Fender removal

[Powerstroke94]

What all needs to come off to remove the drivers side fender?

 

[steelandcanvas]

Disconnect the wires going to the flasher box, left turn signal, and all nuts and bolts fastening the fender to the rest of the truck.

 

[phil2968]

Don't forget the skin on your knuckles! It may come off in the process.

 

[lavarok]

Speaking of fenders, what do you guys use for a gasket between the cab and the fender on the one spot where they use one? When I replaced mine, I undercoated both sides and let that cure. Then I just bolted it up. Good move or bad? I presume the the material is vinyl or canvas originally and is there to allow some flex movement. What say ye?

edit: I am not referring to the front rubber piece.

 

[Barrman]

Spray the nuts going into the cab with some kind of penetrating oil before you try taking them off. Those captured nuts in there are real hard to get at when you have to replace a broken bolt or spinning nut.

Here is a thread I did way back when about them:

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/paint-bodywork/16052-i-hate-captured-nuts.html

 

[Wildchild467]

Spray the nuts going into the cab with some kind of penetrating oil before you try taking them off. Those captured nuts in there are real hard to get at when you have to replace a broken bolt or spinning nut.

Here is a thread I did way back when about them:

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/paint-bodywork/16052-i-hate-captured-nuts.html

definately take your time taking them off,if need be, tighten a little first sometimes helps break rust loose before you even start to loosen. then loosen a little and dont turn too much so you dont rip apart the captured nut. spray with lube, back and forth a little more, spray, repeat. if the bolt turns a little bit in the nut, chances are patience will let you get it out. maybe even drill a small hole in the back to stick the straw in for PB Blaster and give them a soak.

 

[Katahdin]

Yeah, I broke one of my captured nuts. I ended up just drilling a hole all the way through the channel and installing a longer bolt in that spot. This was before I knew how to replace them with a welder.

The spring-charged bolts and wire retainers were a pain (rust), I ended up replacing those with new hardware and zip ties.

For the fender/cab gasket I used a strip of stick-on door gasket material from lowes or home depot.

 

[Recovry4x4]

If you have a heater, it just got a whole lot worse. If not, not a bad deal. Don't forget the headlight wires too. No better way to deal with IP problems. I pull the fenders when I do an engine swap too. So much easier.

 

[M35A2-AZ]

Not to big of a job to pull the left finder. I just did the left and right side on the truck I am redoing. The truck had a heater, but when I put the truck back together the heater is not going in. Not much need for it here in AZ.

Just keep track of all your bolts and were they go. Also watch out for the front lights wires.
Good luck!!

 

[Powerstroke94]

Well I have a heater lol.

 

[wreckerman893]

The heater can be relocated into the cab......I pulled mine to replace the IP......it ain't going back in the engine compartment.