Assembly process- need advice
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Stony Plain,AB Canada
Assembly process- need advice
I'm starting to assemble my 55 F100 front sheet metal for fitment and alignment. Some parts still need a little cosmetic work but I thought I would test fit everything first just in case some mods had to be made. I'm adding a front tilt hood, so some fab will happen there, door gaps to even out, etc.
Questions:
1) When assembling how easy should the parts fit together, so when they are painted all goes well? As I'm assembling now I need to use a center punch in the holes to get them to line up with a little force in some cases.
2) Do I need to have all the bolts in if it looks good with only a few installed?
3) What is the tell tale that all is aligned properly? I'm thinking the hood gaping to the fenders? (My cab is on new mounting hardware and secured down to the frame.)
Questions:
1) When assembling how easy should the parts fit together, so when they are painted all goes well? As I'm assembling now I need to use a center punch in the holes to get them to line up with a little force in some cases.
2) Do I need to have all the bolts in if it looks good with only a few installed?
3) What is the tell tale that all is aligned properly? I'm thinking the hood gaping to the fenders? (My cab is on new mounting hardware and secured down to the frame.)
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
1, sometimes you have to tweak them a little.. do it now, not after paint. mine lined up perfectly after paint
2, I'm a fan of every bolt hole had a reason.. use it.. Not for alignment purposes tho
for 3, see AXRacers post..
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ml#post5984604
sam
2, I'm a fan of every bolt hole had a reason.. use it.. Not for alignment purposes tho
for 3, see AXRacers post..
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ml#post5984604
sam
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Stony Plain,AB Canada
Thanks for the link...great write up! I'm assuming with the front tilt hood everything is the same until I mount the hardware for the hood.
Sdetweil, I searched for alignment ...how did you find this link?
Sdetweil, I searched for alignment ...how did you find this link?
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 370
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From: Stony Plain,AB Canada
I still think I need to pre fit ....not wanting any surprises! I have a little bit of customizing to do so there will be some adjustments to be made I'm guessing.
I somethimes feel that I want to just bolt it to gether and paint it sooooo much easier.
I somethimes feel that I want to just bolt it to gether and paint it sooooo much easier.
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
We painted everywhere, one piece at a time.
10 yrs start to finish, 5 yrs sitting while I worked on my kids cars.
Sam
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Weston-super-Mare (UK)
Always pre fit it'll save a lot of heartache if things go wrong later! It also serves as a good reminder of how everything goes back together, so the eventual final assembly will go easier.
Its also a good chance to check you have all the bits/bolts etc you will need in the correct sizes.
Its also a good chance to check you have all the bits/bolts etc you will need in the correct sizes.
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