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You will have to either add metal to raise the mounting lip at the bottom or take away metal at the top to make them fit the profile of the '48. Other than the knotch in the '48 to early '50 fenders are the same as the late '50 to '52. I would add the metal to the bottom of the mounting lip. It shouldn't be that difficult.
that confused me, Bob, and I already know what you're talking about!
48-50 have raised sections swaged into the bedsides, 51-52 are flat bedsides
so placing the 52 fenders (flat mounting flange) on the 48 bedside (with raised swaged area in centre of bedsides) will leave a swage-depth gap at the front and rear of the fender mounting flange.
I'm guessing there are three options:
1) use 2 or 3 washers on each fender mounting stud and use thick fender welting to fill the gap cosmetically.
2) weld extra metal to the fender front and rear edges to take up that gap (and still use washers to bolt the fenders up solidly)
3) remove metal from the top of the fender equal to the raised section of the bedside, then reposition the mounting flange on the fender accordingly.
I think the raised area is about 3/8" or so. Its not too bad. I can measure it this evening when I get home if you need it.
I'd bet if you just used some of the fender welting like they use on the front fender no one would know the difference.
I disagree .....fenderless is better than the wrong fender. We don't need to encourage this kind of metalwork malpractice. There way two many abortions on the road already .....Get the right fenders you will be glad you did.
Last edited by brucewolff; Feb 15, 2008 at 12:33 PM.
I have the 51-52 fenders on my 49. I glued the fender welt to the fenders. Then I put them on the bed and marked where the raised portion of the bed was. Took them off and glued on some 3/8" thick rubber strips. You need to punch holes in the rubber for the fender bolts. When you put them one and tighten everything up you can't tell the difference without getting real close and know where to look.
Sorry guys, in Australia, ANY fenders are so rare, they're worth about $1000 a pair for something decent (steel).....and THAT wouldnt matter if they were 49 or 52
......my rusty crustys are hanging in the rafters for "Ron"* while the fibreglass pair are on the truck!