removing firewall and fenders as a whole unit

[mattmctree@gmail.com]

ive got all body components off of the truck except for the dash/fire wall and the fenders. is it possible to remove it as a whole or do i need to take the fenders off of the firewall? id like to try and keep everything together so i dont have to undoo the wiring harness. when pulling the firewall do i need to pull the steering column or would i be able to slide it back off the column if i take the steering wheel off?

[SBP78g60]

Remove them mate and just mark what's what on the wiring harness, specially if you want to slide it back and over the steering column, easier to handle and the 'fenders' mostly get their strength from being bolted all together to the firewall and also to the front grill section then across to the other side, maybe best to not risk damage trying to handle it complete, just my opinion tho, and also the steering column is easy to remove anyway,

Have fun!

[mattmctree@gmail.com]

To remove the column. I just unbolt it from the frame near the front and slide it out ?

[SBP78g60]

yeah disconnect from the draglink, i think there like a clamp thing as it goes through the firewall that holds it in place by memory..i think. but to be honest, i had my whole front end off first and i slid the cab over it, but im pretty sure you could unbolt it first? someone else might know

[moore_rb]

Hey Matt-

Leave the column bolted to the steering box, and remove them both together, and then you can remove the grill shell, followed by the firewall and front fenders as a single unit.

FWIW- this is the easiest way to remove the front half of the body IMHO - unbolting the fenders from the firewall opens a whole can of "more broken bolt" worms

[mattmctree@gmail.com]

awesome thanks. i will see if i can figure it out

[SBP78g60]

i stand corrected then, seemed the easyest option to me when i did mine, trust the experts tho maybe i do things the hard way

[mattmctree@gmail.com]

ive got the first 2 bolts for the steering box freed up and the nuts off the rear 2 bolts. for the life of me i cannot get then to free up to get them through the frame. ive soaked them in oil for a day and they still wont budge with a blow of a hammer anyone with similar issues? how did you get them out

[Johnny Roadkill]

I found some bolts needed extreme patience and persistence - heat may help if you can apply it safely. Repeated soaking in suitable spray and hammer blows otherwise.

Rear leaf spring pins on mine were the worst.

Good luck!

Cheers,
D