Pulling off grill and core but leaving rest

[BigSix]

I'd like to remove as much as possible from the front of the body without removing the fenders and hood. This is to make room for engine swap and welding in new mounts. Can anyone who has done this let me know if I can remove the GMC grill and core support with the radiator? Basically giving me a straight in path with the new engine?

[Vinceg]

Is there a reason for not wanting to remove the whole front clip?

[BigSix]

I'm worried that without inner fenders I may exceed my boundaries with the fabrication work. I guess if its easiest to remove the whole front clip I could but I'm not sure where I could store that massive hood.

[Vinceg]

You can remove the rad support the way you want too. It is just more of a pain trying to dig through the undercoat material in the inside of the front fenders. I've always just pulled the whole front clip. Get a couple of buddies and set the whole thing in the bed of the truck.

[joedoh]

if you pull the clip, pull the hood first and the bumper second. with even just one buddy, you can get the clip off, engine out, and clip back on in under 2 hrs. being able to walk around the engine and disconnect stuff is INVALUABLE.

I assume you are talking about neighborhood/neighbor problems by "exceeding your boundaries for fabrication". I used to have a neighbor who called the city every time i even had the gate open to the back yard. I got tired of explaining to the compliance officer that I was within my right to have a non running vehicle behind a gate and past the front corner of the house.