Front fender gap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shrunken66stroker · 08-19-2011, 11:29 PM

Has anyone tightened up the front fender gap. I did another quick chop to see what it would look like and I think it's worth doing but I'd love to see some pics of the finished product if anyone has them. I know it will look a little different when the front bumper is on but I plan on extending the ends to match the fender.

**scotts62** · 08-20-2011, 08:47 AM

I like it

badblu97 · 08-20-2011, 09:16 AM

Man I must not be seeing it, looks like the same pic twice!

Northern lights · 08-20-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badblu97

Man I must not be seeing it, looks like the same pic twice!

Glad I'm not the only one.

P_A · 08-20-2011, 10:34 AM

He moved the front of the wheel opening back toward the tire. It makes the wheel look centered in the wheel opening. I like it.

Northern lights · 08-20-2011, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P_A

He moved the front of the wheel opening back toward the tire. It makes the wheel look centered in the wheel opening. I like it.

Ah yes, I see. Thanks. I was looking at the gaps AROUND the fender (fender to hood, fender to door)

smilts60 · 08-20-2011, 10:45 AM

How would you go about doing that? I do like it just confused on how to do it..

chevyrestoguy · 08-20-2011, 10:51 AM

I like that idea a lot. Most people don't recognize that gap when a truck is sitting at stock height, but when you lower the truck where the tire is deep within the wheel opening, it stands out like a sore thumb. I'm a real stickler about details like that. I've seen some trucks that look like the wheel is 3" too far back in the wheel opening, and once you notice it, you can't stop looking at it.

Some trucks really exaggerate that detail when lowered, such as the '47-'55 AD trucks, and especially the '53-'56 Ford F-100 trucks.

I think you're on to an excellent idea, shrunken66stroker. I say go for it!

I love what you've done to your truck so far. It's going to be incredible.

shrunken66stroker · 08-20-2011, 12:47 PM

This is how I'm going to do it. The black line is where I'll cut, the 3" in red will be cut out, the fender slid back and the white gap will be left to fill.

samuellg1977 · 08-20-2011, 01:04 PM

I like it a lot. Really cleans up the front fender-well. It pulls your eye to the center of the wheel, and not the frame rail.

Apache63 · 08-20-2011, 01:18 PM

I like the idea!!!!!!!!!

SulphuriousSam · 08-20-2011, 01:44 PM

that looks ten times better to me. Amazing what a couple inches of extra steel will do huh? I'm really looking forward to seeing this one all finished

OneCoWBoY1992 · 08-20-2011, 02:27 PM

like the look but what if you flared the bottom out look like IMO

chad64chevy · 08-20-2011, 03:19 PM

i like its idea it does center the wheel in the wheel opening! another idea i got to add to the list of mods. ill be doing! i got another fender i can cut up! thanks shrunken66stroker! theres alot of great ideas and skilled people on this site!

badblu97 · 08-20-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P_A

He moved the front of the wheel opening back toward the tire. It makes the wheel look centered in the wheel opening. I like it.

oooooohhhhhhh Thank you!!

likaroc13 · 08-20-2011, 05:34 PM

great, innovative idea...i know i've read about people moving the crossmember up an inch or so when doing front suspension swaps, just to get the wheels more centered....this looks like another great way to accomplish the same thing

smilts60 · 08-20-2011, 08:21 PM

Ahh ok cool. I like the fact that besides just centering the wheel it shortens the wheel well which to me looks way to long on these trucks. For sure going on my list of mods. My bumper is chrome though. But not sure if the 3 inchs will look that bad with the stock bumper.

**joedoh** · 08-20-2011, 08:28 PM

looks good! I have though of pulling the wheel arch down a little too, by adding a strip of metal above it, to hide more rim/tire.

markeb01 · 08-20-2011, 11:14 PM

I really like the idea. Looks like it should have been made that way in the first place. It might require lengthening the bumper, but it could possibly look just as natural with the stock bumper, showing just a little more fender between the bumper and tire.

BMERDOC · 08-20-2011, 11:18 PM

Looks god without the bumpe rbut if you plan to put it back on lets see it that way. May the bumper would require stretchin an equal amount to look right?

**scotts62** · 08-20-2011, 11:27 PM

I cheated and moved my cross member forward when i did the frame but thats a pretty good idea there.

LostMy65 · 08-20-2011, 11:36 PM

will this mean the hood will appear to stick out further, or do you plan on shortening the hood that same amount?
Posted via Mobile Device

LostMy65 · 08-20-2011, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrunken66stroker

This is how I'm going to do it. The black line is where I'll cut, the 3" in red will be cut out, the fender slid back and the white gap will be left to fill.

Oh, I see now.

Actually, doing it that way, I don't think the bumper will be an issue either.
Posted via Mobile Device

shrunken66stroker · 08-21-2011, 12:23 AM

I've got two bumpers so I'll cut the ends off of one and extend the other on both sides. I'd do a quick mock up, but I plan on tightening the bumper up in the front which requires cutting and shortening the frame in front of the radiator core. I'm only going to move it in an inch or so and that will put it closer to where it needs to be in relation to the fender well. I may end up cutting some speed holes in that heavy sum-b!tch too.

BMERDOC · 08-21-2011, 12:44 AM

I think it'll look sweet. You've got a great idea. My input was to make sure it looks good with the bumper. Every Hot Rod should have the bumpers hugging the body tight. Set the bumper tight how you want it and you may not have to stretch the ends. If you squeaze the opening a coupla inches like you want and tighten the bumper to the body you may not have to strectch the bumper.

08-19-2011, 11:29 PM	#1
shrunken66stroker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Las Vegas, Nv Posts: 954	Front fender gap Has anyone tightened up the front fender gap. I did another quick chop to see what it would look like and I think it's worth doing but I'd love to see some pics of the finished product if anyone has them. I know it will look a little different when the front bumper is on but I plan on extending the ends to match the fender. Attached Images __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...54#post3194654

08-20-2011, 08:47 AM	#2
scotts62 One day... Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tuttle, Ok Posts: 9,243	Re: Front fender gap I like it __________________ Scott 93 crew cab build Project 62 Last edited by scotts62; 08-20-2011 at 11:24 PM.

08-20-2011, 09:16 AM	#3
badblu97 Double 6's Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winter Haven, FL Posts: 349	Re: Front fender gap Man I must not be seeing it, looks like the same pic twice! __________________ Street Glidin! 1966 LWB Custom Cab (sold) 1982 Short Fleet (under the knife) 1998 S10 2wd Fleet 2007 Chevy Silverado Crew 2007 Harley Davidson Street Glide

08-20-2011, 10:34 AM	#5
P_A Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: huntsville,al Posts: 75	Re: Front fender gap He moved the front of the wheel opening back toward the tire. It makes the wheel look centered in the wheel opening. I like it. __________________ Paul 1964 C10 SWB Fleetside-396/M21 4 speed 1957 Belair-283/M21 4 speed 1972 Camaro

08-20-2011, 10:45 AM	#7
smilts60 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Big Spring Tx Posts: 127	Re: Front fender gap How would you go about doing that? I do like it just confused on how to do it..

08-20-2011, 10:51 AM	#8
chevyrestoguy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: apple valley, ca Posts: 2,670	Re: Front fender gap I like that idea a lot. Most people don't recognize that gap when a truck is sitting at stock height, but when you lower the truck where the tire is deep within the wheel opening, it stands out like a sore thumb. I'm a real stickler about details like that. I've seen some trucks that look like the wheel is 3" too far back in the wheel opening, and once you notice it, you can't stop looking at it. Some trucks really exaggerate that detail when lowered, such as the '47-'55 AD trucks, and especially the '53-'56 Ford F-100 trucks. I think you're on to an excellent idea, shrunken66stroker. I say go for it! I love what you've done to your truck so far. It's going to be incredible. __________________ Check out my latest endeavor: https://roundsixpod.com My build threads: '55 Chevy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=247512 '64 C-20: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446527

08-20-2011, 12:47 PM	#9
shrunken66stroker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Las Vegas, Nv Posts: 954	Re: Front fender gap This is how I'm going to do it. The black line is where I'll cut, the 3" in red will be cut out, the fender slid back and the white gap will be left to fill. Attached Images __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...54#post3194654

08-20-2011, 01:04 PM	#10
samuellg1977 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Oak Grove, Kentucky Posts: 226	Re: Front fender gap I like it a lot. Really cleans up the front fender-well. It pulls your eye to the center of the wheel, and not the frame rail.

08-20-2011, 01:18 PM	#11
Apache63 1# Drobmember in Germany Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wuppertal , Germany Posts: 518	Re: Front fender gap I like the idea!!!!!!!!! __________________ Pat

08-20-2011, 01:44 PM	#12
SulphuriousSam Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sulphur, OK Posts: 316	Re: Front fender gap that looks ten times better to me. Amazing what a couple inches of extra steel will do huh? I'm really looking forward to seeing this one all finished __________________ 1966 C10 LWB, 283, 3 on the tree (lots of work to do!) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=471348 2001 Suburban daily driver 2008 HHR (wife's ride)

08-20-2011, 02:27 PM	#13
OneCoWBoY1992 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 27	Re: Front fender gap like the look but what if you flared the bottom out look like IMO

08-20-2011, 03:19 PM	#14
chad64chevy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: tulsa,ok. Posts: 1,803	Re: Front fender gap i like its idea it does center the wheel in the wheel opening! another idea i got to add to the list of mods. ill be doing! i got another fender i can cut up! thanks shrunken66stroker! theres alot of great ideas and skilled people on this site!

08-20-2011, 05:34 PM	#16
likaroc13 Rollin' Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 5,371	Re: Front fender gap great, innovative idea...i know i've read about people moving the crossmember up an inch or so when doing front suspension swaps, just to get the wheels more centered....this looks like another great way to accomplish the same thing

08-20-2011, 08:21 PM	#17
smilts60 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Big Spring Tx Posts: 127	Re: Front fender gap Ahh ok cool. I like the fact that besides just centering the wheel it shortens the wheel well which to me looks way to long on these trucks. For sure going on my list of mods. My bumper is chrome though. But not sure if the 3 inchs will look that bad with the stock bumper.

08-20-2011, 08:28 PM	#18
joedoh Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Doodah Kansas Posts: 7,774	Re: Front fender gap looks good! I have though of pulling the wheel arch down a little too, by adding a strip of metal above it, to hide more rim/tire. __________________ the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393



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08-20-2011, 11:14 PM	#19
markeb01 Senior Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 8,356	Re: Front fender gap I really like the idea. Looks like it should have been made that way in the first place. It might require lengthening the bumper, but it could possibly look just as natural with the stock bumper, showing just a little more fender between the bumper and tire.

08-20-2011, 11:18 PM	#20
BMERDOC Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Richmond,Va Posts: 2,934	Re: Front fender gap Looks god without the bumpe rbut if you plan to put it back on lets see it that way. May the bumper would require stretchin an equal amount to look right? __________________ Nick Carter 1967 C10 Short bed Fleetside Project Cheap Thrills! 2WD C10 Modern/Performance Alignments Easiest Alignment Ever!

08-20-2011, 11:27 PM	#21
scotts62 One day... Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tuttle, Ok Posts: 9,243	Re: Front fender gap I cheated and moved my cross member forward when i did the frame but thats a pretty good idea there. __________________ Scott 93 crew cab build Project 62

08-20-2011, 11:36 PM	#22
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,530	Re: Front fender gap will this mean the hood will appear to stick out further, or do you plan on shortening the hood that same amount? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

08-21-2011, 12:23 AM	#24
shrunken66stroker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Las Vegas, Nv Posts: 954	Re: Front fender gap I've got two bumpers so I'll cut the ends off of one and extend the other on both sides. I'd do a quick mock up, but I plan on tightening the bumper up in the front which requires cutting and shortening the frame in front of the radiator core. I'm only going to move it in an inch or so and that will put it closer to where it needs to be in relation to the fender well. I may end up cutting some speed holes in that heavy sum-b!tch too. __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...54#post3194654

08-21-2011, 12:44 AM	#25
BMERDOC Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Richmond,Va Posts: 2,934	Re: Front fender gap I think it'll look sweet. You've got a great idea. My input was to make sure it looks good with the bumper. Every Hot Rod should have the bumpers hugging the body tight. Set the bumper tight how you want it and you may not have to stretch the ends. If you squeaze the opening a coupla inches like you want and tighten the bumper to the body you may not have to strectch the bumper. __________________ Nick Carter 1967 C10 Short bed Fleetside Project Cheap Thrills! 2WD C10 Modern/Performance Alignments Easiest Alignment Ever! Last edited by BMERDOC; 08-21-2011 at 01:11 AM.

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