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I'm working on my'81 f150 in which everything with oil in it, leaks. The axle bushings and radius arm bushings are shot along with just about every front end suspension component. After looking it all over, I think it might be easier to pull the front clip to pull the 300 out for re-seal and do all the required suspension work without all that stuff in the way. I can clean it all better too. My question is concerning the rear of the front fenders. There are two bolts per side that attach up near the hood springs, and I would guess there is at least 1 bolt per side somewhere at the bottom ( I have not looked down under yet). Is that all the fender attachment points from fender to cab? The rest looks pretty straight forward.
Thanks
Been a bit but you have the 2 at the hinge, there are cardboard shims there that will fall apart so be ready.
I think there was a bolt part way down in the door jamb area and 1 or 2 at the bottom.
I cant remember if the liner has any into the cab or not.
You have the 2 for the radiator support with steel shims.
You have wiring down both sides to the front with ground wires at each front corner. windshield washer wire and hose.
I might be missing somethings but when you get into it you will see them.
I used my cherry picker and straps to lift it off and move.
Dave ----
Well that brings up another question. How heavy is it? I've done two Fords, both dent sides and two of us were able to handle it. I can rig up my shop hoist, which needs to happen eventually anyway, but I'd like to park this thing outside which means it will have to be carried.
I guess if both were young strapping guys you could lift it off but at the time it was just me, myself & I and in my mid 50's I was not going to give it a try by myself.
You should have seen what I had to do to get the cab off & on the frame by myself.
Well wife did help move the horse out of the way when putting it back on and the guy next door helped when I installed the windshield.
Dave ----
LOL. I hear ya. That was 25 years ago! I retired 10 months ago at 59. And while I consider myself still pretty scrappy I also tend to work smarter I.E. use a lot more help.
When I started my project I just moved here and did not know anyone.
I also started a truck driving job with long hours so the only time I had to work on the truck was maybe weekends during warm / summer weather as cold / winter I could work weekends if hour of service was lifted because LP was needed for survival.
Then add no heat or AC in my garage I would not do any work. So with all that is why it took 4 years to get the truck on the road.
Hard to believe I had the truck this far apart and 4 year later was driving it.
Dave ----
I'm working on my'81 f150 in which everything with oil in it, leaks. The axle bushings and radius arm bushings are shot along with just about every front end suspension component. After looking it all over, I think it might be easier to pull the front clip to pull the 300 out for re-seal and do all the required suspension work without all that stuff in the way. I can clean it all better too. My question is concerning the rear of the front fenders. There are two bolts per side that attach up near the hood springs, and I would guess there is at least 1 bolt per side somewhere at the bottom ( I have not looked down under yet). Is that all the fender attachment points from fender to cab? The rest looks pretty straight forward.
Thanks
i did not need to remove the fenders when pulling my 300. But i did find it much easier with the radiator support out also. It only takes a few more hours to remove. And made the pull much easier. engine compartment ready. time to stab the motor in
I had considered that, but I am also overhauling the suspension and removing the clip exposes everything. "a few more hours" I figured timewise it is a wash between removing the whole thing or just the rad support.
Thanks for the pics, your ride is super clean there.
I had considered that, but I am also overhauling the suspension and removing the clip exposes everything.
The fenders and core support aren’t in the way of seeing and getting to the suspension. A better excuse to remove the assembly would have been to clean and paint the frame.
Three of us removed and carried the front clip of my ‘89.
I got spoiled many years ago doing all chassis work and related on a lift. I don't have one and I hate working on my back underneath, but I have done so since those days. My older body doesn't do well anymore working that way, especially my shoulders, so pulling the clip is appealing. I have 4WD and all that is coming out. And everything is covered in oil/gease/dirt which I do want to clean up. I'm not building a trailer queen, this is a ranch work truck, but I want it completely functional/reliable for anything anywhere.
I got spoiled many years ago doing all chassis work and related on a lift. I don't have one and I hate working on my back underneath, but I have done so since those days. My older body doesn't do well anymore working that way, especially my shoulders, so pulling the clip is appealing. I have 4WD and all that is coming out. And everything is covered in oil/gease/dirt which I do want to clean up. I'm not building a trailer queen, this is a ranch work truck, but I want it completely functional/reliable for anything anywhere.
I do not know what is going on, but I get nausea when laying under a vehicle and then rolling around underneath to reach stuff. Something new as I age. I am glad I have a lift.
I do not know what is going on, but I get nausea when laying under a vehicle and then rolling around underneath to reach stuff. Something new as I age. I am glad I have a lift.
Maybe an inner ear problem? You should have that checked out.
Originally Posted by PROSTOCK
I have 4WD and all that is coming out. And everything is covered in oil/gease/dirt which I do want to clean up. I'm not building a trailer queen, this is a ranch work truck, but I want it completely functional/reliable for anything anywhere.
I removed the TTB on the ‘94 Bronco with the front of the frame on jack stands to replace axle seals. It wasn’t that bad from under the truck but if I was doing the engine and other stuff removing the sheet metal makes sense, I guess. You don’t have to deal the road salt and brine to deal with in Texas that I do so cleaning and repainting the frame isn’t an issue.
Last edited by My4Fordtrucks; Mar 9, 2026 at 07:54 PM.
I do not know what is going on, but I get nausea when laying under a vehicle and then rolling around underneath to reach stuff. Something new as I age. I am glad I have a lift.
I get that too when I’m wearing glasses. Do you wear bifocals or progressive lenses? I think that’s a cause, it’s a form of sea-sickness. Otherwise you can get crystals in your inner ears and there’s an “Epply Maneuver” that’s supposed to help dislodge them.
I had considered that, but I am also overhauling the suspension and removing the clip exposes everything. "a few more hours" I figured timewise it is a wash between removing the whole thing or just the rad support.
Thanks for the pics, your ride is super clean there.
Thanks that was a few weekends with a wire wheel, some rust converter and rustoleum paint! Just hoping to keep it on the road another 40years or so!
I do not know what is going on, but I get nausea when laying under a vehicle and then rolling around underneath to reach stuff. Something new as I age. I am glad I have a lift.
Originally Posted by Brnfree
I get that too when I’m wearing glasses. Do you wear bifocals or progressive lenses? I think that’s a cause, it’s a form of sea-sickness. Otherwise you can get crystals in your inner ears and there’s an “Epply Maneuver” that’s supposed to help dislodge them.
I also get the same thing when rolling around under a car or truck, no lift here and I do wear bifocals so maybe next time I will remove them.
I did not wear bifocals till about 20 years ago but was also not working on much back then.
Dave ----
and I do wear bifocals so maybe next time I will remove them.