. It appears in the diagram that they bolt to the inner side.
What does this area
look like now that you changed it around?
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