FuzzFace2 Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Nice. Cory, as usual, is inspiring me. However, I cant seem to catch a break to capitalize on the inspiration. I wonder if my brackets are rusted out. Fenders seem solid to me. I will have to check. Nice job Cory. Mine did have some rust but not bad to the point needing replacing. How did you attach the plates to the fenders? Looks like maybe pop rivets? If so did you fit the fenders to the side panels and fit the SS plates in place and mark the fenders where they should go? I ask because if the holes were drilled for the bed side studs and then put on the fenders in the wrong place the holes & studs will not line up. Dave ---- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 More Flareside rebuilding adventures this morning while...er...I mean before work! For those not familiar with them, the Flareside fiberglass fenders have metal brackets at the front and rear of the fender, and they are notorious for rusting away...at least up here. All four of them on my 1984 were completely disintegrated and rusted away. They were bad enough that somebody had put some extra screws right through the fenders to keep them from flapping around. Anyway, I had planned to use the brackets from a spare set of fenders I had, but after removing the brackets I found that three of the four were rusted out and were beyond use. Of the one that I was left, I used it as a template to make all new ones out of stainless. Interesting to note...they look like they're 90 degree bends, but they're not...they're tighter...more like 85 degrees. Got the new brackets all installed and dropped the fenders and steps off for paint this morning. When they actually get around to painting them is another story, but hopefully it will be quick;). Anyway, they should be good now for another 35 years and many more on top of that!! Stupid rust. Well done! Yes, you could sell those. When you need some you need some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted June 25, 2019 Author Share Posted June 25, 2019 How did you attach the plates to the fenders? Looks like maybe pop rivets? Dave, They are attached with 1/4" stainless bolts and nuts. The factory brackets were attached with rivets and some kind of adhesive that resembled body fill. I just put the 1/4" bolts in the same holes the rivets were in. Between the holes in the fenders and the holes in the brackets, there was little to no play for adjustment, so all I really did was check to make sure the the brackets were not sticking proud of the fender edges. I drilled the holes in the new bracket to directly copy the original bracket, and the mounting holes are quite large...maybe 1/2"?...So there's lots of wiggle room there. If I have any fitment issues I'll just "adjust" the problem holes with a die grinder. However, I expect they'll be OK. There was quite a bit of room for error there. I would think most people south of me...or south of the northern states will not have to replace these brackets. Mine were especially bad. Below is a picture of one of the better ones that was on my truck...lol. The ones on the driver's side were not in this good condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted June 25, 2019 Author Share Posted June 25, 2019 Nice. Cory, as usual, is inspiring me. However, I cant seem to catch a break to capitalize on the inspiration. I wonder if my brackets are rusted out. Fenders seem solid to me. I will have to check. If you look in there with a flashlight you should be able to see them OK. The dirt and road grime does build-up in there though, so that hide the rust. Speaking of inspiration...mine usually comes because I have no other choice...lol. Too bad the value is still so low on the Bullnose trucks. I paid too much for the old thing as it was, and I'll have way WAY more time and money into it than it will EVER be worth...lol, so I guess we can just say we're doing it to save another truck from the crusher, and to relive some fond memories from the 1980's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuzzFace2 Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 How did you attach the plates to the fenders? Looks like maybe pop rivets? Dave, They are attached with 1/4" stainless bolts and nuts. The factory brackets were attached with rivets and some kind of adhesive that resembled body fill. I just put the 1/4" bolts in the same holes the rivets were in. Between the holes in the fenders and the holes in the brackets, there was little to no play for adjustment, so all I really did was check to make sure the the brackets were not sticking proud of the fender edges. I drilled the holes in the new bracket to directly copy the original bracket, and the mounting holes are quite large...maybe 1/2"?...So there's lots of wiggle room there. If I have any fitment issues I'll just "adjust" the problem holes with a die grinder. However, I expect they'll be OK. There was quite a bit of room for error there. I would think most people south of me...or south of the northern states will not have to replace these brackets. Mine were especially bad. Below is a picture of one of the better ones that was on my truck...lol. The ones on the driver's side were not in this good condition. It sound like you have it covered it was more for others that may try and make them and have them on the fenders then find out the bracket is to high or low to match the bed side studs. Nice. Cory, as usual, is inspiring me. However, I cant seem to catch a break to capitalize on the inspiration. I wonder if my brackets are rusted out. Fenders seem solid to me. I will have to check. Speaking of inspiration...mine usually comes because I have no other choice...lol. Too bad the value is still so low on the Bullnose trucks. I paid too much for the old thing as it was, and I'll have way WAY more time and money into it than it will EVER be worth...lol, so I guess we can just say we're doing it to save another truck from the crusher, and to relive some fond memories from the 1980's. What I am not going to make a ton of money if I sell my truck So my full rebuild is for the love of it and to keep me poor then Dave ---- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted June 25, 2019 Author Share Posted June 25, 2019 Nice. Cory, as usual, is inspiring me. However, I cant seem to catch a break to capitalize on the inspiration. I wonder if my brackets are rusted out. Fenders seem solid to me. I will have to check. If you look in there with a flashlight you should be able to see them OK. The dirt and road grime does build-up in there though, so that hide the rust. Speaking of inspiration...mine usually comes because I have no other choice...lol. Too bad the value is still so low on the Bullnose trucks. I paid too much for the old thing as it was, and I'll have way WAY more time and money into it than it will EVER be worth...lol, so I guess we can just say we're doing it to save another truck from the crusher, and to relive some fond memories from the 1980's. Well, here's goes nothing...first test-fit with the new wood floor (Marine plywood). I know a lot of people will not approve...lol (I know, it should be oak), but it rolled off the assembly line with a plywood floor it will be rolling out of my garage with a plywood floor. Now, get it all fitted, drilled, and installed...and then turn around and remove it all to varnish it next week. So much to do, and so little time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Well, here's goes nothing...first test-fit with the new wood floor (Marine plywood). I know a lot of people will not approve...lol (I know, it should be oak), but it rolled off the assembly line with a plywood floor it will be rolling out of my garage with a plywood floor. Now, get it all fitted, drilled, and installed...and then turn around and remove it all to varnish it next week. So much to do, and so little time. I love it when a plan comes together!!!!! Looking GOOD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpin Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Well, here's goes nothing...first test-fit with the new wood floor (Marine plywood). I know a lot of people will not approve...lol (I know, it should be oak), but it rolled off the assembly line with a plywood floor it will be rolling out of my garage with a plywood floor. Now, get it all fitted, drilled, and installed...and then turn around and remove it all to varnish it next week. So much to do, and so little time. Looks great! That’s the catch with these trucks and Broncos. Might as well keep them, you’ll never recoup your time and money! So keeping them nice as you are is the cherry on top! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1986F150Six Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 Looks great! That’s the catch with these trucks and Broncos. Might as well keep them, you’ll never recoup your time and money! So keeping them nice as you are is the cherry on top! Looks great, Cory! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oz EconolineF100 Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 Well, here's goes nothing...first test-fit with the new wood floor (Marine plywood). I know a lot of people will not approve...lol (I know, it should be oak), but it rolled off the assembly line with a plywood floor it will be rolling out of my garage with a plywood floor. Now, get it all fitted, drilled, and installed...and then turn around and remove it all to varnish it next week. So much to do, and so little time. Cory is that 3 pieces of ply wood under the strips? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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