55.2-59 front clip install help

[Missyblue]

Thanks to you all my transmission linkage is done and the column is mounted and steering shaft done sooooooo.........I finally .......I think maybe can install my front clip!!!!
Mine is a 1957 gmc... Curious of any tips or advice. I tried to take good notes when pulling it apart but that was like 2 years ago and it wasn't done well or all complete the 1st time either. So....hoping for advice.
1. instal inner to outer fender....I currently have the inner fenders separated from the outer fenders due to having to cut for mustang ii. So not sure if best to install inner to outer 1st and then attach to truck or if it matters? I know I have more fine tuning on the inner fenders to clear all the new brake stuff and such.

2. fender with spacers it had before at the Cowell seems tooo low, like hangs a half inch below the driver door. but wonder if this adjustments need to wait till its all strapped together and then start fine tuning. Don't need show perfect lines but not tearing up fender with door haha

3. hood brace connects the fenders together but would it be better to do radiator support 1st since it centers everything?


Any photos of the front pieces together would be helpful. I know I have a few saved from when people helped try to decipher all the parts in the bed of the truck I bought but haven't found much for detail shots on vehicles that shows final placement

Thank you!

[57tailgater]

That is not a stock radiator support for a '57 1/2 ton. May be for a COE but I don't know for sure. Definitely not for a 1/2 ton. It should look more like this (borrowed from Dan In Pasadena's thread). There is then a panel that goes clear across between the fenders below the grill.

Looks at this link: https://www.trifive.com/d1/55-59Assy.pdf and refer to section 13.

[Missyblue]

Originally Posted by 57tailgater

That is not a stock radiator support for a '57 1/2 ton. May be for a COE but I don't know for sure. Definitely not for a 1/2 ton. It should look more like this (borrowed from Dan In Pasadena's thread). There is then a panel that goes clear across between the fenders below the grill.

Looks at this link: https://www.trifive.com/d1/55-59Assy.pdf and refer to section 13.

Thank you I appreciate it. I should have specified mine is a gmc so a little different.but you reminded me I think I had a link to a gmc manual maybe....

[57tailgater]

Yeah I found a pic showing your setup and I can see the GMC mustache. I didn’t know what they looked like - a lot different! Someone on here should know.

[dsraven]

here are some pics of my frame swapped 57 gmc. I have the original rad support pics as well, just gotta find them.
it seems like some GMC's had the Chevy rad support, and some had the GMC support made from a bunch of smaller parts bolted together.

[dsraven]

here you go, found them
stock new Chevy rad support just like the old GMC one that came out.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by 57tailgater

That is not a stock radiator support for a '57 1/2 ton. May be for a COE but I don't know for sure. Definitely not for a 1/2 ton. It should look more like this (borrowed from Dan In Pasadena's thread). There is then a panel that goes clear across between the fenders below the grill.

Looks at this link: https://www.trifive.com/d1/55-59Assy.pdf and refer to section 13.

Ha! I haven’t been to this thread before and as I’m going through it I thought, “That REALLY looks like my truck!

[57tailgater]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Ha! I haven’t been to this thread before and as I’m going through it I thought, “That REALLY looks like my truck!

Hope you don't mind!