Front Fenders..HELP!
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: North Miss.
Front Fenders..HELP!
Ok..I have come to the point of needing front fenders..Here's my problem new steel one are just WAY to much for me to swallow 2. Not to sure about the Glass one's...Any thoughts..I have searched the classifieds with no luck..Does anyone have a decent pair they want to sell....Thanks!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
If you think the steel ones are expensive (who is making steel ones?) wait until you learn the price of good OEM ones... 
I have no personal experience with them, but most here go with the glass ones. I know of at least one person that got one with a sizable dip in the top surface. The bends in the glass ones will never be as crisp as metal, but you can sharpen them up with some work. Do a search on my user name and fiberglass to find the FG rework discussion/info.
I have no personal experience with them, but most here go with the glass ones. I know of at least one person that got one with a sizable dip in the top surface. The bends in the glass ones will never be as crisp as metal, but you can sharpen them up with some work. Do a search on my user name and fiberglass to find the FG rework discussion/info.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
I looked into replacing my front fenders on my 51. I have a full front tilt and the backs of the fenders were not properly supported and tore.
The input that I got about the fibreglass fenders was that they were lighter, but did not fit as well and had the tendancy to "spiderweb" crack on the back by the cowl from rocks and road fodder being thrown up from the tires. Thus there had to be an "insulator" installed as well.
51/52 Bonus Built fenders are not being reproduced like Effie fenders. And F1 (as opposed to F2+)fenders are very difficult to find.
I looked for three years and finally found a set on E-bay that had the back edge and lower fender seam (Bonus Built front fenders come in 2 pieces) repaired.
I paid $700 for the pair and met the guy half way between San Diego and Fresno to pick them up (ie no shipping cost).
I think your choice here is really about whether or not you want to put up with the extra work it's going to take to make the glass work VS. the $$$ it's going to take to put on fenders that work properly (hint hint).
As AX suggested, there are a few threads here on the glass fenders and getting aftermarket fenders replaced.
Good luck!
The input that I got about the fibreglass fenders was that they were lighter, but did not fit as well and had the tendancy to "spiderweb" crack on the back by the cowl from rocks and road fodder being thrown up from the tires. Thus there had to be an "insulator" installed as well.
51/52 Bonus Built fenders are not being reproduced like Effie fenders. And F1 (as opposed to F2+)fenders are very difficult to find.
I looked for three years and finally found a set on E-bay that had the back edge and lower fender seam (Bonus Built front fenders come in 2 pieces) repaired.
I paid $700 for the pair and met the guy half way between San Diego and Fresno to pick them up (ie no shipping cost).
I think your choice here is really about whether or not you want to put up with the extra work it's going to take to make the glass work VS. the $$$ it's going to take to put on fenders that work properly (hint hint).
As AX suggested, there are a few threads here on the glass fenders and getting aftermarket fenders replaced.
Good luck!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
I avoid glass whenever I possibly can. Sometimes it fits, sometimes it is off by a ridiculous amount. Front fenders is a place where a bad fit will torment you. I sent my old ones on a nice long Greyhound ride out of my lfe.
Rear fenders, valance, rollpan, not so big a deal. When I buy glass, BeBops is decent IMO.
Rear fenders, valance, rollpan, not so big a deal. When I buy glass, BeBops is decent IMO.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
Glass is not lighter, either. Almost no difference in weight. The big difference is -- they don't rust. Even if they repro'd Bonus Built fronts, I doubt I'd buy them. They have too many built-in water collection points ("the usual places"). The most damning thing I can say about them is -- even in New Mexico, they rust out!
So Cory, your username says F1, but that doesn't tell us anything. What year are you looking for? We aren't mindreaders!
So Cory, your username says F1, but that doesn't tell us anything. What year are you looking for? We aren't mindreaders!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Glass is not lighter, either. Almost no difference in weight. The big difference is -- they don't rust. Even if they repro'd Bonus Built fronts, I doubt I'd buy them. They have too many built-in water collection points ("the usual places"). The most damning thing I can say about them is -- even in New Mexico, they rust out!
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,173
Likes: 4,780
From: Burbank, WA
Ok..I have come to the point of needing front fenders..Here's my problem new steel one are just WAY to much for me to swallow 2. Not to sure about the Glass one's...Any thoughts..I have searched the classifieds with no luck..Does anyone have a decent pair they want to sell....Thanks!
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,661
Likes: 23
Craigslist or the HAMB. Not just where you're located, if you're willing to ship them...
try doing a google search for "Craigslist fender Ford *and years that can work*" It will show craigslist ads, not just localized ones.
Also post an ad. Do so like every three days. Don't put it in the want section but rather the auto parts, just title it "Wanted: *then whatever*"
You get a lot more hits that way.
Post some pictures of the fenders you have, maybe someone knows an ingenious way to fix them.
try doing a google search for "Craigslist fender Ford *and years that can work*" It will show craigslist ads, not just localized ones.
Also post an ad. Do so like every three days. Don't put it in the want section but rather the auto parts, just title it "Wanted: *then whatever*"
You get a lot more hits that way.
Post some pictures of the fenders you have, maybe someone knows an ingenious way to fix them.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: North Miss.
Thanks for all the input..They are for my 55..I help run a body shop so working the fiberglass isn't a real big deal..But my plan was to move the wheel wells forward a few inchs..To me metal is alot easier and cleaner then glass work..
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
OOps! I assumed you were looking for F-1 fenders when I commented. Personally I'd want to start with good fenders to do that rework so I'd pick the steel repros. I hear the new ones are much better.
I do have an unused set of FG ones and a FG front valance I may be interested in selling. These are older stock, heavy weight. I haven't checked the fit however. I bought them as spares.
I do have an unused set of FG ones and a FG front valance I may be interested in selling. These are older stock, heavy weight. I haven't checked the fit however. I bought them as spares.
FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,683
Likes: 8,269
From: northwestern Ontario
Finding F600 fenders might be a good option as most of the ones I've seen are in very good shape and if you are altering the wheel well opening anyways the larger openings wouldn't matter much, if the wheel well opening on your F100 are in good shape you could the pieces from them. This is what I'm planning to do with a set of F600's I have for a future project. I once asked if the F600 fenders were hard to come by and was told that they were plenty and cheap to buy.